Sweet Ideas
Sam Nantz
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Opinion
With a low budget, it may be difficult to find something special to do with your loved one on Valentine's Day. However, here are a few inexpensive date ideas that will put you front and center with romance. This year the big day falls on a Sunday, so we are out of school and able to enjoy the winter weather.
Now of course there is old tried and true, dinner and a movie, but put a little spin on the night. Skip the drive-thru and even five-star dining in favor of a home cooked meal. There are so many easy recipes on the internet that it shouldn't be difficult to find something that even the most inexperienced cook can whip up. Also, for a low budget and easy recipe try something from, The Starving Student Cookbook, which offers both meat eating and vegetarian options with pictures and explanations for everything. These books can be purchased at any bookstore. Once dinner has been cooked, you need to present it, and presentation does matter. So try a scene straight from a movie and light candles, have flowers and even try playing some music. For a more lighthearted approach, indoor picnics are good options to change things up and can be brought to any room of the house!
Dinner is over and it was a great success, so a movie is always a good choice for those who like to keep warm. The American Film Institute did rate "Casablanca" as the best romantic movie, but for something a little more modern, try a romantic comedy with "The Ghost of Girlfriends Past". And course in theatres we have "When In Rome", "Valentine's Day", and "Leap Year". However, do not be pressured into seeing a romantic movie. It may be a nice treat to see the new slasher film your guy wants to check out, or the sappy drama your lady has been begging you to see.
There are plenty of nontraditional dates of course. Maybe try an ice skating date or a fun ride on a snowmobile for you snow bunnies. Trying activities your significant other loves is always a way to change things up and make their day special. Try a new type of cuisine if you want to go out for dinner, check out a play or other live theatre or even host a competition. Plan a scavenger hunt, making each other follow clues, or even try and out-cheese each other in the honor of the often mocked holiday. To out-cheese each other, keep track of who can use more corny jokes and cheesy lines during a movie, or over the course of the day (you are the wind beneath my wings).
And of course many couples love to exchange gifts for the day. Here are some suggestions if you are stuck. Talk to your partner and possibly agree to hand-make the gifts. Then head down to the craft store and make valentines, lists of reasons why you love each other, or even hand-made picture frames. If you are feeling extra creative, scrapbooks are always favorites. If you plan to purchase the gift from a store, remember bigger is not always better. Lingerie and jewelry are considered typical gifts; however it may be better to just stick with an engraved picture frame. Personalized gifts are usually a hit with anyone. As it turns out it is the thought that counts.
Now of course there is old tried and true, dinner and a movie, but put a little spin on the night. Skip the drive-thru and even five-star dining in favor of a home cooked meal. There are so many easy recipes on the internet that it shouldn't be difficult to find something that even the most inexperienced cook can whip up. Also, for a low budget and easy recipe try something from, The Starving Student Cookbook, which offers both meat eating and vegetarian options with pictures and explanations for everything. These books can be purchased at any bookstore. Once dinner has been cooked, you need to present it, and presentation does matter. So try a scene straight from a movie and light candles, have flowers and even try playing some music. For a more lighthearted approach, indoor picnics are good options to change things up and can be brought to any room of the house!
Dinner is over and it was a great success, so a movie is always a good choice for those who like to keep warm. The American Film Institute did rate "Casablanca" as the best romantic movie, but for something a little more modern, try a romantic comedy with "The Ghost of Girlfriends Past". And course in theatres we have "When In Rome", "Valentine's Day", and "Leap Year". However, do not be pressured into seeing a romantic movie. It may be a nice treat to see the new slasher film your guy wants to check out, or the sappy drama your lady has been begging you to see.
There are plenty of nontraditional dates of course. Maybe try an ice skating date or a fun ride on a snowmobile for you snow bunnies. Trying activities your significant other loves is always a way to change things up and make their day special. Try a new type of cuisine if you want to go out for dinner, check out a play or other live theatre or even host a competition. Plan a scavenger hunt, making each other follow clues, or even try and out-cheese each other in the honor of the often mocked holiday. To out-cheese each other, keep track of who can use more corny jokes and cheesy lines during a movie, or over the course of the day (you are the wind beneath my wings).
And of course many couples love to exchange gifts for the day. Here are some suggestions if you are stuck. Talk to your partner and possibly agree to hand-make the gifts. Then head down to the craft store and make valentines, lists of reasons why you love each other, or even hand-made picture frames. If you are feeling extra creative, scrapbooks are always favorites. If you plan to purchase the gift from a store, remember bigger is not always better. Lingerie and jewelry are considered typical gifts; however it may be better to just stick with an engraved picture frame. Personalized gifts are usually a hit with anyone. As it turns out it is the thought that counts.