Just as we’ve all finally recovered from one celebration of excessive spending, we are thrown headfirst into another – Valentines Day.
This festival has moved on from its mishmash of dubious origins – a Roman festival which involved whipping women with the skin of sacrificed animals before a Love Island style ‘coupling’, and a few stories about executed saints – into a billion dollar industry.
While some folk will be indulging in anatomically inaccurate heart-shaped gifts and champagne this weekend, and others will be revelling in their singledom with a ‘galentines’ brunch, here’s a wee list of date ideas that won’t break the bank.
1. Cook a banging breakfast for your honey
Nothing says ‘I love you’ like the gift of food. Why not whip up some pancakes, eggs benny, or a full english feast for your favourite person. Top it off with a mimosa, bloody mary or good old-fashioned builders tea and your partner will be jumping for joy (or rolling out of bed gratefully, at the very least).
Cheaper than a restaurant brunch and you don’t even have to get dressed!
2. Go book shopping then get coffee
As a pair of literature students with matching addictions for books, this is Nic and I’s perfect date. Both of us could get lost in the shelves of a bookstore for hours and neither of us are capable of leaving empty handed, so this is a favourite pastime of ours.
Once you’ve landed upon your perfect next story (or philosophic treatise if you’re Nic), find yourself a comfortable spot in a cafe, compare notes on your new reads, and get stuck right in.
There is nothing like an afternoon of comfortable silence, good coffee, and a new book to bring you closer together.
3. Visit an art gallery (and take it in turns pretending you're an art critic who knows what you're talking about)
This was a favourite game of ours in the early days of our relationship. Find yourself a free art gallery (GoMA or Kelvingrove are great spots in Glasgow, DCA in Dundee) and take it in turns to interpret each piece of art as creatively as you like.
The most outlandishly convincing critique wins.
4. Go for a romantic walk (to a graveyard)
This was actually Nic and I’s first date. I was excited to be a tourist in my own city after a year abroad exploring Spain, and Nic thought I was a lot edgier than I actually am to invite him out for a romantic stroll through the Necropolis.
It doesn’t need to be in a graveyard but enjoying some fresh air together in a local park, or wandering the streets, choosing your route at random, is a great way to explore new places and give yourselves time to just chat to each other.
Exercising together has even been shown to boost your romantic attraction for a partner, so get power-walking and you might just fall in love!
5. Climbing together (or just for once participating in your loved one's hobby that you secretly hate)
If you google ‘unusual date ideas’, 8/10 of the listicles will suggest climbing as a wonderful bonding opportunity. Its an adrenaline rush, a trust test and a sweaty workout all in one – what more could you want?
My boyfriend loves climbing, its one of his favourite activities and he is always trying to convince me to join. I’ve been once or twice and I hate it, its my idea of hell.
But, stepping out of your comfort zone and sharing your partner’s hobby with them for an hour or so is a genuinely lovely thing to do. Let them teach you how to do it and show off their skills. You never know, you might even love it!
Don’t worry if you don’t though, its your turn to drag them along to your thing next!
6. Splitting the bill
This is probably something you do all the time anyway, but if you are going to go out for a valentines dinner, why not make it collaborative?
One of you chooses the restaurant, the other chooses a bar or a fun dessert place. Spoil each other and split the bill down the middle for a more affordable dinner date.
7. Hang out with your friends
Why not skew the whole romantic performance of the day and get a group of your favourite people together for some drinks and a laugh? Friendship is the basis of any solid relationship and, as much as its important to spend time apart with your own friends, socialising together allows you to see you partner in another light and get to know them better.
But don’t just take it from me, in the words of the Spice Girls: ‘if you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends’.
8. Revisit your first date
Remember the honeymoon phase? Back when you used to worry about what to wear on a date and neither of you had smelt the other’s farts?
Think about what you used to do back then, did you have a favourite hangout spot? A regular cafe or bar?
Why not revisit some of those places, reminisce about your early dates and the way you first met, and imagine you still lived in a world where you didn’t know what they look like on the toilet.
9. Do that thing you've always meant to do but never got round to
If you’re anything like me, you probably have a list of things you’d just love to do, or new restaurant you’d just love to try. (Mine includes the Kinetic Theatre in the Trongate, the Glasgow Science Centre, Tennents Brewery tour, and far too many food spots to list here.) But when it comes to decision time, you end up doing the same old thing as always.
Together, write down all of the things you fancy trying sometime and next time you’re stuck for something to do on a lazy Saturday afternoon, all you need to do is choose something and commit!
10. Get drunk and play cards
Now, be warned, this is a cute date but it could end in a fight if you are both very competitive. Next time you’re out for drinks, take a pack of cards along for a little light entertainment.
Nic and I’s favourite game is gin rummy and we like to make a tournament out of it. Agree the number of games you’re going to play and decide on a forfeit prize. Loser has to buy the winner a drink, or breakfast the next day, or something more creative – it’s totally up to you!
Remember to keep score after each game and get completely carried away with the competition. It makes for a good laugh, trust me.
11. Pot luck dinner for two
Cooking a delicious dinner for your loved one is such a romantic idea, but a pain in the ass to pull off if you’re not a natural born chef. So why not share the pressure? Someone supplies the main and the drinks, the other brings a starter and dessert.
It doesn’t matter if neither of you is a culinary genius, stick to something simple and give it your best go. Both of you investing a bit of time and effort to make a great date night shows a shared commitment and level of care for the other that won’t go missed.
And if it all goes tits up, there’s always Deliveroo.
This Valentines Day, will you be indulgent and enamoured, or thrifty and thoughtful? Let me know how you are celebrating (or not) in the comments below and tell me your favourite idea!
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Perfect!!! Love these suggestions!! 💚