Do you cringe as Valentine’s Day comes around, knowing it tends to be a big dollar “holiday”? We don’t really like to go out to eat on Valentine’s Day because many restaurants are packed. Nothing says a peaceful romantic dinner like a packed and sometimes noisy restaurant, but we can’t exactly afford a small romantic restaurant either, so oftentimes we make dinner together at home. Here is what we did for a budget friendly Valentine’s Day. (See here for 24 more frugal Valentine’s Day ideas.)
We swap baby sitting with another couple – nothing cuts down your budget costs like free babysitting. Then you just decide what works best date wise for each other. This year we are actually celebrating on Valentine’s Day because my sister’s husband has to work that night. We will watch their kids another day for them. This also means you can have a quiet kid free house.
Eat at home. Buy take-out, steaks, sushi, whatever is a special dinner for the two of you. Eat at home and save some money. If you need to you can even buy some candles and a nice tablecloth and still come out cheaper than a nice restaurant.
Our Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day Menu
Steak w/ garlic herb butter or Blue Cheese Spread
Twice Baked Potatoes
Salad w/ Balsamic Dressing
Molten Lava Cakes
Whatever you do, have a Happy Valentine’s Day. Remember to celebrate you and your partner’s relationship now and every day. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Love is about the little things -the special thought and care you give each other.
~Dave & Heather
Check out this post for 24 frugal Valentine’s Day Ideas.
Another Valentine’s Day Meal Plan
I don’t remember the last time I went out on Valentine’s Day. I had overpriced and limited menus. Great ideas!
Valentines Day is our anniversary, so its always a special day. Thanks for the great ideas here.
We will be in Seaside Oregon for a Basketball Tournament this year! LOL ….AGAIN! I love your simple and frugal ideas Heather! That’s me for sure 😀 Simple can be just as romantic <3
Sounds like a great meal. We made it a tradition to have lasagna and salad for our Valentine’s day.
I prefer to spend the evening at home with my family than crammed in a busy restaurant. This menu sounds absolutely devine!
Hubby got me concert tickets this year for Valentine’s Day. There are several great restaurants right inside the venue, so I am sure we will be picking one of these.
I am keeping your steak recipe in mind for our next date night at home!
Great ideas! We never go out on Valentine’s Day–too crowded, too expensive–so I will be trying out some of these ideas, thanks!
I want to surprise my dh with a date night at home. I’ll order out from a local restaurant and have the kids go to bed early while we eat dinner.
Last year on Valentine’s Day, my husband grilled steaks and I set the table with some fun “sweet” treats for the whole family. We had such a great time and hope to do something like it this year, too.
My hubby calls it “made up love day” so we never eat out on Valentine’s – and it’s way too expensive! This year we’ll probably have dinner and a movie at home once the kids are in bed. I’m pinning your menu ideas!
We always stay in for Valentine’s Day. Much more romantic than fighting a crowded restaurant!
Agreed!
Steak is always a good meal for date night. We like to go out to eat for Valentine’s Day, but if we stay in, we need to try this recipe. 🙂
Whatever you do have a good time and make it full of love and memories.
I like this post and I have to bookmark these ideas to use all y ear long.
I actually prefer to do Valentine’s dinner at home. I think it’s romantic to cook a meal together. 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful plan! Our son has his birthday on Valentine’s Day, so festivities will abound 😉
You will have tons of fun!
I love the idea of date night babysitting swapping! It’s not like it HAS to be on the 14th – we are happy to celebrate whenever!
Amen! It is good to celebrate ALL YEAR!
The great thing about Valentine’s Day is that whether you do it big or small, the thought really is what counts. If you truly show someone how special they are, you really can’t go wrong with any gift!
Exactly!
sounds like a nice meal! We really do not do much for Valentine’s Day.
Nice menu! We will be celebrating at home!
Swapping babysitting – what a fantastic idea!!
We normally do not go out to eat on Valentines Day either. Thank you so much for the steak recipe. This seems like a doable menu I can do for us. I was really thinking of having a chef come to the house and cook for us….but if not this menu will be my go to menu.
Great tips.. thanks for sharing.. we aren’t sure if we are gonna have a special dinner or not.. we try to have special dinners every weekend…
that meal sounds perfect to me! we never go out ON valentine’s day
My husband will be working, I am sure. We usually save a gift card we received for Christmas and use it sometime around Valentine’s Day
My husband and I will also be celebrating at home with an extra special home cooked meal.
I love your menu. Sounds delicious!
Nice menu! I think having a nice dinner at home is definitely the way to go on Valentine’s Day. Restaurants are always so crowded that night.
We will be sitting at home with a great steak dinner also! Hope you have a great Valentines
We’ll be at home with the kids this year. Not sure if we’ll do something together. It’s a pretty busy weekend for us.