Find affordable ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day or date nights this year.
Whether date nights are few and far between or a regular occurrence in your diary, we all know the importance of making time to connect with your spouse. But when you’re trying to save money, date nights might be one of the first things you sacrifice.
What if we told you connection doesn’t have to come with a big price tag?
At CAP, we know financial pressure can put strain on relationships, which is why we want to help you find simple, affordable ways to spend valuable time with those you love on Valentine’s Day and all year round.
Need some help planning your spending?
Our free budget worksheet can help you see what you’ve got coming in and what’s going out, helping you save up for moments that matter with your loved ones.Cheap date night ideas
1. Have a themed night at home
Pick a country, decade or film genre and build a night around it using what you already have. Watch a film you both love, cook a simple meal together and talk about your memories of that place or theme, taking turns to host. Make your themed night extra fancy by being creative, such as making your own DIY charcuterie boards with the snacks you already have in the cupboard.
2. Do the ‘paint your partner challenge’
Get cheap small canvases or paper, paints, pens and take on the playful social media challenge to paint each other. Share a laugh over the results and display your creations somewhere in the house as a memory of your cheap date night at home.
3. Go for a walk with purpose
A walk can become a great cheap date idea when you give it a purpose. This might be:
- Exploring a new area near you using a free version of a walking app like AllTrails.
- Doing a fun treasure hunt with Geocaching.
- Revisiting a spot that means a lot to you both or has special memories.
- Grabbing a coffee from a local cafe or filling up a flask to make your walk extra special.
4. Cook a ‘fakeaway’ together
Instead of a takeaway that can get expensive quickly, why not recreate a favourite meal at home? Set the table, light a candle and make it feel like an occasion. Cooking together can be fun and a lot cheaper, avoiding that post-takeaway guilt when you’re trying to be more careful with your spending.
5. Have a games night (with what you already own)
Dig out those board games, cards and puzzles and make it feel like an event, not just another evening in. Choose a couple of games, put on a playlist, grab snacks you have in the cupboard and lean into some friendly competition.
Don’t have any board games at home?
Why not see if your local library will let you borrow some, or see if there’s a local board game cafe near you?
6. Do a ‘memory date’
Spend the evening talking about:
- How you met
- Your favourite shared memories
- Things you’re proud of getting through together
- A dream you have for the future
You could even create your very own time capsule to open in years to come.
7. Volunteer together
Is there a cause or charity that you’re both passionate about? By volunteering together, you can stay connected and have a shared experience without needing to spend money.
If you’re looking for a way to give back and support your community, you could see if your local church has any outreach projects you can both take part in. They’ll likely be really happy you’re getting involved, even if you aren’t a Christian.
8. Find free events near you
Keep an eye out for free or low-cost events near you, like:
- Local markets
- Free exhibitions
- Church or community socials
- Mid-week cinema deals
- Quiz nights at your local pub
Find a couple of ideas you both like the sound of, then plan a date around that activity or event.
9. Plan a future you can look forward to
Even if money’s tight right now, planning can be hopeful. Spend time talking about:
- A day out you might like to do in the future
- The goals you want to work towards
- Habits you want to build together
- Your financial goals
You could even create a moodboard together and pop it on your fridge to give you inspiration and motivation each day.
How to budget for your cheap date night ideas
You don’t have to spend a lot of money or buy a pricey gift to show someone you care. Instead, find ways to get creative with your ideas and learn how to spend quality time with your partner on a budget. And, if you need some support to help you plan out your date night budget, you can download our free budget worksheet or find local money coaching workshops for in-depth help.
