Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating your person, and you don’t need to spend extravagantly to make it special. Here are some creative and affordable ideas to plan a memorable date that shows how much you care.

1. Cook a romantic dinner at home

Valentine’s Day at restaurants can be kind of a disaster. They usually have a limited menu, much higher prices than usual, and the quality of the food and service is often subpar. So it can be a much better experience (and much more affordable) to skip the crowded restaurants and plan a cozy dinner at home. 

Choose a favorite recipe or try cooking something new together. Set the mood with candles, soft music, and a beautifully set table. Then, if you still want to go out to dinner, go on a different night, so you won’t have all the compromises and higher prices that you would on the 14th.

Pro tip: Look up the menu at a favorite restaurant and make one of the dishes.

2. Have a movie night with a twist

Transform your living room into a mini-theater. Pick a classic romantic film or a favorite movie you both enjoy. Add some fun with homemade popcorn, fairy lights, and cozy blankets. If weather permits—and in February, it might not—put on an outdoor movie night under the stars. (If it’s not completely freezing, this could actually be fun if you have a fire pit and heavy blankets.)

3. Go on a scenic walk or a picnic

Find a local park, beach, or hiking trail and enjoy the beauty of nature together. Pack a picnic with sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. If you want to get a little fancier, put together a charcuterie board and bring some wine. Don’t forget a blanket to sit on and maybe a thermos of hot chocolate if it’s chilly.

4. Create a DIY spa experience

Bring the spa to your home! But way cheaper! Light some scented candles, play relaxing music, and prepare a DIY facial. Make some cucumber water. Take turns giving each other massages using affordable massage oils. It’s a relaxing and intimate way to spend time together.

5. Write love letters or do a memory jar

Take a moment to express your feelings with handwritten love notes. Share your favorite memories or write down all the things you appreciate about each other. Or you could create a memory jar—sort of like a time capsule with special moments, goals, or inside jokes written on small pieces of paper that you can look back on later.