22 MINIMALIST VALENTINE’S DATE IDEAS
When my husband and I were first dating, every weekend was a date night. We would go out to the movies, and dinner. It would cost him nearly $60 if not more on dinner and movies. This happened almost every single Friday night. When I transitioned to the minimalism lifestyle, I decided that you don’t need to be out and about to enjoy your loved one. You don’t need to spend tons of money on gifts to share your love for each other.
I remember the first few Valentines together, it was a big deal. We got each other gifts for, he made dinner reservations and it felt just right. In reality, we were being scammed by the society telling who tells us how to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
However, last year on Valentine’s Day we were at home, packing for our honeymoon trip to New Zealand. There were no gifts exchanged, no fancy dinners, and it was just right for the both of us. I’m looking forward to this years Valentine’s Day to see what my hubby has planned for us.
Hopefully you’ll find some cool ideas to explore. Do something you both have never done before, get out there and explore the world while everyone else is stuck in a restaurant indulging on their overpriced meals.
If all else fails, remember you have each other and that’s all that matters.
1. Indoor rock climbing.
Get your exercise on with your loved one, with an indoor rock climbing experience. While you’re there, make it a competition, and see who gets to the top faster.
2. Netflix binges.
You each pick out the movies that you want to watch and watch them all! Who cares if he’s stuck watching a chick flick – deep down inside of him, he’ll still enjoy it. Make your own popcorn at home and enjoy.
3. Have a spa night at home.
Have your own little spa night, complete with bubble bath, candles, foot massages, and whatever else your ideal spa treatment would include!
4. Go on a stroll.
Go to the nearest town/downtown and just stroll around town. You’ll be amazed to see how many times you’ve driven through those streets and never seen this, that or the other.
5. Check out the bookstore.
The library might be closed in the evening, but a bookstore will do just fine. You can enjoy simple reads and find the next reads to put on your book list.
6. Stroll through a college campus.
My husband and I graduated from the same college, so it’s really nice to go back and reminisce the good ol’ college days. If you didn’t attend a college, still check one out, most of them are beautiful and this way you avoid all the crazy crowds and traffic.
7. Make dinner out of whatever you have in the fridge, pantry, garage, attic (JK!).
8. Catch the sunset – from anywhere.
This can be done from a high rise parking structure, or on any hill. Cuddle up and turn up some of your favorites jams (classic music, hip hop, jazz, pop, etc.)
9. Test drive your dream car.
Oh man, this is going to be so much fun. Make sure it’s YOUR dream car. You don’t want to accidentally end up with it in the future, if you don’t want it!
10. Exercise for free.
Sign up for a free trial at a local gym to test out the gym for free! Almost all of the local gyms offer free trials. Sign up and get out there movin’! I’m sure the gym will be dead on Valentine’s Day.
11. Take a free DIY class at Home Depot.
Learn something new for free! This one is rewarding as well.
12. Snowboarding/skiing.
If you live right by the slopes, you have great access to the slopes. Take your date out on a fun night skiing/snowboarding adventure!
13. Get your groove on with dancing. Check out Groupon for a cheap class near you.
14. Read books. Take out your favorite reads, light up the candles, put on some classical music in the background and drift away into the splendor of reading books.
15. Browse the art galleries in your downtown area.
16. Our local college offers music/performance shows to the public for an inexpensive price.
No, they’re not professionals, but for the price you pay it’s a great show!
17. Be spontaneous and get on public transit!
Don’t be scared, it’ll be fun. In our town we have the light rail, and I’ve taken it to downtown with my husband on date nights and it’s super fun! We get out and walk to our restaurant and then walk back to the station. There’s usually no one on the light rail, and you get to avoid the traffic.
18. YouTube exercise.
Do something that you’ve never done before. Have you ever done Tai Chi or Zumba? Take out that laptop/computer and put on a class you’ve never done on YouTube.
19. Drive-in theaters!
Cuddle up inside your car and enjoy the show.
20. Play video games.
Do you still have Wii or any video game device? Take it out and plug it for some real competition with your date.
21. Outdoor picnic in your backyard.
I know it’s chilli in a lot of places throughout the world in February, but even if you bundle up, light up some candles and sit out on the porch to eat some good food, it’s something different and romantic.
22. Ice skating.
Either outdoor or indoor rinks provide romantic experiences.
