So it's Valentine's day, and I have some tips on how to make it special for your significant other. Sure you can make it easy and go out for a romantic dinner, but here are some other cute and cheaper activities you can do to celebrate this day.
One thing you can do is talk to your partner and agree on a price limit for presents. Because lets be honest, most prices have increased since its Valentine's day and there is no reason to go crazy. Once you agree, have fun and buy something that makes you think of them. No matter what you get, really its the thought that counts. So don't stress and have fun when you pick out the gift. Even a cheaper option is to make a very heartfelt gift. If you have an idea, go for it and taking your time and the effort to do is a very special thing. (Remember it is always the thought that counts.)
Instead of going out, plan a cute night in. Even though going out to dinner is nice, some people would just rather stay home. For a cute night in, find something that you both will enjoy. For example, some girls just like to chill, watch movies, and have pizza. And that is totally fine. Or they just like to have a nice dinner in. To make this special, try to find out his/her favorite food and make it yourself. It will be so much more romantic and cheap to buy the ingredients and make it yourself. Then you decorate the house or table to make it a little more romantic. For example, you can have a nice bouquet of flowers on the table or a big bowl with red and white stones with lit candles to make this kind of effect.
Here are two ideas that you can try out for Sunday:
For a pizza and Netflix night: Go to the store and get frozen pizza dough (or try your favorite pizzeria) and various toppings, like sauce, cheese, etc. Have your significant other come over and personalize your own little pizzas.(Have fun cooking together, making a mess, and laughing together.) Then spend the remainder of the night having snacks, eating your pizzas, watching movies, and enjoying the time together.
Elegant dinner: If they like a more expensive dinner, like steak and seafood, try doing it at home. (Again it's much cheaper.) Buy petite tenderloin steaks, some shrimp (or any seafood she likes), and some potatoes. Then set the table nicely, using the ideas above. Next, cut the potatoes into 1 inch cubes, Then put them in a pot and add cold water. Heat this til boiling and then cook for 15 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender then drain. Next you mash them. (You can do this with a potato masher or a mix master.) Gradually heated milk, butter, sour cream, and salt and pepper until its the desired consistency. (You can add anything you want to the potatoes, like cheese, to make them taste even better.) Next take a cast iron skillet and heat for 5 minutes on med high. Sear the steaks for 7 minutes per side and then transfer to a low temp oven until it is at desired doneness. (For example 10 minutes on 300 degrees will make them medium) The shrimp you can steam with wine over a double boiler for 5 minutes or pan fry with some simple olive oil, salt, and pepper for 3-4 minutes per side. Finally dinner is done and you can serve. This is very versatile and you can cook whatever you want. If you are cooking for a vegetarian, I would recommend doing a stuffed portabella mushroom cap, with onions, cheese, celery, etc.
Remember, whatever you decide to do for your boy/girlfriend will be appreciated. Just put some thought into it, and this will especially show how much you care.
-Katrina
