Food, Home and Style

Have the Cheapest and Awesomest V-Day Ever

Say what you will about commercialism and Valentine’s Day—it’s hard to reject a day that celebrates love in all its squishy glory.

Stop using money as an excuse to check out–who says you have to buy roses at inflated prices, or shell out for an overcrowded restaurant? In fact, sharing V-Day in a way that involves less spending (much, much less…) can be even more special. Start with our nine tips for gifts, meals and activities that will
make your Feb. 14 about connection, consideration and romance, not cash and cliches.

Say it with pictures

Or as PhotoJoJo puts it: “If you love someone, shoot them.” Go out and take portraits of each other, even if it’s with a crappy camera. For inspiration on your absurd/dark/surrealist/campy shots, check out the link to the Ones We Love project.

Turn out the lights

Spend the whole evening cooking, eating, and, uh, whatever elseing in candlelight. You’ll even save money on electricity, though not on your candle bill. Note: The glow from your Mac screen does not count as candles.

Do something you hate to do (or are really bad at)

Obviously, we’re aiming for something the person you heart would love for you to do, whether it’s going to the gym with them, washing the dishes without leaving crud on the plates or watching football without complaining. Extra points if the activity involves karaoke singing or generally making a jackass of yourself.

Make valentines

Tap your inner artist–or your inner second-grader.

Dress up

But eat in–or eat somewhere really, really cheap.

Write each other love letters

They’re free, revealing, and you’ll want to keep them foveever. I swore I would not tell my BF’s guy friends that we are doing this. So instead I’m putting it on the internet.

Picnic inside

Almost as sweet as camping in the living room! Spread a cloth on the floor, order in your favorite pizza, and (this is key) split a bottle of good wine.

Play hooky

It’s only February, so the gainfully employed among us should have plenty of vacation time in the bank. Take Monday off, sleep in, and then spend the entire day doing totally fun, frivolous stuff.

Go play in the snow

Assuming you have snow. Think snowball fights, snow forts, snow angels, and a sexy glow from the chill.

Tags: advice, relationships, spending, Valentine's Day