Happy Valentine’s Day! From the time I was in elementary school setting out my decorated shoebox to collect valentines from classmates to last years romantic steakhouse date with my love, I’ve always been a fan of this holiday. I know there are people out there who will argue that it’s a hallmark holiday, or that you should celebrate the love you have with your significant other everyday, but to me there’s something fun about having an entire day dedicated to celebrating love. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can sometimes be easy to put romance on the backburner, so Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to remind all the special people in your life how much they mean to you.

One of my favorite bloggers, Alyssa, recently put together a super clever post about love lessons to be learned from 90s movies, and it inspired me to put together a budget friendly list of date night ideas inspired by dates in movies. While going out to a fancy restaurant is nice, why not mix things up a bit this year and opt for something a little different?

1. Stay in and cook together. As a girl, getting dressed up to go on a date is one of my favorite things, but just because you aren’t going to a fancy restaurant this year doesn’t mean you can’t dress to the nines! Plan a full course meal to cook at home with your boyfriend/girlfriend, put on your favorite LBD and get to cooking! Set the mood with some music and candles – who needs that fancy restaurant anyway? Thanks Carrie and Big from SATC for the inspiration!

2. Explore what your city has to offer. One of my favorite date scenes is when Will Ferrell “Buddy” and Zooey Deschanel “Jovie” go on their first date in the movie Elf. From tasting the “world’s best cup of coffee” to ice skating, window shopping and running through revolving doors their first date is all about exploring and having fun together. Challenge yourself to discover great things to do together in your city that won’t cost you a penny.

3. Be spontaneous (and dance like nobody’s watching). It isn’t fair to talk about Valentine’s Day and romantic movies without mentioning The Notebook – so grab your man, head to the nearest intersection and dance like nobody’s watching. Sometimes the most memorable moments of a date are the ones you weren’t expecting at all.

4. Have a good old fashioned movie night. Grab some popcorn, cozy up on the couch and watch that movie you’ve both been dying to see but haven’t had the time to rent. Restaurants are always packed on Valentine’s Day so why not avoid the crowds and relax together? Hopefully you won’t come down with a cold and lose your voice like Diane Keaton in Because I Said So.

5. Relive your first date together. Ok- so The Vow totally depressed me – but the scene where Channing Tatum took Rachel McAdams on their first date all over again to help her remember their relationship was totally adorable. Depending on what your first date actually was, this may cost you a little money, but it will be totally worth it when those first date jitters and memories come flooding back to you!

Your turn! What fun ideas do you have for a low cost date night? John and I will be doing #1 – we picked up some steaks and are cooking dinner together (and dressing up of course). Can’t wait to hear your ideas!

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