Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and now is the perfect time to start thinking about what special gift to get for your partner this year. If you want to give them something they will love and appreciate, but are on a tight budget, we have a few ideas that are great for you.

• A Meal at Home:

Eating out on Valentine’s Day can be a challenge. Not only is it hard to get a reservation, it can be very expensive as well. For an easier and frugal option, try making a fancy meal at home. Find out your partner’s favorite dish and do your best to find a similar recipe online. Not only will you spend less on the ingredients than you would if you ate out, your partner will appreciate that you took the time to make the meal yourself. Light a few candles and play music during dinner for a simple but effective ambience.

• Romantic Scavenger Hunt:

A creative and fun way to spend Valentine’s Day is to make a scavenger hunt for your partner. You can use sticky notes to write down clues using fun memories you’ve shared together. Create the scavenger hunt so that it leads your partner to a memorable place you’ve been before or to a new gift they’ve been eyeing.

• Movie Marathon:

Instead of spending the night out, try staying in and having a movie marathon of your favorite romantic comedies. You can choose to rent from Redbox, look on demand or find a few from any monthly streaming services. Either way, it’s a classic date night idea without going over budget at the movie theatre.

• Love Letters:

One of the most meaningful gifts you can give to your partner is a handmade love letter. One idea is to create a list such as “XX Reasons Why I Love You”.  You could also write a special poem and frame it. This gift will take a bit of effort but won’t cost a thing. You can use this idea to go along with another gift or all by itself. Another handmade idea you can easily DIY are special coupons that include future dates or even chores around the house that your partner can cash in on later.

• Brewery/Winery Date:

If you and your partner enjoy beverage tastings, a great date idea would be a trip to your local brewery or winery. You will get to sip on a variety of local creations that you may have never tried before, and generally admission prices for an entire tasting will be cheaper than drink prices at a bar. You can also check on Groupon for tasting and tour offers and discounts.