I’m sure plenty of people would love to spend Valentine’s Day at a fancy, ten-course prix fixe dinner while being showered with luxury jewelry, artisan chocolates, and enough roses to fill every corner of your house…until you look at the cost. Maybe you decide to do something a little less rich. How about a nice, simple dinner, followed by a movie, and drinks afterwards? Could still be a bit much for the budget.
So let’s get creative without breaking the bank. Here are some ideas to have a good time, no matter what you like to do for fun. Whether this is your first Valentine’s Day together or your 50th, get ready to celebrate love—with an emphasis on the love, not the cash.
A Romantic Night In
There’s nothing stopping you from having a fancy dinner and a romantic evening—and you don’t even have to fight for a reservation. Fill up with homemade food and spend time on cozy activities. Later on, maybe you can convince your partner to slow dance with you in your living room.
- Put those chef skills to work. One partner can treat the other to a Michelin star-level meal (if they give stars to home cooks who are trying their best) or you can cook together. And you have the option to spend a little extra on ingredients instead of parking. Here are some recipe ideas:
- Have a little friendly competition. If you can keep your egos in check, you can play board games designed for two players such as Ticket to Ride, Patchwork, or Scrabble. (I know my husband loves me because he will play Scrabble even though he knows he’s going to lose. Talk about romance.) And card games such as Cribbage, Gin Rummy, or even Poker will have you showing off your strategic side.
- Dinner and a free movie. There are a few streaming services where you can find almost any movie you and your date want to watch, for free. In fact, if you have a library card, you can access Kanopy, which offers free movies with no ads. Whether your idea of a date-night movie is a swoon-inducing romance or a horror that will keep you snuggling close, here are some websites along with movie recs for every type of film-lover:
- Kanopy: The Taste of Things, Labyrinth, His Girl Friday, Flashdance, The Cabin in the Woods
- PlutoTV: The Truman Show, An Officer and a Gentleman, Clueless, Snowpiercer
- Plex: A Ghost Story, The Apartment, Drop Dead Gorgeous
- Retroflix: The General, The Phantom of the Opera (1925), The Most Dangerous Game
- Turn on some easy listening. Instead of watching a movie, try listening to a story or music. There are both classic radio dramas and epic operas on our local stations. And if you have a Bluetooth or smart speaker, you can turn on a story podcast. Curl up by the fire with a drink in hand, and try a little audio entertainment like these:
- Podcasts: Midnight Burger, The Truth, The Lost Cat, The Sleepy Bookshelf
- Radio stories: The Big Broadcast on WAMU, 88.5 FM, on Sundays from 7 PM to 11 PM.
- Opera and music: Operafest on WBJC, 91.5 FM, on Saturdays starting at 1 PM.
An Adventurous Day Out
Maybe being cooped up inside isn’t either of your things. Luckily, there are plenty of fun activities in the great outdoors, even in winter. You can meet up with a group of people to make some new friends, or keep your quality time to yourselves. Bring a travel mug of hot chocolate and try these activities:
- Birdwatching is not just for the birds. See and hear the many species of feathered friends in our area. If you want some guidance, the Crofton Library will have a birdwatching event at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 14. If you and your partner want to go on your own, the Patuxent Research Refuge is a fantastic place to check out wildlife. Or sit outside of your own home together and see what birds come to visit! Learn more about how to go birding from Audubon and the Maryland Ornithological Society.
- Your inner child will love trainspotting and planespotting. Living near busy railways and airports is something you might take for granted. So slow down, sit down, and watch the engineering marvels in our midst. Railfans can go to Patapsco Valley State Park or simply to the nearest MARC station. And to get a front-row seat to planes landing, visit the Thomas A. Dixon, Jr. Observation Area. For something indoors, head to BWI’s Observation Gallery.
- Hike, bike, or take a walk. Take in the beauty of the world in winter at one of the many paved or unpaved trails. Annapolis Moms has a rundown of walkable parks in the area. Add to that the previously mentioned Patuxent Research Refuge, Patapsco Valley State Park, or the BWI Hiker-Biker Trail.
Luxury for Less
Maybe you’d still like to have a version of a couple’s spa day or luxury pampering. Well, you don’t need to spend loads of money on a five-star hotel, or Valentine’s Day massage package. Try some of these suggestions:
- Give your sweetheart a massage. Not just for the “physical touch” love language! When a 90-minute couples-massage isn’t in the cards, it’s time to roll up your sleeves. Check out these articles from The Washington Post and The Knot to learn more.
- Browse your jewelry shop. It doesn’t cost anything to look! Visit a store and try on some fun, beautiful accessories. Let this be an opportunity to figure out what styles you like best. Be gracious to the sales staff and let yourself enjoy the sparkle! But if you and your partner are still in the situationship stage…maybe skip this one!
- Make your own sweet treats. When you think of Valentine’s Day, do you also think of chocolate-covered strawberries? And making them is such an easy activity with only two ingredients (but more, if you’re feeling it). A perfect snack to make together. Or you can up your game with some delicious chocolate truffles.
Get Back in Class
It’s easy to get stuck in the same ol’ routine. Use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to learn something new. Any of these classes can help you shake off the cobwebs and discover your next obsession. And when you do it together, it’s even better bonding time.
- Art Book Sculpture at the Busch Annapolis Library. If you’ve got a book that has seen better days, upcycle it into a beautiful work of art. And whatever you end up with can be your gift to each other!
- Enjoy a high-intensity, low-impact workout. Pure Barre locations in Crofton and Annapolis offer free intro classes. Give yourselves a healthy heart this Valentine’s Day!
- Get fighting fit together. Annapolis Boxing also has free introductory classes so you and your sweetheart can be an unstoppable team.
- Yoga with a side of art. While not a free class, ArtFarm’s Yoga in the Gallery is only $20 to drop-in. So enjoy your Valentine’s Day, then have a yoga-filled morning the next day.
Be a Local Tourist
You and your partner can spend a day out in Annapolis going to museums, historical spots, and galleries. Bundle up on a chilly February day and walk arm-and-arm with the person you love in our beautiful town.
- Get inspired in the Arts District. Go for a walk down West Street to visit the galleries and shops. Start by Park Place so you can hit up All the Rage Vintage, Gallery 57 West, Annapolis Collection Gallery, 49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar & Gallery just to name a few. Visit the Arts District website to plan your visit.
- Learn about the past, people, and places. History is everywhere here—not just in downtown Annapolis, but all over the county. Go back in time with the Museum of Historic Annapolis or the Waterfront Warehouse. Or drive out to Annapolis Junction to see the National Cryptologic Museum and its fascinating collection of code-making and -breaking artifacts.
We all know that Valentine’s Day is not about how much money you or your partner can spend on one another. It’s about love and all the ways you can show it. Save your dollars to splurge on a babysitter, so you can make sure you get as much quality time as you want.
Save The Date List