Valentine's Day Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

Valentine’s Day needn’t be about spending money to prove your affection. After all, it’s supposed to be a celebration of love, which is supposed to be priceless. Here are some Patch suggestions for a Valentine’s date that won’t break the bank:

Cook a Romantic Dinner

Fancy restaurants are all well and good, but the meal will be even more meaningful to your valentine if you cook it yourself. Mint Life offers a handy list of seven romantic meals, all of which cost less than $10 to prepare.

Go Ice Skating

There’s nothing more beautiful than a night under the stars, except maybe a night under the stars with your loved one. Bring your valentine to the nearest rink for a loving lap around the ice, arm in arm.

Take a Romantic Walk

A simple stroll may not sound like the makings of a holiday to remember, but it could be if the stroll took place at one of Minnesota’s many beautiful parks.
For an especially romantic day, visit the waterfall in southeast Minneapolis’ Minnehaha Park (the locale inspired Longfellow’s poem “The Song of Hiawatha,” so it ought to be worthy of a visit on this of all days) or the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. If you’re not one for walking in a winter wonderland, pop by the Cowles Conservatory next door, and escape to the tropics amidst the conservatory’s lush and exotic flora.

Make Your Own Box of Chocolates

There’s nothing worse than receiving a box of chocolates and realizing you either don’t like or are allergic to half the flavors. Fortunately, when you make your own, that’s not an issue. Allrecipes.com offers several simple recipes, which can be easily mastered by the most amateur chocolatier.

Have a Romantic Movie Night

Sometimes true love isn’t about spectacle and panache—it’s about a cozy night in, snuggling on the couch and eating popcorn. The Huffington Post’s Tiffany Shlain weighs in on the 10 Most Romantic Films of All Time.