Last week I posted about things to do when you’re single on Valentine’s Day, but what are great date ideas when you’re in a relationship?

Andrew and I have been dating for almost 4 years. This is our 3rd Valentine’s Day together. That doesn’t seem like that many, in the grand scheme of life, but we also live together, and are trying to save money to eventually buy a house.

Unfortunately, that means that we are being extra careful with our money, and sometimes means that fancy extravagant shows of love might not be feasible. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t do something romantic. Being the rebels that we are, Andrew recieved a giftcard to go to The Keg, a steakhouse restaurant. So we’re going to use that and go out for a date night on the Friday night.

Not exactly Valentine’s but at least it won’t be crowded! I have an aversion to spending time in crowds when I don’t have too.

But what else can you do if you don’t have the bonus of a gift card? Here’s some ideas to surprise your better half!

Plan out a dinner that the two of you can make at home. Andrew and I both love mussels, but these tend to be something that we seem to have on special occasions. So this year we’re going to have another seafood night, throw together a pot of mussels and other seafoods, and chow down. It’ll be great to spend the time in the kitchen together without the pressure of rushing to get food in us before we have to go to bed and get up for work.
Find something free around your city. Toronto is great for this stuff! Enjoy skating? There are free skating rinks all around the city. Saturday night at the Harbourfront is DJ Skate NIght! It’ll be packed, but it’s free and fun skating with music. Even just going for a walk through the snow along the lake, or through the city would be amazing.
Plan a sexy night in. Cooking not your forte, and really can’t get up to brave the cold? Never fear. I’m sure that there is plenty that can still be done at home. Build a pillow fort, and spend the night under covers telling each other stories about your dreams.
Disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other. I think that this one might be the most important. Andrew’s work requires him to always be on the phone. His phone is pretty much always ringing. Take that time to turn them off, get off social media, and just be with each other. You don’t have to talk, sometimes not being distracted is just what the doctor ordered.