So, there you are. After Christmas and New Year, January has been a time of refocusing on the finances. It’s a quiet time, nothing happening until; aaaggghhh! It’s Valentine’s Day in a few weeks.
Panic ye not. You don’t have to spend a fortune out on the town in Newcastle or Durham or any north eastern town or city to indulge your loved one. It can be expensive to go out as, understandably restaurants want to make money at an otherwise slack time of year. And you can still do that if your budget stretches to it.
But why not think of other options so you don’t have to spend a lot of cash but can still have a fantastic and enjoyable time on this special day.
The presents
You’ll always want to get something special for the love of your life, but you don’t have to spend a fortune (unless you’ve got one of course). Set yourself a budget and understand what will be a surprise for your partner. Everyone is different so it’s up to you to think of what will be most appreciated. Sometimes it’s just your time and caring that makes that difference, and a small gift that simply says, “I love you”.
Going out
Going out for a meal and a few drinks can make Valentine’s a memorable occasion for celebration. On a tight budget you can still have a great evening but do a little research before you book. Do you want the full dinner, and the cost of it, or rather go to a lower key place, such as a tapas bar, where you can choose and enjoy according to what you want to spend?
Staying in
If that sounds boring, it certainly need not be. A night in gives you the opportunity to be together without all the hassle of being around other people in bars and restaurants.
Why not plan a menu and cook together? It can be a lot of fun, especially if you are trying out some different things so you can enjoy each other’s company while preparing a dinner that you’ll both enjoy because you’ve worked with each other.
Set your table for that romantic dinner with your best glassware for wine and your best plates and cutlery to reinforce what a special occasion it is. Before you eat take some time for an aperitif of champagne in attractive champagne glasses. And don’t forget that at the end of the dinner you might like to have a glass of port or brandy to finish the evening on a pleasant note.
Remember, you can have an enjoyable evening in without it being expensive. It takes some time to plan but an evening like this can help bring you both closer together and will also give you some ideas for dining at home in the future.
The money you save by not going out can be put to good use, maybe going towards that holiday that you’ve always wanted to go on? In the end, it’s your choice!