Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to break the bank, but it certainly can if you want it to. Here are some ideas for Valentine’s Day plans for every budget.
Valentine’s Day is upon us once again and most are either fearing or embracing the coming holiday. The good news as that no matter your vocation towards Valentine’s Day, we have ideas so that you and your special someone can at least enjoy yourselves.
So here are some Valentine’s Day plans for any budget.
Budget Plans ($0-$50)
Make a Playlist
Start with something simple – make your partner a playlist. Gone are the days in which a mixtape was the perfect way to tell your partner how you feel on a budget. Now, if anything, it’s easier. Just go on your streaming platform of choice and put together about 20 songs that best describe how you feel about your partner. It doesn’t quite have the same homemade, nostalgic charm of a mixtape but it will still get the job done. (Also name the playlist something cute to take it up that extra level).
Make Breakfast in Bed
It’s a classic for a reason. If you’ve got some skills in the kitchen, now is the time to show off. Try and prepare something in secret before you go to bed and give your partner a surprise. Or you can simply cook it together! This gives you room to do cute stuff in the kitchen and when you make a mistake it will also be cute, covering up for your lack of skill in the kitchen.
Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
For those unaware, it’s quite cheap and often free to go to an art gallery or museum. Take cute pictures of you two holding hands in front of your favourite pieces and, boom, you’ve got some great material for the ‘gram. Get a nice lunch while you’re out too if you want to spend that little bit more.
For Sydneysiders, the Art Gallery of NSW has a fantastic Matisse exhibition that finishes up in March. Check out what we thought of it to see if it tickles your fancy.
Romantic Movie Marathon
If you and your partner are home bodies and on a budget, just binge a bunch of romantic movies with some wine and cheese. Get silly, make each other laugh, have good conversations. It’s the Valentine’s Day treat that really doesn’t break the bank and allows you two to really enjoy each other.
If you need any suggestions you can always go for the classic Notebook or if you’re in it for the long haul, hit up Titanic. Chuck in a few 2000s rom-coms and you’re good to go.
Spend a Little More Money ($85 - $180)
Stargazing in the Blue Mountains
Now THIS is some romantic stuff and with a guided stargazing tour from a professional only costing $85 each, it doesn’t completely break the bank. In this tour you’ll get an introduction to the history of the Blue Mountains through time, naked-eye astronomy, tips and tricks on how to identify stars and constellations.
You also get to use a professional grade telescope to spot Saturn’s rings, the Orion Nebula, Mars, Venus, and all the rest.
While the astronomy aspect may not be for everyone, the location alone is romantic enough for those who want to get away from it all. If you’re into it, you can always camp while you’re out there too.
Go To Dinner
I know this seems obvious but when I say, “go to dinner”, that doesn’t mean you take your partner to the same place you’ve been 100 times already. See if you can find out (subtly), or simply know, if there is a restaurant that they have been wanting to visit. It doesn’t even have to be something that they’ve always wanted to go to for ages, but maybe if you heard them mention they would like to go somewhere just in passing, book a table and surprise them.
If you don’t have any ideas you could always take them to one of the many restaurants in Darling Harbour, like Jordon’s Seafood.
Paint and Sip Classes
My girlfriend has been bothering me to do this for ages and I can see why, it’s the perfect couple’s date. Bring your own wine and nibblies and get ready to pretend to learn how to paint. There are so many locations in Sydney that you likely won’t have to travel very far. This isn’t limited to just Sydney either as almost anywhere in Australia you can find locations.
Smash and Splash Room
It’s healthy to let a little rage out and maybe it’s even healthier to let the rage out together. That’s what Smash and Splash is there for. It isn’t the most delicate or traditionally romantic activity but if you and your partner don’t mind getting a little dirty then this might be for you. There are locations in both Sydney (Gladesville) and Melbourne (Oakleigh). It only costs $100 for 30 minutes of straight smashing or splashing.
If you go for the paint splashing experience, you two could re-enact that scene in 10 Things I Hate About You. Nothing’s more romantic than Shakespeare.
If you would like to do both (in Sydney) then there is an experience that does both for $180.
Spend A Lot More Money ($300 - $1,180)
Staycation at a Fancy Hotel
Booking a night in a fancy hotel is a great way to spend Valentine’s Day. You can mix things up and actually leave the room to go to a dinner or a bar, but you can just as easily order room service and stay in your room. The Four Seasons in Sydney has a Romance Package for $300 per night. Included is a bottle of bubbly, chocolate treats, a Four Seasons breakfast, and a late check-out at 2pm! Not bad.
Catch a Seaplane to Jonah’s
This one is quite pricey, but the experience is worth it. You jump on a seaplane and take an incredibly scenic flight along the Northern Beaches to Palm Beach and then enjoy a delicious lunch at the award-winning, Jonah’s. While you’re at Jonah’s you have an incredible view from the terrace overlooking Whale Beach. At $1,180 for two, it isn’t for everyone but the people who really want to go all out for Valentine’s Day, look no further.
Hot Air Balloon Ride Over The Hunter Valley
If the seaplane is a little too much but you still want to spend a little more, then at $598, this is for you. For that price you get a romantic one-hour trip in the air, an a la carte breakfast for each person, a glass of sparkling, and a digital photo pack. The Hunter is a popular place for couples anyway so maybe you could make a whole weekend trip if that’s what you’re after.
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