Valentine's day ideas?

ulleswater

Hi,

With Valentine's day coming up and wanting to spoil my missus without leaving a dent in my wallet, has anybody got any good ideas for gifts and places to go in the London area? Would be grateful for any suggestions.:)

butterfly88

What about a reasonably priced meal and then take her to a show?

As for gifts what amount do you have in mind to spend?

Apricot

Are you at all crafty? Look at this thread for some ideas that can be made on the cheap, I love homemade things and it's nice for something personalised.

ulleswater

Meal and show is always a winner, maybe looking to do something a bit different. With the gift (should have mentioned before) we have have set ourselves a tenner budget, wouldn't mind going over but that might be counted as cheating!

The thread is looking good for some quirky gifts. :T

Person_one

OH and I don't do traditional valentinesy stuff and we don't do presents. We try to do an activity we both enjoy but that won't be hiking its prices up or be stupidly busy on the 14th. This year we'll be indoor ski-ing.

The thing with a meal/theatre/drinks etc is that you can feel this weird pressure to have the most romantic night ever and if you've been with someone a while and see them all the time that doesn't happen just because its a specific date! I think it can feel a bit forced.

Why don't you have a google for non valentine's events/activities in your area.

diable

Girlfriend is very busy at work doing two jobs and its coming up to London Fashion Week so extra busy so for a treat a meal at a nice Italian that we sometimes go to some nice flowers from Only Roses in London and I'll just pamper and take care of her as it will be a few hard weeks work wise.

I think I'll get a card but I am hoping for a Dremel lol

Katie-Kat-Kins

I'd try to avoid the usual out for a meal thing, meals are never as good on valentines day as restaurants pack people in and sometimes hike their prices.

Think outside the box, what about cooking a romantic candle lit dinner for your OH, or having an indoor picnic (you could do an outdoor on eif it is a dry day and you take blankets), or a takeaway feast accompanied by candles and music etc.

Or whatabout doing an activity like walking to a beautiful place in the countryside, or doing something fun like a theme park or paint balling as a treat.

A candlelit bath with essential oils and so on can be a lovely treat too. Or learn how to give a massage.

shorelines

What about watching The Aparment for free on the South Bank? -http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=29409379&postcount=85

It'll be chilly so bring a blanket/cushions and a picnic. Very MSE!

belfastgirl23

The thing is that the best presents are ones where someone has really thought about what you want. My best present from DH was a book, it only cost about £7 but he had put a lot of thought into finding a book that I didn't know I'd love. You need to think about HER and buy whatever she would like.

Remember the episode of Friends about The Velveteen Rabbit? That's what I'm talking about!

iwanttosave_2

See if M&S are doing the meals for 2 again for Valentines. For £20 you got a starter, main, side, pud, wine and a rose. We did it last year and OH cooked it for me, we just sat and talked and drank and it was the best Valentines day I've had.

katiesmummy

Things are really tight for us atm and we don't have the money to spend on valentine's gifts, so I am making my oh a smile jar as recommended by someone on here- I bought a big jar from asda (just a plain glass one with a lid) and I've written all sorts of things on bits of paper- stuff he says to me, stuff I say to him, our first date, little things that have happened and reasons why I love him so much. The idea is that every bit of paper he pulls out will make him smile.

Its really cheap but I think its a lovely gift and I know he will appreciate it.

Maybe as an addition to a night out?