Romance doesn’t have to be hearts, flowers and a huge credit card bill at the end of the month – there are plenty of ways to be romantic on a budget! Most of these require a little creativity, imagination and effort, but that just adds to the romance. Perhaps you should leave this article open where your man can see it if you’re looking to show him some ways to be romantic on a budget, or try out one of these ideas yourself and surprise him!
If you’ve got a creative streak, put it to good use! Whether your talent is drawing, painting, singing, playing the piano or arts and crafts, spending a few hours making something for your boyfriend is one of the cutest ways to be romantic on a budget. Who could fail to love something that you’ve spent hours making? Just the thought that you’ve put into it will make it extra special
Expensive, candlelit restaurants are all well and good, but sometimes you need something a little more budget-friendly. Organize a picnic with your man and you’ll enjoy a romantic afternoon for two that is sure to leave you feeling loved up! Whether you go for a low-key picnic lunch on his work break or plan a whole afternoon at the park complete with a posh hamper and bottle of champagne, eating outdoors together in the sunshine is a really lovely romantic gesture. Guys, this is a great way to impress your girlfriend too – we love it when you plan surprises!
This idea is inspired by a blog I read called ‘The Date Guy,’ which suggests cool and unusual dates to try in London. If you live in a city where you can rent bicycles (we have ‘Boris bikes’ here in London), you’ll need to get up at the crack of dawn and head for the city center. It’s best to do this on a week night in the early hours, when everyone else is asleep. Rent your bikes and ride through the abandoned streets, pretending you’re the last people on earth. It’s blissfully romantic, and if you’re lucky you might even find a late-night coffee shop where you can stop off for a drink!
With the invention of email, letter writing has become a dying art, and it’s a shame, as some of the most famous romances in history began with the exchange of love letters. If it was good enough for John Keats and Fanny Brawne, it’s good enough for you! You don’t have to write anything massively soppy, just a few lines telling your other half how much you miss them is a great way to start. Or talk about fun times you’ve had together in your past. If you’re in a long distance relationship, writing letters instead of (or as well as) emails and texts is a great way to stay close and connected.
Just because you’re on a budget, doesn’t mean you can’t escape just the two of you. Consider a camping break close to home, a night away at a local hotel or even a weekend staying with friends in a nearby city. Just getting away from your usual environment is the perfect way to help romance blossom, and you’ll both be able to relax and unwind. This is a great way to surprise your other half!
Paying attention to things your other half wants will earn you brownie points, but what if you’re on a tight budget? There’s sure to be some small and inexpensive things they’ve pointed out or mentioned in the past, and remembering one of these things and surprising them with it is the perfect way to be romantic without breaking the bank.
Cooking for your other half is so romantic (guys, cooking for your girl is a great way to surprise her!) and it will cost so much less than eating out at a fancy restaurant. Make sure you cook their favorite foods, whether that’s home-cooked French cuisine or something simple like Mac n’ cheese. What counts is the time and effort you’ve put into it, so don’t worry if you’re not the next Jamie Oliver!
Sometimes, the most beautiful bunches of flowers are those your man has picked himself. I definitely don’t mean stealing blooms from your neighbor’s garden, so this might not be possible if you live in the city! But if you’re near the countryside, a hand tied bunch of pretty wildflowers is the perfect spontaneous way to tell her you love and appreciate her – and it won’t cost you a penny!
Sometimes, the best way to be romantic is just to make plans together. Whether that involves organizing a cozy movie night in or saving your cash to buy tickets to a show they want to see, you’re giving them something to look forward to, and ensuring that you both have plenty of quality time together. Making plans doesn’t have to be complicated or cost a lot of money, and it’s the perfect way to impress your other half!
There are plenty of romantic things you can do on a budget, and sometimes it’s the tiniest gestures which mean the most! What’s the most romantic thing your boyfriend (or girlfriend) has ever done for you?