5 Ideas for a Family Valentine’s Date Night

Let’s face it; inflation has put a headlock on many of our budgets. But that’s no excuse to shun Valentine’s Day altogether. Yeah, since many of the kids are back in school, you might still be stuck sending cards to every kid in the class.

I’ve always considered that a non-negotiable expense that must be planned for or expect your child to get made fun of if you don’t. If you’re really up against financially, help your child create some cards by hand or on the printer and write sentimental notes to their best friends.

But, on to the reason we’re here. Creating a Valentine’s family date night.

#1—Setting the Mood

You don’t need to make your home over into what looks like a first-class restaurant; that might cost more than a night out. However, you can do with a few V-Day decorations on the cheap.

Small trinkets and decorative accessories don’t have to be expensive, and you can get the kids to help do these crafty decorations. Use red, pink, and white construction paper to create some chains to string across the living room or wherever you want the focus of your date to be. You can even have the kids write their "love" words on the hearts.

#2—Plan a Dinner Date for All

This doesn’t have to take impeccable planning or a big budget, but you will want to plan the ingredients, at least. If you’re stuck working that day, use your crockpot or oven to slow cook something fabulous.

If you have no idea, choose one of these “Taste of Home” 5-ingredient, slow-cook recipes.

#3—Plan Some Games & Simple Gifts

You could even give the gifts to the winners of each game, but make sure everyone gets at least one gift if you don’t want to break someone’s heart.

Board games like Battleship, Chutes & Ladders, Snakes & Ladders, and others are lots of fun and inexpensive.

Print off some bingo cards, make small squares with the numbers one to seventy-five on them, and draw them from a hat until the lucky winner yells, “Bingo”!

Gifts don’t have to be expensive. You can give chocolate bars or granola bars, homemade or bought cookies, small stuffed animals, or heart-shaped items.

#4—Make Some Popcorn

Although you could make microwave popcorn, if you have an aversion to microwave use, get an inexpensive hot air popper, or order a twelve-pack of Jiffy pop. It’s “cheaper by the dozen.” Plus, you can get next-day or two-day shipping with many online ordering platforms.

Plus, the kids can help pop the corn and make it a family bonding moment.

#5—Pick a Really Great Movie

There are many really excellent Valentine’s Day movies, so have everyone pick one, put it in a hat and choose. That will squelch the arguments. Or, if you have time to watch everyone’s favorites, use the hat-pick method to decide which to watch first.

In case you can’t think of any, some of the top family picks are:

• The Lady and the Tramp

• Parent Trap —a timeless classic.

• Gnomeo & Juliet

• Shrek

• Free Rein: Valentine’s Day

• My Girl —another classic!

• Passport to Paris

OK, I think you get the idea. There you have it; five excellent ideas for your Valentine’s Day family date.

Stephen Dalton is a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Also, a Top Writer in Nutrition, Travel, Fiction, Transportation, VR, NFL, Design, Creativity, and Short Story.

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