Why not try searching the far corners of your brain, scraping away the layers of duty and responsibility that constantly cloud your mind, and remember when you knew how to be creative in your thought processes. Whether your Valentine's Day budget is super-sized, dollar store or somewhere in between, there is always room for a little creativity. Still having trouble thinking outside the proverbial box of chocolates? Well, then, here are some ideas worth considering:
Although it may not be as exhilarating as a hot air balloon excursion, my husband and I never get tired of couples massages. Priced at around $75 to $150 per person, depending on the length of the massage and the fanciness of the spa, there is little more relaxing and refreshing than a deep tissue massage, complete with natural oils, aromatherapy candles and calming new age music.
If you want to keep the cost under $100 each, consider a gourmet cooking class for two. It's loads of fun, and you may be surprised at what you find by just googling "cooking classes" in your area. From full meals, to melt in your mouth breads, to scrumptious sweets, a cooking class for two is a wonderful way to spend special time with your Valentine.
For art lovers, a visit to a favorite museum or a new art gallery will usually run $25 to $50 depending on the rarity of the exhibit or the popularity of the artist.
For couples on a tighter budget, an afternoon strolling around the local zoo may run around $12 to $24 each. If it's too cold for the zoo, an evening of ice skating hand-in-hand might fit the bill. You may expect to pay $10 to $18 each for admission plus $8 to $12 each for the skate rental.
Depending on your budget, you might want to take a trip back in time and recreate your first date. Of course, if you are celebrating your 50th Valentine's Day together and your first date was cliff diving in Acapulco, you may want to rethink the "recreate your first date" idea and opt for a picnic at home in front of the fire complete with roasted marshmallows.
The point is, anyone can come up with a unique and magical way to spend Valentine's Day on any budget with just a little imagination.