How to plan a last-minute Valentine's Day (that isn't terrible)
What are you doing this Saturday? If you're in a relationship and you just answered that question "not sure, why?" you're in for an unpleasant surprise. That's right, let the sick rush of realization sink in: it's Valentine's Day, baby, and you聽were THIS CLOSE聽to forgetting about it, weren't you?
But hey--it's not too late for you. You've got another day to plan an epic Valentine's Day celebration, that's like聽an eternity for a procrastinator like you! Follow our advice and your significant other will never have to know how close you came to came to completely neglecting this sappy holiday. We found a few options for you, laid out the price of each and added in a聽few extra tips from our staff at Brad's Deals. You can thank us on Sunday.
Option #1: A Relaxing Spa Day
Price:聽$30-$150, depending on the service and聽the salon.
This is a great option for a last-minute Valentine's gift, because chances are you live within walking distance (or at least聽a short car-ride) of a聽salon or spa. Call them up now and book your beloved for a massage, a manicure, a facial or a hair service, and聽then surprise them on Saturday morning with a mystery car ride (blind-fold optional)聽to the spa. Keep in mind that spa services聽can get a bit pricey, so make sure you ask before booking something you can't afford.
Pro Tip:聽Maybe you don't聽know what kind of service your honey would like best, or maybe you're just聽not sure which聽salon is his or her favorite. Surprise them instead with聽, which is as good as cash at thousands of salons/spas聽across the country, and gives your significant other options for their big spa day. You can also聽check out聽, which is a similar spa gift card service聽聽on all their gift cards until February 15!
Option #2: The Classic Approach
Price:聽$30-$90 for a bouquet, $10 for a box of chocolates (+ whatever you're willing to spend on jewelry).
It might be a little cliche, but presenting your lover with聽bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates and a sparkly gift on Valentine's Day is a tried and true way of showing how much you care. Had you procrastinated just a day longer you might have had to settle for grocery store flowers/chocolates and whatever your local jewelry store has left, but luckily you're one day ahead of the game, and overnight shipping is a thing!
Pro Tip:聽Have we got a lot of tips for you!聽Need a good deal on flowers? Try these:
- 聽 ($30 shipped)
- 聽($40 shipped/add Russell Stover chocolates for extra $10!)
- 聽(with Visa Checkout, use code VISA40)
OK, now how about something sweet?
- 聽($10 shipped)
- 聽($20 shipped)
- 聽(with code CJ10)
- (with code CHOCO15)
- 聽(with code 29300)
According to our Valentine's Day Survey,聽the most popular kind of Valentine's Day jewelry are earrings and bracelets. Here are a few ways聽to get some fast--for less!
- 聽($17 shipped)
- 聽(with code SHINE)
- 聽($29 shopped)
- 聽($49 + free shipping!)
- 聽(with $100 purchase & code VALENTINE)
Option #3: A Ticket to Ride
Price:聽varies by event.
You know that new artist聽your girlfriend has been talking about for weeks? Or that new movie that's coming out which is based on those comic books your husband is obsessed with?聽Why not give them a night out with their current obsessions? Buy a concert ticket, front row seats to the big game, VIP movie tickets, or passes to the music festival coming to town next month. It's a thoughtful way to show you care, and you don't need to leave the comfort of your couch to make it happen.
Pro Tip:聽We've got a lot of discount ticket coupons on the site here at Brad's Deals.聽, but聽here's our short list:
- 聽(with code TMN241)
- 聽(and free shipping!)
Option #4: An Impromptu Vay-Cay
Price:听$75-$300+
There's nothing more romantic than a surprise vacation, and the bleak doldrums of February are the perfect time to get away. If this option seems out of your price range, you're聽thinking too big. Sure, an all-inclusive Bahamas getaway would be amazing, but there are cheaper alternatives, like an intimate weekend at your aunt's upstate cabin or聽a couple nights in a fancy hotel in the city, that will do the trick for a fraction of the cost.聽Any step out of routine can be聽exciting. After all, it's not about the destination, it's about the person you're traveling with--especially聽on Valentine's Day weekend.
Pro Tip:聽We've got quite a few travel and hotel deals live on the site right now, many of which are catered to last-minute Valentine's Day shoppers! Here are some of our favorites.
Hotel Booking:
- 聽(with code SAVE25)
- 聽(use code聽AFSAVE5FEB15 to save an additional 8% on non-chain hotels!)
Travel Deals:
If you're planning on booking a Valentine's Day trip today, make sure to check out聽!
Option #5: A Home-Cooked Meal
Price:听$10-$50
This is聽probably the cheapest and easiest option on this list, and yet I'd argue it's just as romantic as anything else. It's common knowledge that the way to anyone's heart is through their stomach, so why not dazzle the object of your affections with a delicious and tenderly prepared meal? There are few things more intoxicating than relaxing while someone you love cooks up a storm in the kitchen. Light some candles, play some romantic tunes (hint: Sam Smith or bust!), and when dinner is over, do the dishes without complaint--now that's true love.
Pro Tip:聽If you need inspiration, here are a few V-Day menus for you to copy. Feel free to tell your significant other you made up these recipes on the fly--they never have to know.
Got some extra special, extra thrifty Valentine's Day plans in the works? We want to hear about them, so give us a shout in the comments!
