4 Ways to Pull Off a Romantic, Low-Cost Valentine's Day

Many people look forward to Valentine's Day and can't wait to indulge their loved ones with gifts and fine dining galore. But if your personal financial picture isn't so great, then you may not be able to afford a blowout Valentine's Day.

The National Retail Federation reports that the typical consumer anticipates spending about $186 on Valentine's Day this year. And if you're looking to spring for a gift, flowers, and dinner at a fancy restaurant, then your credit card bill might easily total $186 -- or more.

The good news, though, is that you don't have to empty out your savings account to pull off a romantic Valentine's Day. Here are a few affordable and equally fun options you can explore instead.

1. Arrange a picnic lunch

If you live in a part of the country where February's weather isn't so cold, then a Valentine's Day lunch in the park may be more than doable. Pack some sandwiches, snacks, and perhaps a thermos of coffee, scout out a scenic location, and invite your partner to enjoy a mid-day meal. If it works to surprise them at the office and whisk them away to a secret location, even better.

2. Cook a multi-course dinner together

Many restaurants offer pre-fixed, multi-course meals on Valentine's Day. But if you go out to eat, you might easily pay upward of $50 per person. If you're on a budget, plan out a three-course meal at home and prepare it together. It'll give you an opportunity to spend time with one another in a less packed and noisy environment. And a bonus, you might even end up with leftovers so you don't have to worry about dinner for the rest of the week.

3. Make it a movie marathon night

Those cheesy romantic movies people love to watch during the holidays? There's no rule stating you can't watch a Christmas flick on Valentine's Day. Microwave some popcorn, pull out your favorite fleece blanket, and cozy up on the couch for some full-fledged romance on screen. If your partner is someone who tends to not want to leave the house after dark (especially during the heart of winter), then chances are, they'd rather do this than go out for a night on the town.

4. Take a trip down memory lane

Those photos you and your partner took on your first vacation 12 years ago? You probably haven't looked at them in years. Instead of paying up for a Valentine's Day meal or event, take the opportunity to bust out your old photos at home and reminisce about the good times you and your partner have had through the years. You could even build on this idea by starting to plan your next fun trip or outing.

There tends to be a lot of pressure to spend money on Valentine's Day, but there doesn't have to be. If your partner knows money is tight, chances are, they wouldn't want you to bust your budget in the course of celebrating. So rather than do that, consider one of these options for a fun Valentine's Day that won't cost a lot.