Valentine’s Day is coming up soon and as we all know it can get quite pricey going out. Restaurants create pre-fixed menus with ridiculous fees and doing activities always cost a lot of extra cash. We’ve rounded up some ways you can prevent spending a fortune.

Plan An Evening of Fondue Fun: OK, so you do have to purchase a fondue set but you can manage to find very affordable ones at our SD Shop. Next step, is getting a fresh baguette, Swiss cheese, Gruyere. and maybe throw in some mozzarella. Grab a bottle of red wine and you’re set to go! Or you can even decide to go sweet and have chocolate fondue with strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and any other fruit of your choosing. Light some candles and voilà, romantic times.

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Go On a Foodie Adventure To St Lawrence: This one is for all those foodie couples out there – it’s the spot to be for anyone that appreciates GOOD, quality food. For all types of palates; there are addictive desserts, incredible Chinese food, a large assortment of fresh fish and meat, variety of cheese, olives, and so much more. They also have the best BLT sandwiches in Toronto. I can’t forget about Buster’s Sea Cove which is a must-try if you are a seafood enthusiast.

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Make a Blanket Fortress in You Living-Room: Use all your furniture and blankets to create a living-room fort with your comforter and pillows as your base. Play cards, order-in dinner and have a Japanese style dining experience; followed by the lights off and a scary movie to cuddle up with your s/o. Homemade s’mores are also an option – make the blanket fort experience as special as possible!

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Get Competitive With Games: Choose between going to one of the many board game cafes in the city like Snakes & Lagers/Lattes or an arcade, like Tilt – or try your hand at Spin! Grab a few drinks and make a score tally to see who wins at the end. A little competitive fun never hurt anyone! It might cost a bit more but it’s still going to be on the cheaper side.

If you’re looking to spend less, play trivia online or have a video game night in the comfort of your own home.

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DIY Night: Have a creative night at home. There are so many fun things you can create together for your shared apartment or as a present for each other. You’ll have to get your own supplies but if you go to the right places, you shouldn’t end up spending too much. Make sure you cover your floors in plastic and get working. Whether you want to get clay and try and make a planter; create your own terrarium, make bath balms or paint a portrait – there are so many fun and special experiences you can do on a budget.

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Create a Three Course Meal (Fancy Cocktails Included): Choose the theme of your meal and create a menu ahead of time. Make sure you do a grocery haul ahead of time to ensure you have the right ingredients. Turn on some music and have a dance party while you cook. It’s a really fun activity to do together and you’ll be proud when you finally get to enjoy the results. 

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Go Tobogganing Or Sledding at Riverdale Park: Looking for a thrill? This is the perfect activity for you and your partner to have together. You don’t have to go very far to have some fun and it costs absolutely nothing! You’ll even get major views of the CN tower. Make sure to be extra careful though – It can get dangerous sometimes. 

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(8) Explore The Beauty of Allan Gardens: Take a romantic stroll through Toronto’s year-round conservatory and feel like you’ve been transported to a different country. Check out the five conservatory areas to experience the indoor garden featuring tropical plants, palm trees, and orchids to cacti. Admission is free and it’s not a bad place to take cute v-day photos! 

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What are other budget-friendly activities you can do this Valentine’s Day?