Valentine’s Day is coming up fast, and if your wallet is feeling more broke than romantic, don’t stress. The truth is, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to plan a date that’s cute, thoughtful, and memorable. With some creativity and your trusty SPC membership, you can impress your Valentine without worrying about that post-date bank account depression.
From cooking together to planning scavenger hunts, here’s a list of DIY date ideas designed to make your Valentine’s heart (and your wallet) happy.
1. Cook Up Some Love with a DIY Dinner Date
Nothing says romance like cooking someone’s favourite meal. It’s intimate, sweet, and way more meaningful than booking a generic restaurant table.
How to make it amazing:
Start with a simple question: What’s your Valentine’s go-to comfort food? (If they’re indecisive, think pasta—it’s always a win.)
Don’t stress about your cooking skills. Hello Fresh has your back with pre-prepped ingredients and recipes. As an SPC member, you can get up to 25 free meals, free breakfast for life, and free shipping on your first box. It’s foolproof and a guaranteed way to impress.
Set the vibe with candles, fairy lights, or that random string of holiday lights you still haven’t taken down.
Pair the meal with dessert from Tim Hortons and score 3x Tim’s Rewards points when you link your SPC membership. Because dessert is non-negotiable.
Pro tip: If cooking isn’t your strength (hello, burnt toast), fall back on Uber Eats and grab 30% off your next order. Serve it up on real plates, and they’ll never know the difference.
2. Plan a Scavenger Hunt Full of Memories
Turn your date into an adventure by planning a personalized scavenger hunt. It’s thoughtful, fun, and full of “aww” moments.
How to make it special:
Write clues that lead to places that mean something to you both—like the coffee shop where you first met or the park where you had your awkward first hug.
Add mini rewards along the way, like chocolate, a cute note, or a small gift. For extra points, snag something thoughtful like a Tim Hortons coffee.
End the scavenger hunt at a cozy spot for a meaningful gift exchange or a picnic date.
For a little extra flair, get prepped with Manscaped. With SPC, you can grab 20% off and free shipping to make sure you’re feeling (and looking) your best for date night.
3. Craft DIY Valentine’s Cards That Are Hilarious and Sweet
Forget overpriced store-bought cards. Handmade Valentine’s cards are not only more personal but also way more fun to make.
How to make it pop:
Break out the markers, glitter, and stickers. Don’t have art supplies? Get creative with e.l.f. Cosmetics (20% off) or Mac Cosmetics (15% off) for unique designs using makeup like lipsticks and eyeshadows.
Write a message that’s funny, sweet, or downright cringy (because let’s be real, cheesy works on Valentine’s Day).
Pair the card with a small treat—like Timbits or a cute baked good.
The effort you put into this will make it way more meaningful than anything you could grab off the shelf.
4. Host a Coffee Shop Date at Home
You don’t need to splurge on fancy coffee shops to enjoy the cozy, latte-filled vibes of one. Recreate the experience at home for a date that’s intimate and cost-effective.
Steps to pull it off:
Brew your favourite drinks. If you’re feeling fancy, try your hand at latte art (even if it looks like a blob).
Set the mood with soft lighting, comfy blankets, and lo-fi beats playing in the background.
Create a “menu” with snacks or desserts you already have. Or grab some Tim Hortons treats and rack up 3x Tim’s Rewards points.
Bonus idea: Include a fun coffee tasting where you each guess flavours or create your own custom blend.
For long-distance couples, turn this into a virtual coffee date—grab your mugs, hop on Zoom, and pretend the Wi-Fi lag isn’t interrupting your flirt game.
5. DIY Movie Night, but Make It Extra
Netflix is cool, but you can take a basic movie night to the next level with a little effort.
How to elevate it:
Set up your living room like a mini theatre with fairy lights, pillows, and blankets.
Create a snack bar with popcorn, candy, and homemade treats.
Pick a themed movie marathon. Love rom-coms? Queue up the classics. Into horror? Add some spooky decorations to your setup.
Wrap it all up with Uber Eats dessert delivery. Use your SPC membership to get 30% off your next order and surprise your Valentine with their fave treat.
Pro tip: Build a blanket fort for bonus “aww” points.
6. Bake Together (and Embrace the Chaos)
Baking is one of those activities where the process is just as fun as the outcome—especially when you’re laughing at the mess you made.
How to make it memorable:
Choose a simple recipe, like cookies or brownies. (Anything that doesn’t require too much precision—just in case.)
Add a competitive twist: Decorate your creations and vote on who did it better.
Take some fun photos of the baking chaos, because if flour isn’t everywhere, did you even bake?
For an even easier option, grab a Hello Fresh baking kit using SPC. With up to 25 free meals and free breakfast for life, you can take the guesswork out of prep and focus on the fun.
7. Plan a Spa Night for Maximum Relaxation
Valentine’s Day doesn’t always have to be go-go-go. Sometimes, a relaxing spa night is all you need to bond and unwind.
How to create the ultimate spa vibes:
Prep with face masks and skincare products from e.l.f. Cosmetics or Mac Cosmetics (hello, SPC discounts).
Light candles, play calming music, and set up a space where you can pamper each other.
Try DIY facials, hand massages, or foot soaks for a low-cost but luxurious experience.
End the night with cozy outfits and a good movie for ultimate comfort.
Final Thoughts: Show Love Without Breaking the Bank
Valentine’s Day isn’t about how much you spend—it’s about how much thought you put into it. Whether it’s cooking dinner, planning a scavenger hunt, or just sharing some Timbits, these ideas are guaranteed to make your Valentine feel special (and your bank account breathe easy).
If you’re not already an SPC member, what are you waiting for? Sign up now here and unlock discounts that make every date sweeter.
SPC Team