anniversary & date night

1. Fiesta Night

Pretend you're south of the border and create your own happy hour.

Margarita mix: $2
Tequila: $8
Chips and salsa: $5
Total: $15

2. Roman Holiday
Sometimes the best dates are the most relaxed ones. Mangia!
2 slices of pizza: $5
1 bottle of Three-Buck Chuck: $3
Ice cream for 2: $6
Total: $14

3. Fashion Show
She loves Project Runway, he loves Heidi Klum. Combine your passion for fashion -- then take it all off at home.
Trying on ridiculous outfits at a vintage store: free

Disposable camera: $6
Total: $6

4. Movie Mania
Have the gang over for a BYOB movie night -- but save the make out session for later.

Renting Old School: $5
Booze brought by friends: free
Going streaking through the quad: optional
Popcorn for 20: $10
Total: $15

5. People-Watching
Pick a beautiful day to chill at the park and take in the beauty (and freaks!) of nature.

2 grande lattes: $7
2 croissants: $4
Bench: free
Total: $11

6. Bubbles and Bubbly
Hot tubs are overrated! There’s fun to be had in your very own bathroom.

Bath salts: $5
Bottle of prosecco: $10
Getting clean and being dirty at the same time: priceless
Total: $15

Get more Date Night Ideas from the experts at The Nest

-- Lauren Le Vine

While women will always accept a few traditional red roses on Valentine’s Day, we love it more when you send us a little something that shows you’re thinking about us on one of the other 364 days of the year. Here are some simple but seriously swoony ideas that are sure to be recognized with a few extra x’s and o’s.

Check out our tips to romance here.

For most guys, Valentine’s Day is just like any other: While it’s great to get a little something extra on the national day of love, he’ll love you that much more for a special treat on an un-Hallmark holiday. Invent your own reason to celebrate by surprising him with one of these sexy couple concepts.

Check out our tips to romance him here.

Fun doesn’t have to equal lots of dollars. Check out these Nesties' date-night ideas!

1. Go to the movies for cheap. There are ways to do movie dates on a budget: "Find second-run theaters. They cost about $2 per person per show. Or go to a matinee of a current movie." --SUE_SUE

2. Make it a lunch date. "Order from the lunch menu -- it's cheaper than dinner and the portions aren't that much smaller." --MATTESMAGIC

3. Go to a cooking class. "Go to Williams-Sonoma and attend one of their cooking demos." You'll have some new recipes to try instead of going to a restaurant, so you'll save even more money. --DARINGMISS

4. Rethink tool time. Cooking stores aren't the only places with free how-tos: "Hardware stores like Lowe's and The Home Depot have DIY seminars. You can both learn to fix things, and it's fun and free!" --QPIX

5. Make a reservation -- for dessert. "We go to our favorite ice-cream shop and get sundaes, then drive around town and get in some quiet time." --OSUWIFEY09

6. Have a Wii night. You've already invested in a Wii, now use it for date night. "We have date-night Wii tourneys and make some interesting bets to spice things up. Anything goes, from doing dishes to sexual favors!" --ENICLAIRD

7. Hit the links. "A really fun date is going to the golf course and playing just nine holes. I did that recently with my husband. Even if you guys aren't good, it's still fun." -- BRIGHTEYES888

8. Volunteer together. For a feel-great date: "Volunteer together somewhere. One of my favorites was volunteering for a local farm to harvest veggies that are then sold at ridiculously low prices to people in need. We had a blast and felt great about helping. Cost: gas money." --SPINCAT9

9. Step up to the plate. "My husband and I take a bat and a ball to a local school and play around." Get into it with knee-high socks, baseball hats or even your favorite team's jersey. --BRIDE2BNVA

10. Get crafty with your home improvements. Decorate and date! "My husband and I do silly, crafty things. For example: We'll go to A.C. Moore or Michaels craft store and buy things that we can make to decorate the outside of our house!" --KLASALA318

11. Go on a field trip. Soak up culture free of charge: "Our neighborhood library has free passes to local museums. You can check out the passes like a library book." --DARINGMISS

12. Read all about it. "If you look in any local paper, you can usually find an entertainment section full of cheap activities in the next few days." Stick to your own neighborhood so you won't have to use extra gas or waste travel time. --DERNIERMOT

13. Pack a picnic in the park. Pack a picnic basket: blanket, bottle of wine, cheese, fruit, etc. -- but be warned: "We did this once to be cheap, and ended up spending about $70. So, make sure it's an inexpensive bottle of wine and cheap cheese." --ANHG80

14. Take a staycation. You don't even have to leave the city limits: "We live in San Francisco, so we visit the Japanese Tea Garden and pack a lunch. You'll get to experience a little bit of another country right inside Golden Gate Park." --BRITTNEY

15. Have a theme night. "Schedule a theme dinner and movie night at home." Create a menu based on the movie you're watching (i.e., spaghetti for a Francis Ford Coppola flick) and make it together before watching. --MELLY_BELLIE

Who says romance is dead? These loving gestures will keep the flame burning every day -- not just on your anniversary and Valentine’s Day. (Promise you’ll indulge on other days too!)

A Massage

For Her: We suggest opting for the surprise gift certificate for an afternoon of pampering at a local day spa. Throw in a couple of other treatments, like a manicure and pedicure, to make her swoon over your thoughtfulness even more.

For Him: Guys are easy -- they’ll readily skip the day spa for a sensual, full-body massage from their significant other any day of the week. All you need to set the scene are candles, massage oil, and some sexy lingerie.

A Movie

For Her: Suck it up and throw her favorite tear-jerking romance on your Netflix queue. Turn the lights down low, make a batch of popcorn (extra butter!), and she’ll snuggle up next to you on the couch. You may not even have to watch the whole movie…

For Him: A superhero movie or the latest action flick may not be your first choice at the multiplex (nor does it seem very romantic), but chances are going to see one would make your guy very happy, especially with a large box of Snocaps mixed into your popcorn.

A Mini Vacation

For Her: Sweep her off her feet with a surprise weekend at a bed-and-breakfast in your local wine district or a short trip to someplace warm.

For Him: Why should he and his bros get to have all the fun weekends away together? Grab your guy and head to Vegas, baby!

A “Just Because I Love You” Gift

For Her: It’s a time-honored and tried-and-true favorite: Send flowers to her at work. She’ll have some desk decoration to brighten up her day and make her think of you whenever she looks at them.

For Him: Present him with tickets to his favorite team’s next game or the latest video game he’s been eagerly awaiting. You’ll have a very happy guy on your hands.

A Fancy Meal

For Her: Make reservations at that restaurant the two of you have been talking about trying for ages. Get dressed up for dinner and linger over dessert, giving each other sexy looks across the table.

For Him: Cook up an elaborate breakfast with his favorite treats, like French toast, fresh-squeezed OJ, and eggs. Then, serve them while he’s still in bed. He’ll feel like a king!

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