Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and while it is common to splurge on your significant other on this romantic day, not everyone may want to do so. Eating out or getting Valentine’s day gifts can be expensive, as many establishments often cash in on this holiday.
While you might be tempted to blow your bonus on a special meal or gift this year, saving money for when travel opens up again might be the better option. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly experience beyond the typical wine-and-dine this Valentine’s Day 2021, here are 6 budget Valentine’s Day ideas for you and your loved one to try out!
1. Head out for a romantic picnic (Free to ~$50)
Pic credit: Now Boarding by Changi Airport
Though it may be tempting to go out for a romantic meal on Valentine’s Day, restaurants have started charging extra around the holiday, meaning there is a high chance you will be burning a hole in your pocket if you opt to eat out.
A budget-friendly alternative is to go for a romantic picnic to catch the sunset! Picnics are the perfect opportunity to get to spend more time with your significant other, as you won’t have to worry about the restaurant’s turnaround time of 1.5 hours - typical for a busy day like Valentine’s Day.
If crowds are not your thing, then a picnic is a great way to get some quiet time alone too. Being outdoors also means that you will get the chance to catch the sunset depending when you plan to have your picnic.
Instead of heading to the usual spots like Marina Barrage and or the beaches at Sentosa, avoid the crowds by visiting a lesser-known picnic spot! We recommend spots like Hort Park or Fort Canning, which are not only quieter but closer to nature. Home to sprawling green lawns, Hort Park is the perfect location for some quiet time to spend with your loved one.
Tip: Don’t feel like preparing your own food? Head to Don Don Donki’s Food Hall to grab your meal before heading for your picnic, or if you don’t mind spending a little more, there are services that provide special picnic baskets that include food and beverages.
2. Go hiking with your significant other (Free!)
Pic credit: The Synchronal (Dairy Farm Nature Park)
While the COVID-19 situation in Singapore is better than in most countries, many might still be hesitant about mingling with others in public. How about exploring a quieter part of Singapore this Valentine’s Day?
Singapore is home to countless hiking and nature paths, which means there is no shortage of places to explore. For couples that love the outdoors, reconnecting with nature is the perfect chance to not only escape the crowds, but to spend some quality time with each other. Instead of hiking the usual trails such as the Treetop Walk at Macritchie Reservoir or Sungei Buloh, plan a trip to lesser-known paths this Valentine’s Day!
If you are a beginner, there are shorter trails with paved paths. We recommend the Fort Canning Trail - you can even stop at Fort Canning Green for a picnic afterwards too!
Fort Canning Trail
Route covers 9 historical gardens
Nearest MRT Station: Fort Canning MRT
Duration of hike: 2 hours
For those looking for a slightly more challenging trail to work off those Chinese New Year goodies, we recommend visiting the Southern Ridges where you can stop at Hort Park for a picnic.
Southern Ridges (Route A)
Route starts from Mount Faber Park and ends at Kent Ridge Park.
Nearest MRT station: Harbourfront MRT
Duration of hike: 3-5 hours
If you and your significant other are avid hikers looking for a new challenge, the Dairy Farm Nature Park provides a real jungle trekking experience. Located away from the city, the trails there take you to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve as well!
P.S: The trail is so gorgeous that couples often choose to have their wedding shoots there!
Dairy Farm Nature Park (Wallace Trail)
Route starts from Carpark A
Nearest MRT station: Hillview MRT Station
Duration of hike: About 1.5 hours
3. Plan a day of museum hopping (Free to ~$10 )
Pic credit: National Gallery Singapore
You might have trained your significant other to be an “Instagram boyfriend” or “Instagram husband”, but there is no better way to put their skills to the test, than with a day of museum hopping!
Although Singapore is a small island, it is home to many museums and art galleries, which house some of the most insta-worthy exhibitions! You might not have updated your Instagram feeds much because of the lack of travel photos, but a trip to the museum can easily solve that.
Entry to certain museums in Singapore are free for Singapore citizens, but ticketed exhibitions are not too expensive either. Admission to the following museums in Singapore is FREE for Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents:
Asian Civilisations Museum (1 Empress Place)
National Museum of Singapore (93 Stamford Road)
The Peranakan Museum (39 Armenian Street)
Singapore Philatelic Museum (23-B Coleman Street)
Indian Heritage Centre (5 Campbell Lane)
Malay Heritage Centre (85 Sultan Gate)
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (12 Tai Gin Road)
Reflections at Bukit Chandu (31-K Pepys Road)
Army Museum of Singapore (520 Upper Jurong Road)
National Gallery Singapore (1 St Andrew’s Road)
Former Ford Factory (351 Upper Bukit Timah Road)
Singapore Art Museum (71 Bras Basah Road)
Singapore Discovery Centre (510 Upper Jurong Road)
Here are some Monster Day Tours approved museums / exhibits to visit:
Future World @ Art Science Museum (Pic credit: Art Science Museum)
Ng Teng Fong Garden @ National Gallery Singapore (Pic credit: Danamic)
National Museum Singapore (Pic credit: National Heritage Board)
4. Go on a romantic sunset sail, dinner included ($50/pax)
Surprising your significant other with a short getaway on Valentine’s Day may be one of the most romantic gestures out there, but with travel still on hold, an overseas holiday is not possible at the moment.
While there are many alternatives to trips such as a staycation or a cruise to nowhere, most of them can be quite costly. An alternative to such would be a Discovery Sunset Sail!
While sunset sail dinner cruises can be costly, the Southern Islands Discovery Sunset Sail by Monster Day Tours is bound to create a memorable experience for both you and your significant other. Set sail on a chartered ferry as you explore Singapore’s impressive landscape with a gorgeous sunset to boot!
The sail comes with a specially prepared bento dinner, as well as a guide on-board who will share legends and forgotten stories of the Southern Islands. This unique experience is the first public guided sea tour of the Southern Islands, and is a special partnership between Monster Day Tours and Marina South Ferries. Not only is the experience affordable, but you can even claim your SingapoRediscover vouchers when booking!
To find out more about the Southern Islands Discovery Sunset Sail, click here.
5. Unleash your artistic side (From $110/couple)
Pic credit: ArtFlock
Art jamming is slowly becoming a popular activity in Singapore, and there is no better way to express your love for your significant other than through a piece of art!
With more and more art studios opening up in Singapore, there is no shortage of workshops available for those interested. From oil painting to pottery and even pour art, there is a type of art class for everyone out there. If you’re looking for a studio that offers a variety of different classes, check out ArtFlock!
Located in Thomson, the studio offers a large variety of classes and workshops for both adults and children. Whether you’re a beginner or have attended many classes, ArtFlock has a class for you and your significant other.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day 2021, the studio will be having a special Pop Art portrait painting workshop for couples that will be held on 14th-16th February 2021. For more details on the workshop, click here.
6. Challenge your partner to a game of mini-golf (From $20/person)
Pic credit: Holey Moley
If you and your significant other love a little friendly competition, a game of mini-golf is the perfect date activity!
One of the most well-known mini-golf courses in Singapore is Holey Moley, located in the heart of Clarke Quay. With over 20 different unique themed courses such as shark-infested waters and glow-in-the-dark holes, this mini-golf course is the perfect place to let off some steam and have an enjoyable evening with your date.
Not only is Holey Moley home to some of the craziest mini-golf courses in Singapore, but there is also a bar called the Caddyshack, where you can dig into some delicious food after your game of mini-golf. A little competitive game of mini-golf paired with drinks is the perfect date night for those looking for something special to do this Valentine’s Day.
Tip: Holey Moley is also known for its insta-worthy set up, so make sure you snap some photos while you’re there!
Budget-friendly dates
Coming up with something romantic to do every Valentine’s Day can be stressful, especially when you are working on a budget. Still not sure what to do this year? Leave the planning to us and go on a special experience you will never forget! From tea tasting to food tours and even a romantic sunset sail, our themed experiences promise a unique date experience as you explore Singapore with us. For more details, click here!
Bonus: Anndol Floral (value-for-money florist)
Pic credit: Anndol Floral
If you find it such a waste to spend a bomb on fresh flowers, only for them to rot and be tossed out in the trash a week later, why not consider preserved flowers? They are still real flowers, just that they last for months and even up to a year with proper care. These usually cost an arm and a leg to procure, but we stumbled across the underrated gem that is Anndol Floral! They have a variety of preserved flowers available in bouquets or vases, including special Valentine’s Day bouquets. They also have a Chinese New Year collection available, if you want to give your loved one a bouquet for the huat!
If I were you, I would keep my eyes peeled for the weekly specials, going for $38 per jar of preserved flowers. The best part about ordering from them is that you can have your flowers delivered before Valentine’s Day. Going out on the day itself can be costly, which is why celebrating earlier might be a financially-savvy choice. Do take note that if you would like your flowers to be delivered on Valentine’s Day itself, the last day to place your orders would be on 8 February as there are limited slots available.
Preserved in Nude and Dainty Red ($65)
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