Valentine’s Day is celebrated every February 14 in the U.S. (and many other countries). Gifts are often exchanged between loved ones. Couples often share a romantic dinner at home or at a special restaurant. Some families like to celebrate together, adults and children.
The history of the holiday is complex and murky. There are several Saint Valentine’s in Christian religions, but otherwise the holiday is not a Christian tradition and in fact has pagan roots. Other vestiges of the Feast of St. Valentine occurred in the European Middle Ages as a celebration of early spring, when birds begin mating. Today, Valentine’s Day is strictly a retail holiday, when consumers are coaxed into buying flowers, candy, perfume, cards, or other gifts, and making memories with special dinners.
Valentine’s Day Dining Ideas
Valentine’s Day reservations usually need to be made well in advance (at least 30 days ahead). We also think it should be a restaurant you’ve been to before and know you will like. It doesn’t have to be a fancy place. A local fish-n-chips stand will suffice if that has meaning for you and your loved one. Dinner at home can also be a wonderful idea.
Our list of local dining loyalty programs and restaurant gift cards is a great way to save money while dining out for special occasions. We have a few tips for choosing a restaurant loyalty program that best suits your restaurant dining style. These tips can help maximize your savings. Find our list here: Fine dining loyalty programs & restaurant gift cards.
OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America for 2024 lists just two places in Washington State: Il Terrazzo Carmine in Seattle and Over The Moon Café in Tacoma. We’ve got a longer list in mind. If we get a chance, we’ll put it here. Although if you don’t have a reservation by February 1 (and likely much sooner), then popular spots will be booked up.
A good way to save money on special occasion dining is to maximize your dining dollars with restaurant loyalty reward programs & gift cards (greaterseattleonthecheap.com).
You can also think outside the box and do something like wine tasting in Seattle and the Puget Sound region (greaterseattleonthecheap.com) or opt for late-night dining one of these 24-hour restaurants offer dining all day and all night (greaterseattleonthecheap.com). Or surprise your sweetie with a Getaway: Yakima Valley Red Wine & Chocolate Presidents’ Day weekend (145 mi. SE of Seattle) (greaterseattleonthecheap.com).
Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
Before Valentine’s Day, you might want to get in the mood by making Valentine’s cards and other “lovely” arts and crafts. To celebrate the day with the ones you love, there are often special concerts, movies, and other events and entertainment. Some of it is irreverent, because not everyone likes to celebrate the day or be reminded of the lack of love in their life.
Best retailers for gifts, party supplies, holiday decor. Our list of the best places to buy gifts in the Puget Sound region. Our list focuses on local retailers with a variety of products for every occasion and gift recipient on your list. These shopping sources feature unique gifts for every special occasion, from Valentine’s Day to Christmas and graduation to retirement. Many of the brick-and-mortar stores also offer gift certificates and online shopping with delivery directly to your recipient for last minute gifts or when you aren’t sure what to give.
Whatever your inclinations, we peruse local venues and event calendars for fun events to mark the day. You can find these on our event calendar below.
Event calendar of free and affordable things to do
Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do in the next 30 days.
Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.
Find more events and ideas for affordable living at Greater Seattle on the Cheap – Free things to do, cheap fun, discounts and deals in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
