by Charley Johnson
News Editor
Making plans for Valentine’s Day can be tricky, especially with a small budget. Here is a list of “Low Dollar Dates,” date options that range from $50 all the way down to spending nothing at all!
$50- One great date option for a budget of about $50 is Top Golf. If you plan to attend Top gold before 5pm it costs 49$ for an hour at one bay- which can fit up to six people. However, if you plan to attend Top Golf after 5pm the prices do increase. On the other hand, if you go between open and noon the price is only $38 per hour for one bay. Besides Top Golf, many fast-food chains have menu options for $50 and below.
$30- Some great options for a budget of $30 are restaurants including- Panera, Fujiyama, Dominos, among many others. All of these places and many others have menu options to share or to eat individually that stay within a $30 budget. Another great date option within this price range is Pottery Patch. Pottery Patch is located in Dunkirk and may require a reservation for larger parties or on holidays, but walk-ins are also welcome! When going to Pottery Patch you have the opportunity to pick a ceramic to paint such as plates, figurines, mugs, seasonal/holiday themed decorations, among other items. The prices of these items tend to vary between $20 to $30 but you can also find options for less or more.
$20- What can you do with just a $20 bill? Well, some great food choices around Dunkirk include Peri Peri where they offer choices from tacos to chicken sandwiches. This restaurant has comfortable seating arrangements and a welcoming atmosphere which would make for a great sit-down dinner option. Another great option is Mod Pizza, with locations in Prince Fredrick and Dunkirk. Mod pizza has a similar set-up similar to Chipotle where you build and customize your own meal as you stand there. Mod also has great dessert options such as their Mega Cookie and special Valentines Day themed No Name Cakes. If you’re looking for date options for $20 other than food, Putt Putt at K&K Adventure Park in Prince Fredrick is a fun choice! Ticket prices vary depending on what activities you would like to participate in and how many people are in your party.
$10- With a $10 budget one great date option is a baking date! Cookie dough can be purchased at any grocery store, with prices varying between brands and flavors, but most tend to be around $5 to $7. You can also purchase a box of cake mix and a container of cake icing for about $4 and $3 at any grocery store. A baking date is a great opportunity to test your decorating skills and have fun in the kitchen! You can also purchase raw ingredients and make your own cake mix/cookie dough at home- this may increase the price depending on the ingredients listed in the recipe. Another great $10 date is Sweet Frog. Sweet Frog has locations in Annapolis and Prince Fredrick, prices depend on the weight of the ice cream- more ice cream/toppings increase the price.
$5- For just $5 some fun date options are an ice cream and at-home movie date. You can purchase a container/tub of ice cream at local grocery stores, convenience stores, or gas stations for $5 and under. This is a great snack to have while enjoying a movie from the comfort of your couch! Another $5 option is a Dollar Tree Picnic. If you go to your local Dollar Store and purchase snacks and drinks and bring a blanket from home, you have the perfect picnic setup. Just head to a local park or beach, lay out the blanket, and enjoy nature while you snack and talk!
Free- Some great date options for free include taking a walk along the North Beach Boardwalk. If you take this walk around 5pm you also have the opportunity to relax on one of their benches or the beach and enjoy watching the sunset. Sunset watching is another great free date option. You could do this from the comfort of your home, at a local beach, or you could set up some blankets and pillows in a truck bed and enjoy watching the sunset from there! Finally, a fun free date option is a drive-in movie. Some drive-in movie theatres in Maryland are free for entrance, however, food/snacks are an additional cost.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be expensive! There are great date options even for couples who have a budget. Whether you spend $50 dollars or nothing on a date, it’s about who you are spending it with, not how much you spend. The memories matter more than the money.