The day is finally here. The day every man wishes it is wiped off the calendar and women long to be treated as queens. But if you are like most guys, you push problems at the back of your mind until the D-Day. So you now have a few hours to come up with something creative and romantic but you are on a tight budget. And if you think she is not expecting anything, think again. Here are a few ideas that you can pull off in a short time and won’t cost you a kidney and an arm.
1. Movies
Movie theaters across the country are offering incredible packages targeting couples on valentine. IMAX Kenya for instance offers great bargains for students with valid student’s I.D. Pick a timeless, romantic film and secure two tickets in advance. Better still you can choose to carry your own drinks and popcorns if your find their prices less friendly.
Movies shouldn’t be limited to theaters only. You can also choose to borrow a projector, connect it to your laptop and a good music system and transform your pad into a movie theater. All you will need after that is a movie with a heart wrenching love story and a couch you can cuddle with your date as you watch it. Remember a movie date isn’t a complete without dinner afterwards.
1) Make a romantic dinner
If you are used to taking her out for dinner or she is the indoor kind of girl its time you change tactic. Try out a new prepare recipe. You can get tutorials on YouTube. Perfect your gastronomic skills then come valentine invite her over for dinner.
You can choose to make dinner before she gets there or have her over to watch you as you make the meal from scratch. If your place has a balcony with a great view then it’s time to make good use of it. Have a candlelit dinner on the balcony, under the moon and stars as great music plays on the back ground.
2) Go camping in the wilderness
Seeing Vals is on a Friday, take advantage of the weekend and choose an escapade outside the city. If she is the outdoor girl, there are several camping sites that are affordable especially KWS parks. Holiday camps offer a wide variety of activities like white water rafting, bungee, kayaking and mountaineering. Paradise Lost, Kiambu, is one of the great camping spots. It’s proximity to the capital and reasonable cost makes it the perfect place to spend the weekend on a limited budget.
To make your stay at the camp a lot more fun, ask your friends and their girlfriends to accompany you there. You can then barbeque some goat ribs, dance with your partner as the musically talent dude in your crew plays a guitar.
3) Visit a shopping mall
With the influx of shopping malls in Kenya you are definitely spoilt for choice. Talk to friends and find out which one offer lots of fun activities at a pocket-friendly price. You can decide to take her bowling, play mini-golf or ice skating at the Panari sky center especially if she is into sports. Don’t worry if she isn’t sporty you can choose to visit the Planet Yogurt, ice-cream Parlors or just go round window shopping.
4) Nature walks and picnics
If your date is an animal lover then taking her to an animal orphanage on valentines would be a great idea. The best time to go there is at midday when they are feeding the animals. Then she will get a chance to feed a giraffe or have a monkey eat nuts from her hair. If you’ve taken her to the zoo before, its time you try out something new. Take her horse ridding at Thigiri ridge in Westlands or Karen Stables. Let her ride on a white horse while you on a black one.
The Nairobi’s arboretum, Safari walk and the Thika 14 falls are some of the coolest picnic places close to the capital. Make some sandwiches, get some drinks and carry a picnic mat. Compose a love poem but if it’s too difficult, get one from the internet, customize it to your liking then recite it to her on your date.
5) Art galleries and museums
If your lady is an ardent art lover then, take her to an art gallery. Bobea Arts center, Donholm is the perfect place. There she would get to meet the very talented artists; you can even organize to have them do a portrait of her.
If she is into history then try the Nairobi National Museum or Railway Museum just a 100m from the Train station. The coolest thing about museums is their ambience and lots of dim-lit rooms you can steal kisses in without having to worry about being arrested for indecent behavior.
6) Dinner at a good restaurant
Valentines is synonymous with fine dining, flowers and chocolates. This is the day to take her out for dinner at a good restaurant. Chips and chicken at a fast food doesn’t pass for a dinner date. Most restaurants display their special menu and price per plate at their entrance. Look for one with a price range that you can easily afford then get there early enough to secure a table.
Before settling on a restaurant, discreetly find out that one dish she fancies most yet she hasn’t had a taste of it then find a restaurant that serves it. Chopstix Chinese Restaurant in Hurlingham is a good pick if she would like to have oriental dishes.
As we all go out to celebrate St Valentines day with our loved ones let us also remember those in the elderly homes, orphanages and hospitals. Make an effort of visiting these places, spread some love and put a smile on someone’s lips.
Wish you all Happy St valentines!
