Here’s a take that’s more economical than romantic
I never thought my first Valentine’s date would teach me more about financial planning than romance. Fresh out of university and working at my first real job, I consented to go on a blind date setup for Valentine’s Day.
I had never been on a Valentine’s date before, so I chose to meet at M Dining, a favorite restaurant of mine near my workplace. I assumed our meal would cost around P2,000 to P3,000 for both of us, which seemed reasonable enough for a first job paycheck, especially when the economy was better six years ago.
To my horror (and ignorance), I was stunned to realize that Valentine’s Day meant a special Valentine’s menu, which brought the total bill to a heart-stopping five digits. I had never been more embarrassed.
That gallant person who took most of the brunt of the bill on that first date is now my fiancé. And up to this day, I’m grateful he didn’t run away after I had naively chosen that unexpectedly expensive first date.
This experience opened my eyes to the reality that Valentine’s—for the most part—costs a lot.
As I tried to book a dinner reservation for 2025, I discovered that many premium restaurants have extended their special Valentine’s menus beyond Feb. 14, running from the 12th to the 17th.
No cheating astronomical prices by delaying the day here, although it does give couples more chances to celebrate with hopefully fewer crowds and less traffic.
Besides inflated prices at restaurants, Valentine’s paraphernalia such as flowers and chocolates usually see a price surge, the same way that candy does at Halloween.
Yet, spending habits may be shifting. Despite the pressure to splurge, studies show that Filipinos are becoming more mindful of their expenses. According to a study by global financial institution Visa, Filipinos now lean toward personalized gifts, travel, and intimate dinners rather than extravagant splurges.
Similarly, a Social Weather Station survey last year found that many Filipinos preferred receiving money over traditional Valentine’s presents, hinting at a growing practicality, especially with inflation.
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Still, despite these trends, the marketing machine behind Valentine’s Day has a way of nudging people toward indulgence (and, optimistically, to spoil a partner with love?), much like during Christmas, with the danger of losing the essence of the holiday altogether.
As prices skyrocket, it’s tempting to do a cute, DIY budget picnic in the garden or go for an ironically shabby chic date at a McDonald’s or Burger Machine.
To get a bird’s eye view of the typical cost of Valentine’s gifts and celebrations, here is a general estimation of typical holiday prices.
Typical Valentine’s prices
These days, our modern Valentine’s celebrations seem to have become like an exercise in navigating price hikes. Every person’s appetite, every restaurant’s menu, and every brand’s price list varies, but here are some estimates.
A traditional Valentine’s dinner per couple:
- Premium restaurants: P8,000 to P20,000 (special menu)
- Mid-range restaurants: P3,000 to P5,000
- Casual dining: P1,000 to P2,000
- Fast food Valentine’s packages: P500 to P800
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Flowers:
- A premium bouquet: P3,000 to P15,000 (if, say, you’re going for a double dozen Ecuadorian roses)
- Standard bouquet: P1,000 to P2,500
- A single rose: P129 to P300
- Dried flower arrangements: P1,000 to P2,000
Chocolates:
- Luxury boxes: P1,500 to P3,000
- Mid-range selections: P400 to P1,000
- Basic chocolate bars: P150 to P300
- Local artisanal chocolate: P100 to P600
Other Valentine’s activities for couples:
- Mid-range to luxury overnight hotel stays in the city: P5,000 to P15,000
- Couple spa packages: P3,000 to P12,000
- Concert tickets: P2,500 to P10,000
- Movie date (with snacks): P800 to P1,200
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Thrifty alternatives
When it comes to celebrating love without breaking the bank, creativity can often yield more memorable experiences.
A thoughtfully prepared dinner at home can go a long way depending on your budget, from P1,000 to P2,000. You can pair this with a DIY flower arrangement on an in-person trip to Dangwa too, with a full bouquet at P1,000. Or make homemade chocolate-covered strawberries at P500, just buy both the syrup and the fruits at the grocery. With a little bit of effort, these projects have the potential to create a meaningful evening to rival most premium restaurant experiences.
For the even more cost-conscious romantic, a Netflix movie night with special store-bought snacks like white cheddar popcorn and nougatelli cookies can satiate the tummy for less than P300. Creating a digital memory album on Canva also costs virtually nothing, but can mean all the world to the recipient.
Another thought worth considering is saving up for vacations. Instead of spending P15,000 to P20,000 on a single Valentine’s dinner, why not invest in a weekend getaway? A beach resort stay in Batangas, like at the dog-friendly Acuaverde beach resort, is around P6,000 a night with special rates. So you can stay two nights, with room for food and drinks. Or an escape to Baguio shows many comfortable hotels ranging from P2,000 to P4,000 a night, opening up the possibility for a longer stay.
These travel experiences last longer than a meal. And as surveys suggest, Filipinos are now prioritizing more frugal alternatives, from those DIY projects to future travel. Such as in the case of my fiancé and I, we plan to save this Valentine’s Day and stay in, instead investing in our upcoming wedding.
**
Looking back on that five-digit first date, I shudder at my early naivete on the cost of Valentine’s Day. But I also realize that the most valuable part wasn’t the food but that moment in time where a laughably expensive first date with a stranger has snowballed into what I hope will be a happy marriage (but don’t even get me started on the wedding costs).
Valentine’s will probably always be a pricey occasion in this growing capitalist world. But its real worth persists in the memories the people who celebrate it make, whether those memories come with a steep bill or the cost of two burger combo meals.
As another Valentine’s season rolls around, so does the reminder that love doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. Whether it’s a splurge or something simple, what matters most is making it your own.
