Last-minute Valentine's Day Date Ideas

The annual day of love is just around the corner, and maybe you wait on planning something until the last possible minute like I do. If you are stuck on what to do with your date that doesn't involve begging for a reservation or spending $200 on flowers, try one (or some) of these ideas out:

Aphrodisiacs, anyone? There's nothing that says "I love you" like a home-made romantic dinner, provided you aren't serving instant Mac and Cheese. There are plenty of foods that conjure up amorous feelings that aren't that difficult to obtain. Oysters, avocado, basil (caprese anyone?), and chocolate are some good ingredients to play with.

Get outside. Play hooky from work in the morning and take your date hiking, bike riding, or if it's snowing, try ice skating. Enjoying the outdoors together is a fun, inexpensive way to bond.

Scavenger hunt. Maybe you haven't done this since you were a kid, but it's a fun and thoughtful gesture and doesn't have to be a lot of work. Write 3-4 notes giving clues as to where the next note lies. The last hiding place can be at a romantic spot that means something to both of you...like where you first met or your first date. Be there to greet him/her with a glass of wine.

Buy some coconut or jojoba oil and surprise your date with a romantic candle-lit massage. These oils are all natural, absorbent, and don't have the strong smell of some spa brands. They also make good lubricants.

Long-distance love. If you have some time and have a love that lives far away (or even if she lives near), get a pretty box or glass jar and fill it with 52 notes of love, whether it's a quote, a wish, a poem, or a loving statement about your date. Each week, she can pick a new one out of the box and think of you until Valentine's Day next year.