5 ways to woo without breaking the bank
By Isabelle Bennett, Contributor
Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s day with your significant other, ‘Galentine’s Day’ with your girl gang or your persisting independence which requires daily appreciation, there are many ways to make Feb. 14 meaningful and memorable here in Calgary. Here are five ideas that are budget-friendly, allowing you to save your money for what’s really important — discounted chocolate on Feb. 15.
Glow
Lovely people of all ages are invited to summit rainbows, make wishes and see-saw their way through the downtown winter light festival, featuring interactive light displays, art installations and other entertaining activities. Admission is free, allowing you to spend your shekels on tasty treats from the event’s food trucks. Nothing ignites cuddling more than the romantic downtown cityscape or frigid Canadian temperatures. Glow will run nightly from Feb. 14 to Feb. 18 between the hours of 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. For more information, go to experienceglow.com.
Wacky bowling
The media makes it seem as though bowling is only an excuse made by parents with a secret agenda to accomplish — I’m looking at you, The Incredibles. But this sport can be a surprisingly fun way to get the endorphins flowing on a weekend. For those of us without a golden arm, wacky bowling is a great way to level the lane out a bit. The goal of the game remains the same, but each round has special rules like bowling backwards, with closed eyes or while wearing mittens to add a bit of intrigue.
Mountain View Bowling is a retro Calgary gem with five and 10-pin bowling options from $6.50 to $8.50. If you’re hoping to woo the one you’re with, be sure to wear an outfit compatible with bowling shoes and if you’re going on a weekend, something that will have you radiating under black light!
More ideas can be found online at Diva Girl Parties and Stuff website.
Ice skating
It’s safe to assume anyone who’s seen Elf has dreamed of living out Buddy’s Etch A Sketch list, of which ice skating is an important part — especially for anyone planning on eating an entire roll of cookie dough. While Calgary is home to many outdoor rinks, Prince’s Island Park is an especially beautiful option and Olympic Plaza has a skate rental shop right on site. Skate rentals typically cost around $6 to $12 for the day and hot chocolate typically costs $2 to $6 (just saying). Don’t fret if balancing on tiny blades with only ice to break your fall isn’t where your strength lies — use it as an opportunity to hold your partner’s hand.
Blanket fort movie night
Also known as a pillow fort, sheet fort or heaven on earth, blanket forts are an excellent way to bring a movie date from “meh” to “wow.” Gather all of your soft and fuzzy things, a string of white lights and some duct tape together to create a surprise your loved one will love to cosy up in. If you’re planning a hang out with your friends, invite everyone to bring some supplies and collaborate on the construction stage. Top off the evening with a fantastic flick, refreshing beverages and treats to nibble while you watch — you can’t go wrong with grapes, Chicago Mix Popcorn and Sour Patch Kids!
Candlelight dinner
It can be tough to make dinner dates on a tight budget, but one fun way to do so is making dinner yourself! A formal table setting, an easy listening playlist and a few candles is the recipe for a boujie night in. To add extra ambience, notify your guest about a formal dress code with a classy invitation. Ask them to reply with their order request or surprise them entirely with one of the recipes found on The Adventure Bite website.
