Valentine’s Day often focuses on love, flowers, and expensive dinners. But who says it has to be about romance alone? Friendship deserves its own spotlight, and February 14th is a great excuse to gather your besties for a day of connection and laughter. Even better, you don’t need to spend a dime to make the day special. From DIY activities to outdoor adventures, here are fun and free ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your friends.
1. Host a movie marathon
For a foolproof Valentine’s Day celebration, gather your friends for a cosy night in, or day, if you prefer, with a lineup of classic rom-coms or friendship-themed movies like Beaches. To make it completely cost-free, you can stream films on Netflix or other streaming platforms. To set the vibe, don’t skimp out on popcorn and homemade snacks. The key is to use whatever’s already in your pantry, and we’re sure there’s a bottle of wine somewhere.
Don’t know what to watch? Check out our Galentine’s Day movie list!
2. Organise a potluck picnic
Malaysian weather has been somewhat unpredictable lately, but if the weather permits, why not head to a local park for a potluck picnic? Get everyone to bring a dish they can make with ingredients they already have at home. Spread out blankets, share stories, and enjoy the fresh air as you and your friends indulge in delicious home-cooked food.
Haven’t a clue where to go? Here are eight scenic picnic spots as suggestions.
3. Take a scenic hike or walk
Get outside and explore a nearby trail, beach, or nature reserve. Walking together boosts your mood and holds space for deep conversations, which is always a great way of connecting with friends. Plus, you’ll all get some exercise while taking in cute views and fresh air.
Check out one of these hiking trails near Kuala Lumpur, or take a walk at an urban park in KL.
4. Have a DIY craft night
Okay, this might cost some coin but not if you get smart. Encourage each other’s creativity to shine by hosting a craft session. Raid your stash of old magazines, paper, and supplies to create handmade Valentine’s cards for each other or decorative items for your homes. It’s a fun and relaxing way to spend time together while flexing your artistic muscles.
5. Host a game night
Dust off your favourite board games or deck of cards and enjoy a chilled and lighthearted competitive game night. If you don’t own any physical games, you can try free online multiplayer games that everyone can join in on from their phones or laptops. Alternatively, you can create your very own trivia night on websites like Kahoot!
6. Create a friendship time capsule
Celebrate your bond by creating a time capsule filled with memories, letters, and small mementoes. Write down your favourite inside jokes, future goals, and meaningful notes to each other. Pick a date in the future to open it together and reminisce about the good times.
Check out this guide on how to make a time capsule.
7. Exchange personal playlists
Create custom playlists for each other to share your favourite songs or music that reminds you of your friendships. We believe curating a playlist is an art and should be a language in itself. Then, spend time listening together and discussing why each track made the cut. It’s a personal and meaningful way to connect over shared music.
Take inspiration from this Spotify playlist.
8. Try a photoshoot adventure
Turn your city or neighbourhood into a photography playground. Dress up in fun outfits and use your phones to take some Insta-worthy candid and posed shots. Take the fun photoshoot outdoors or keep it indoors at a beautifully designed cafe.
Here are some Insta-worthy cafes to check out!
9. Volunteer together
Spend Valentine’s Day giving back to your community. Volunteer at a local animal shelter, clean up a park or help out at a food bank. Helping others is a great way to bond and feel good about making a difference together.
Try volunteering at PAWS for a start.
10. Check out a free local event
Check out your local community boards or online event listings for fun, free things to do on Valentine’s Day. There might be concerts, open mic nights, or free days at the museum. You could find something cool going on nearby that you can enjoy as a group.
