These Valentine's Day Date Ideas Are The Best Ways Celebrate Love This Year
Don’t Let COVID Restrictions Curb Your Romance With These Safe Valentine’s Day Date Ideas - Page 5
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Even though COVID cases are on the decline, I can’t be the only one who’s not a fan of either going out to a large restaurant or catching a movie in a packed theater as my main two date options for a Valentine’s Day. With restrictions still being enforced in many parts of the country, and wearing masks being the new normal, for many like me it just doesn’t seem quite safe yet to be out and about like we would be any other V-Day. That being said, whether you’re in need of some inspiration for cute dates that are socially distanced, or you’re just looking for some fun and creative dates that you might not have thought of before (that just so happen to be COVID-restriction friendly), keep reading for some fresh ideas on how you can spend time with your partner this Valentine’s Day.
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Have an at-Home Wine Tasting
For the couple that’s looking for a classy and sophisticated way to spend time together, check out your local winery and pick up some bottles to have an intimate and romantic wine tasting from the comfort of your home. To set up the scene, consider picking up some candles or dimming the lights at your place, and even throwing on some slow jams or light jazz music in the background. All the ambiance will help get the atmosphere comfortable and cozy. If wine isn’t up you and your partner’s alley, it can easily be switched out for different artisanal beers you can pick up at the grocery store. As an alternative, you and your boo can mix up some cocktails together.
If you’re going with the wine, create a charcuterie or cheese board so you and your partner have something to snack on. The platters can be filled with a combination of anything that will work for the both of you, and can include seasonal fruits and veggies, a variety of cheeses, nuts, and/or feature dried and cured meats.
P.S., if you’re paying for the wines, have your partner pitch in for the accompaniments that go on the platter.
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Go on a Walk Together but Don’t Keep It Basic!
Please don’t underestimate this idea. To keep it real, this date could be an awesome option for two different types of couples. If you and your partner have been working really hard lately and are both constantly glued to your electronic screens, find a local spot for you to take a romantic stroll so the both of you can spend some quality time together. Whether it’s a walk along a promenade, or an exciting stroll down your area’s main street, this could be a great opportunity for you and your love to re-connect and get some fresh air.
As an alternative, f you and your partner are the outdoorsy type and enjoy being surrounded by nature, take this idea to a more adventurous level by finding a local park and going for a hike.
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Paint Together
This is for all the couples who want to bond while unlocking their inner artists. If you or your partner is a creative, this is a great way to connect while keeping it close to home! All you’ll need to make this date idea happen is some canvases from the craft store, some paintbrushes, and of course, the paint itself.
You and your partner can each paint something for the other person, or if you share a home together, aim to both paint beautiful pieces that you can display within your space. They’ll serve as great reminders of your love every time you pass by them.
Additionally, if you and your love have a sense of humor, try painting each other’s portraits for a good laugh!
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Take a Virtual Cooking Class
We all know a person who shows their love through feeding others. If that sounds like you, or you and your boo are just that couple who like to spend some time in the kitchen, search up a virtual cooking class that the two of you would be able to take and have that be the perfect way you spend this Valentine’s Day. Find a class that will be preparing a menu that the both of you will enjoy, and make sure to go purchase the ingredients you’ll need and proper kitchen tools (if necessary) to help ensure the process isn’t stressful. You want to make sure that you guys will have a delicious meal at the end of the class.
If you and your partner have a bit of a competitive streak, spice up this date idea by making it a cook-off! Whatever the menu is, each of you will prepare a portion for one and have total creative control to make the recipe your own. After cooking, the both of you can test each other’s versions and whoever did the best job recreating the original recipe wins.
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Have a Sing-a-Long or Karaoke Night
Many couples bond over music, so take this date idea and use it to your advantage. Have karaoke night at home and either line up some duets, or battle it out in an epic vocal showdown. Whatever you decide to do, make sure music is available that’s a vibe for both you and your partner. To ensure there are no technical difficulties, also ensure that if there’s any equipment you guys need to make the night a success, it’s already purchased and set up before the date is supposed to start.
Genres that always set the mood right for a fun time include, ’90s hip-hop, ’90s R&B, 2010s pop, and ’80s pop ballads.
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Have a Spa Night and Give Each Other Massages
This one is definitely good for those couples who need some tender loving care, or those who share the love language of physical touch. Order some fancy matching robes and slippers for you and your man to rock while you both pamper each other. Do face masks, foot rubs, and have some food and drinks on deck that will be both nourishing and healthy.
Show your partner you care and how much you appreciate their hard work by spending time to give them a well-deserved massage. Have nice oils and creams ready to get the job done, and make sure you’re listening out to hear what feels good for them and what doesn’t. Consider having a diffuser on with a few drops of a calming essential oil like lavender or eucalyptus, and dim the lights so that they can really get into zen mode.
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Plan to Do an Epic Scavenger Hunt
For those who are young at heart, this is a fun and adventurous way you and your partner can exchange gifts on V-Day. Grab some post-it notes and write up tiny clues or directions that will lead your partner to their gift. If you play your cards right by leaving your hints in the right places and spacing out when your partner will see them, you might be able to have them giddy with excitement and anticipation for a whole day or several days, all while waiting for the next hint that will eventually lead them to finding out or opening what their actual gift is.
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Picnic Brunch
This date idea is a really sweet and romantic option if you do it right. Find a spot with a nice view, or a park where you and your partner will be able to spend some one-on-one time together. Make sure to come prepared with all the things you might need for an amazing picnic. Have a huge blanket you guys can lay out on the ground and a few extra to snuggle up with. Even consider bringing some pillows if you wish. In your picnic basket, things you might include are sandwiches, spreads, cheese, crackers, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a champagne bottle with some flutes so you can toast to your shared love. Do whatever you can to make this one magical!
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Go to Your Favorite Destination, All From the Comfort of Your Living Room
Okay, this one is for all those who love to travel but can’t because of COVID restrictions. Since #baecations aren’t as doable as they used to be, spend the time and effort to recreate your favorite destination together, or a destination the two of you would like to visit, right within your home. It might sound like a daunting task, but if you’re up for it, it could be a cute little way for you and your partner to spend some time together and use your imaginations.
Depending on your budget or what you already have laying around from a previous trip, spice up your space with some moments from the place you and your partner plan to “travel” to. If it’s Paris, have an Eiffel Tower centerpiece front and center. If it’s Marrakesh, order some leather poufs for you and your boo to sit on. If it’s Mexico City, add some vibrant pops of color into your space. It’s all about bringing the energy of that city or country into your home.
The next thing you can do is obvious. Have some food available that represents the cuisine of the city or country you guys are focusing on. If it can’t be delivered, or you can’t pick it up, the both of you could even try cooking it together as an additional way to attempt connecting with that place’s culture. If you’re going to explore Italy for example, order from the best pizza place in town or try making pasta at home.
The main thing that ties this whole idea together is picking out a virtual tour of the place you guys are “traveling” through so that you can both become immersed in a place that’s not the one you’re currently in. If you have a projector in your home, set it up so you can experience the tour through that and put on the surround sound. If you have some trouble picking out a place to go or finding a great virtual tour, this list (which includes places like South Africa, Japan, Chile, and Switzerland) might help.
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Have a Game Night and Make It Epic!
For those competitive couples who are always battling it out against their partner, use Valentine’s Day to have the ultimate game night. Whether it’s video games, board games, party games, or a combination of the three, you and your partner go toe-to-toe and see who ends up being the ultimate champion.
To make sure everything stays in good light-hearted fun, after every game, despite who wins or who loses, you and your boo both share something about the other person that makes you love them more and happy to have them around!
