If you're a romantic at heart who looks forward to Valentine's Day every year, but you prefer a cozy evening in over noisy crowds and advance reservations, get inspired by these at-home Valentine's Day ideas. Celebrate and spend quality time with your loved one by enjoying these low-key (but super fun) activities.
Plan a Movie Night Marathon
Cuddling up for a movie night is a cozy way to celebrate Valentine's Day with your significant other. Whether you are looking for Hallmark style chick flicks or a romantic movie with a touch of drama, there are plenty of movies to choose from. Make movie style popcorn or jazz it up by drizzling melted chocolate and adding fun heart sprinkles for a memorable Netflix and chill night.
Indulge in Fondue for Two
If the way to your partner's heart is through their stomach, there's nothing more romantic than fondue for two. Set out a pot of melted chocolate and dippers, such as fresh fruit and cookies. If savory food is preferred, make a pot of melted cheese with an array of vegetables, pretzels and bread as dippers.
Cook Something Delicious Together
Spending time in the kitchen is a great way to bond and reconnect with your partner. Decide on a special dish you two can cook together while enjoying a glass of wine and appetizers.
Get Crafty Together
Invite your loved one to craft something special as a duo. If your partner is not into crafts, opt for a project that's perfect for beginners. Try painting a blank canvas together to spruce up a room in your house, or creating salt dough ornaments you can treasure for years to come.
Make Heart-Shaped Pizza
If you and your partner are big pizza lovers, an evening filled with pizza making is the perfect choice for Valentine's Day. If you are feeling extra creative, make heart-shaped pizza or use a heart cookie cutter to cut out pepperoni. Have a bottle of wine ready, one that pairs with your choice of pizza toppings.
Serenade Your Sweetheart
If you love to sing or play a musical instrument, plan a romantic Valentine's Day evening and serenade your partner with songs that are meaningful to both of you. Even if you sound pitchy, your love will appreciate the romantic gesture and effort.
Cheers to a Champagne and Cupcakes Night
When Valentine's Day involves cupcakes and champagne, the celebration is bound to be successful. Whether you are planning to bake cupcakes from scratch or order from your favorite bakery, remember to add your special touch by sprucing them up with heart sprinkles or edible toppers. You can even get cheesy and gather a few pictures of special occasions you have spent together and create your own cupcake toppers. Opt for a champagne bottle that complements your sweets.
Bake Some Goodies
If baking all the things is something you have been enjoying doing for as long as you can remember, encourage your partner to join in on the fun of your baking adventures. For Valentine's Day, opt for a special recipe you haven't done before so you and your loved one can enjoy a new baking experience together.
Freshen Up Your Space
If you have a few home design projects in mind that you have been postponing for quite some time now, it's time to put those plans into action. Invite your partner to hang that wall art that has been sitting in the garage for months, or simply suggest rearranging some of the furniture to freshen up your space.
Enjoy a Game for Two
Plan a fun Valentine's Day filled with board games that are just as fun to play with two people as they are with a group of friends. Set out snacks and drinks you and your partner will absolutely enjoy during an exciting board game marathon.
Spend Time Gardening
Doing some gardening on Valentine's Day is a relaxing way to spend a lovely holiday together. You and your partner can prune roses and remove dead branches and any bloom stalks left over from last year, plant cool weather vegetables such as spinach, onions, lettuce, Swiss chard, in your garden or start flowers and vegetables that benefit from an early start indoors in February, such as begonia, geranium, eggplant, and peppers.
Pamper Yourself With a Home Spa
Treat yourself and your significant other on Valentine's Day to a relaxing spa day at home. No need to recreate a wellness retreat. A spa day at home can be a simple face mask, a bubble bath with aromatic chamomile and rosemary to help calm and hydrate skin, or a body massage while applying body lotion. Light up a candle to help you unwind and get you and your loved one in a self-care mood.
Feast on a Romantic Dinner for Two
Break out the fancy tableware and set up a romantic dinner for two to celebrate Valentine's Day. Whether you are cooking from scratch or ordering takeout dinner, make it special by incorporating your favorite plates and glasses you reserve for special occasions. Don't forget the tall candles and fresh flowers for an extra touch of romance.
Have a Video Game Marathon
If you and your sweetheart are equally into video games and comfortable using a controller, enjoy a host of games that are fun to play together, such as Super Mario Odyssey, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime and Yoshi's Crafted World. Make your Valentine's Day extra special by setting up a snack and drink station you can enjoy throughout the night.
Order Takeout Dinner
Not in the mood to spend Valentine's Day cooking a meal? Keep it stress-free and simple with a takeout dinner. You can still make it special by setting up a table with fresh flowers, candles, and a box of chocolate you can enjoy after dinner.
Make a Special Brunch
On Valentine's Day, start your day right with a lovely brunch. Whip up heart-shaped pancakes, fruit parfaits and mimosas to celebrate such a sweet holiday. The good news is, you two can unplug, stay in your pajamas and curl up on the couch all day if you wish.
Set Up an Indoor Picnic
Bring the outdoors to your house with a delightful indoor picnic for Valentine's Day. Keep the menu simple with pre-made finger foods, cut up fruit, portable sandwiches and special drinks you can mix up in no time. To set the mood, light candles and play soft music in the background for an enjoyable time with your loved one.
Go Backyard Camping
Bring the camping experience to your backyard and romance to your campfire by planning an evening of roasting marshmallows under the stars with your sweetheart. Set out a delightful platter with essentials for making s'mores and hot cocoa, and set up a camping tent, complete with cozy blankets and pillows.
Organize Your Photos & Reminisce
Taking photos with smartphones has become the new reality. If you have been trying to find ways to keep your photos safe, there's nothing like the old-fashioned way. Gather photos of your best moments together to create tangible photo albums or photo frames you two can cherish without worrying about losing those precious memories. Valentine's Day is the perfect time to bond over new and old photos, and work on a project together that means a lot to both of you.
Toast to a Wine & Charcuterie Night
Set out a charcuterie board filled with delicious items you and your sweetheart absolutely love. There's no right or wrong when building a charcuterie board, but if you would like to plan the perfect charcuterie for Valentine's Day, you can decide what to include with your loved one before shopping. Make it special by adding to your list a bottle or two of wine that pairs well with your choices of cheese, meats and fruit.
Tidy Your Space Together
Are there any projects around your house you have been putting off? Decluttering and organizing don't have to be a negative experience. According to Marie Kondo, a tidy house can be the key to a healthier relationship, and a disorganized home can take a toll on a couple's relationship. On Valentine's Day, make a commitment to getting your space organized, and create a system that you and your partner will be able to maintain.
Enjoy Each Other's Company
Whether you decide to stay in or venture out on Valentine's Day, planning an activity that's enjoyable for you and your significant other is key to a successful celebration. Plan ahead and make a to-do list to keep you on track in preparation for the sweetest, most romantic holiday of the year.
