With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, you may be beginning to plan how you want to celebrate. You can of course stick to the classics, like sending a flower bouquet, or you might be thinking of something less traditional like a chocolate bouquet. If you’re growing tired of doing the same thing every year, why not shake it up this Valentine’s Day and try something new? Whether you’re single or in a relationship, a cynic or a romantic, here’s how you can make the most of the day.
1. Make personalised gifts
Valentine’s Day crafts are a date activity and gift combined. Get together with your partner or pals and have an arts and crafts night to make something for each other. You could crochet, string a candy heart garland, dabble in origami, fashion a flower wreath, or make some DIY Valentine’s cards. This is a sustainable and low-cost evening that is sure to give you a few laughs.
2. Bake Valentine’s Day cookies
Valentine’s Day is the ideal opportunity to make some sweet treats. If you aren’t an experienced baker, you can get some useful assistance from a Valentine’s Day baking kit. If you want to make something from scratch, these cut-out heart cookies are the perfect excuse for a romantic baking date, or to serve up for a girl’s night.
3. Have your own bake-off
If you have a competitive streak, kick your baking up a notch and put your skills to the test. Challenge your guests to bring over their most impressive love-themed dish and have a tasting party.
4. Organise a wine and cheese night
If you want your gatherings to have a touch of sophistication, this is the Valentine's Day plan for you. A cheese and wine pairing night is a fabulous night in idea for a friend group of singles or a group date. If you really want to show off your charcuterie skills, try your hand at recreating the salami rose below. Use a glass lip to shape the meat, and start overlapping them. Carefully flip the glass over and voila, you’ve got a charcuterie rose.
5. Have an album party
Again, this could be a great idea for a musical-themed date or would work equally well for a big group of pals. Bring your favourite romantic song, album, or playlist, and have a listening party.
6. Plan a trip
Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, it may be a bit too late to jet away. However, it’s never too late to begin planning your next big holiday. Grab a drink, pull up an excel sheet, and start planning your dream getaway.
7. Sign up for a class
Sick of date night at home? Or want a fun group activity for you and your friends? This Valentine’s Day, book a class that will teach you something new- this could be cooking, cocktail making, anything you want to try your hand at.
8. Attend a fitness class
This Valentine’s Day, get some added endorphins and sign up for a workout class you have never tried before. You could do this with the gals and grab a healthy lunch or smoothie afterwards or use it as an excuse for an active date.
9. Write some love letters
Love letters shouldn’t just be reserved for your romantic partner. This Valentine’s Day, write a note to your friend to let her know how much you appreciate having her in your life.
10. Recreate your favourite date
If you have been with your partner for a while and are looking for a more sentimental date, this is the perfect opportunity to remind each other of why you fell in love in the first place. Make the meal you first made together, revisit the pub where you met, recreate the history of you.
11. Throw a rom-com movie marathon
If you’re a movie buff, choose a couple of your favourite romantic movies and have a marathon. Grab the popcorn, turn off the lights, and get comfy with your loved ones. We recommend choosing a few different eras- a classic like The Apartment, paired with a 90s favourite like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and finish off the night with a modern hit like Set It Up.
Enjoy an indoor picnic
It might still be too cold to have an outdoor picnic, but that’s no reason you can’t still opt for this romantic classic this Valentine’s Day. All you need to do is lay down a blanket in your living room and pack some picnic staples into a basket for the full effect; you can never go wrong with chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne.
Paint together
Remember during lockdown when we were forced to come up with indoor activities? All across the UK people were doing their own at-home painting classes. Think of how much more fun this would be now that we don’t have a global pandemic looming. You could try painting each other, or if you’re competitive, choose the same picture and see who can recreate it better.
Visit a conservatory or botanical garden
If you’re the outdoorsy type and are craving some greenery but don’t want to venture out in the cold, try visiting a botanical garden to fulfil your floral fantasy without getting frostbite.
Sarah O’Byrne has been an editorial assistant at heat, Closer and Yours since May 2023. She has a BA in English with Film and an MA in Literature and Culture - both from University College Dublin.