Are you over flowers and chocolates for Valentine’s Day? Or are you single and just tired of the hype of the day in general? You’re not alone. This year, forget the hype, forget the standards, forget the cost, forget the expectations (those brutal expectations!) and do things differently. Here are 3 unique valentines day ideas that will celebrate love, whether you’re a unit or flying solo.
Stay In For The Night
Just because it’s Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money on going out. This year, stay in instead.
Consider cooking a nice meal together, sharing a bottle of wine and making a special dessert. Or order in and take it easy. Perhaps you could create a tradition of ordering Chinese or pizza on valentine’s day and celebrating your love privately. Maybe turn on some nice music, light some candles and have a “no electronics” night. Focus all your energy on each other, reflect on fun things you’ve done together in your relationship or make a plan for new things you want to try or things to work on in your relationship in the coming year.
Other ideas include arts and crafts night to make each other valentine’s cards. Rent a romantic movie, make some popcorn and spend the night in your pjs. Play board games, do a puzzle (what’s sexier than a puzzle!?) or spend the night doing other home-bound things you love. Have a bonfire outside or just snuggle. The options are there if you look for them.
Make Some Memories
Take this opportunity to do something new and special. Rather than just going out for dinner, plan something fun and different. Not that dinner is a bad option, but often you need reservations to get in and they serve a special (read expensive) menu. And is it worth it? Perhaps, but maybe that money could’ve gone elsewhere.
No idea is off-limits, but here are a few simple thoughts:
- Ice Skating
- Sledding
- Take a night hike
- Sign up for a class (think cooking, pottery, painting, dancing, yoga, etc.)
- Go to the theatre or a concert (either movies or live, think symphony, dinner theatre, etc.)
- Go work out or get some exercise together
- Get a couples massage
- Bundle up and walk around downtown hand-in-hand
- Check groupon, living social or other deals sites for random events and activities
- Go to a museum, aquarium or other educational institution
- Skip dinner and go out for special desserts or drinks
- Look for a valentine’s fundraising event for a local nonprofit (if there are any in your area)
- Volunteer together at a nonprofit that interests both of you
Celebrate With Your Pals
Valentine’s Day is about love. That’s it and you most certainly don’t have to be in a relationship to appreciate and celebrate love. Why not celebrate with your favorite pals? Take a group outing or stay in and have a party. Make valentine’s treats and bring them to work. Or if you’re single, take another single pal out for dinner or do something fun together. Get pedicures, go for ice cream – whatever it is, make sure it’s fun and not filled with bashing on coupled-up folks. Think positively about the good in the world, the power of love and perhaps count yourselves lucky for not having any pressure on Valentine’s day this year.
Whatever you do this valentine’s day, celebrate, acknowledge and appreciate the love in your heart.
I’m interested to hear, what do you have planned for this year? Share your plans in the comments.