Make Staying Home for Valentine’s Day Special
If you and your spouse don’t feel up to celebrating Valentine’s Day by going out for a fancy dinner or a movie, don’t stress. This holiday is about celebrating the love you share, and you can easily and memorably honor one another in the comfort of your home. Whether the two of you don a more elegant style, or you believe comfy and cozy is the name of the game, see below for six ideas to celebrate your valentine. Bonus—we even have a few family-friendly ideas for this festive holiday.
1. Swanky Soiree
You don’t need to make reservations at the finest restaurant in town to enjoy an elegant dinner. Create your own soiree at the dining room table. First, choose the menu: takeout from your favorite local spot or a special recipe you recreate in the kitchen together. Second, set the scene. Use your nicest dishes, choose a flower arrangement or candles to serve as a centerpiece, create a playlist of your favorite tunes to play in the background or use our playlist, and dim the lights. Finally, dress in your best attire, and meet your love at the table set for two to enjoy a romantic dinner.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Conversation Starters
- What is something you think is memorable from our first date together?
- Of my physical attributes, what is your favorite?
- Of my personality qualities, what is your favorite?
- What is one thing you love about yourself?
- What are three places you love visiting?
- Tell me about a time when you felt most loved.
- What is your favorite love song?
- What is something you love about our relationship or our family?
- What is one of your most romantic or funniest Valentine’s Day memories?
- Describe the most outlandish date you would want us to do.
2. Dessert and Dancing
You know the saying, “Dance like nobody’s watching.” Now, you can dance like no one is watching in the comfort of your home. Before you get your groove on, take time to make your favorite dessert together. Keep it simple like break and bake cookies, or try your hand at a homemade recipe. After you enjoy the tasty treats, grab your valentine by the hand, and share a dance (or two). Slow dance to your wedding song, or break it down to your favorite upbeat jams. Either way, take in this moment between the two of you when nobody else is watching.
3. Breakfast in Bed
How often do you have the luxury of staying in bed and snuggling? Our guess is not often enough. Carve out the time for a lazy morning with each other on this festive holiday. Surprise your valentine with French toast and coffee or an omelet and orange juice in bed. The best part of this date idea is that you don’t have to change out of your pajamas or leave the bedroom. We can’t dream up a more perfect morning. If you’re off to work the morning of Feb. 14, don’t fret. The day before or after works just as well.
4. Festive Fun Day
Use Valentine’s Day as your excuse to forego your responsibilities and have fun. Pick your favorite activity you like to do together, and do it! Challenge one another in a board game. Put together a puzzle you’ve been eyeing but has been collecting dust. Sit in peace and quiet, and read your favorite books. Snuggle up, and take a long nap. Create a craft. The options are endless. A low-pressure day filled with your favorite way to spend time with each other may be the best Valentine’s Day present you can give your love.
5. Movie Marathon
Skip the crowded movie theater, and create your own comfortable, at-home viewing party to watch your favorite films. Include the entire family for this date. Give your kids a mission: gather as many pillows and blankets as possible to build the perfect movie watching hideaway. Then, ditch the plain popcorn, and set up a popcorn bar for everyone to create their own concoction—featuring marshmallows, gummy bears, chocolate chips, and more.
6. Traditional Interactive Dinner
Toss traditional for the night, and instead, plan an adventurous dinner the whole family can participate in. Here are some build-your-own ideas: nacho bar, pizza station, or baked potato bar. Set up all the toppings. Take this idea to the next level by incorporating Valentine’s Day in the ingredients such as turning the sour cream pink with food coloring or having heart-shaped pepperonis for pizzas. Then, let everyone construct their own delicious dinner. The best part—family members of all ages can participate in this meal. Bon appétit!
Wait, what?! You don’t celebrate this fabricated holiday? With the hectic lives we lead, it’s easy to let celebrating our love for our spouse take a back seat. Valentine’s Day is a great way to launch into a year of intentionality when it comes to loving each other well.
