I have always valued the gifts of quality time or the gifts of experience over chocolates and roses for Valentine’s Day. Here are fifteen ideas that may take your Valentine’s Day experience to a different level of enjoyment. No matter your age, career level or financial status, these ideas will bring a smile to your face and, hopefully, inspire you to bring a smile to someone else’s face as well.
Book a Romantic Gateway
If money is not an issue, you can book a romantic gateway to a place you have both always wanted to visit. It could be a weekend visit to the beach, or a historical place that is interesting to explore. The idea is to put you both in an adventurous or relaxing mood.
Plan Something One of a Kind
Plan a one of a kind experience that you have often talked about, but never got around to doing. Be it sky-diving, water-skiing, parachuting or hot-air ballooning, it should be something that you would both enjoy and remember for years to come.
Have Breakfast in Bed
This old-time favourite may be just what you need if you are an overworked couple with kids. Enjoy sleeping in and having a leisurely, yummy breakfast in bed. Don’t forget to arrange for a babysitter for your kids and you are good to go. Pancakes and coffee, or strawberries and champagne, anyone?
Write Love Notes on Cut Out Red Hearts
Cut out hearts from red and pink paper and write each other love notes. Place them in various parts of the house, so that your partner is surprised when s/he finds them. This can become a Valentine’s notes hunt where you and your partner will try to collect all each other’s notes.
Have Dinner with Friends
Book a table at a favourite restaurant of yours and enjoy dinner with friends. Share stories of how your love developed and best moments on your love journey. Good times taste better when shared with people whose company we enjoy.
Buy Tickets to a Show
Look through local events and choose the most romantic ones to go to. I have fancied the Toronto Candlelight Concerts for the longest time and this year Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto features Romeo and Juliete on Valentine’s Day.
Have an Indoor Picnic
If money is tight, instead of a romantic gateway, you can have an indoor picnic on the living room floor. Pleasantly sparkling fireplace, warm socks and wine and cheese, and the two of you…
Recreate your First Date
A fun way to relive the past is to think of your first date and plan how to recreate it. You may choose a different place, but keep the activities the same, or simply try to recreate it at home with a bit of imagination. It will sure bring good memories back and with them the happiness and excitement you felt when you first met.
Make a Playlist for Each Other
Make a playlist of songs that bring about memories of good times you spent together. The songs should be associated with special events that you shared or feelings that have bloomed in both of you. For example, is there a song that makes you think of your first kiss? Or any other first?
Volunteer Together
Instead of concentrating only on each other, you may choose to celebrate what you both can contribute to the world. Volunteer your time and effort to a cause that is dear to both of your hearts.
Make a Scrapbook or Photo Album of your Relationship
You must have collected many beautiful moments throughout the years you have been together. Make it into an album that you both are going to enjoy looking at for years to come.
Play Hooky
Take a day off from work and get lost in your city. Visit a landmark, go to a museum or simply walk the streets and explore a new neighbourhood.
Write Love Letters to Each Other
It sounds a bit old-fashioned, but if you have never expressed your love in writing, it may be worth trying. Seeing your partner’s expression when s/he reads the love letter could be an experience that you will savour forever. And likewise, you will surely cherish your partner’s loving words black on white.
Make a Bucket List
Create a list of things you would like to do or experience in your lifetime. The list may consist of places to visit, books to read, experiences to share, things to accomplish like learning how to dance salsa. Whatever it is, write it down. Frame it. Then, make a plan to achieve it.
Draw a Picture of Each Other
Organize a painting night where you paint a picture of each other. It will involve a lot of looking at each other. You may notice things you have never seen before…
Have a Sweet Valentine’s Day!
