Valentine’s Day is certainly going to be a little bit different this year. For most of us, luxury dining out trips to the cinema, and weekend getaways are off the cards, with only the comfort of our own home to enjoy on the most romantic day of the year. That doesn’t mean you can’t make it one to remember though, and there are plenty of ways to create an unforgettable evening.
With under a month to go until the big day, it’s time to start planning. Thankfully, we’re here to help with a little bit of inspiration to make sure your Valentine’s runs smoothly…
The Food
Food plays such a big part in Valentine’s Day, with many of us booking in our favourite restaurants. Many will be closed or at limited capacity this year, so alternatives and plan Bs most certainly need to come into play. For those looking to get out, booking early is essential, while that could even be the case for takeaways too.
There are many restaurants offering delivery and takeaway at the moment, providing restaurant-quality food from the comfort of your own home. To make it that little bit more special, you could set up your home as a Michelin-starred restaurant, with nice tablecloths, candles, and more to differentiate the experience from any other day.
Of course, then there’s home cooking. A romantic home-cooked meal is a staple of any Valentine’s Day and that can continue this year. There are thousands of great recipes you can treat your loved one to, from the likes of steak to the most romantic of desserts. There’s no better time to get your apron on and start cooking.
The Music
A candlelit dinner at home should also enjoy a backdrop of some ambient music. No matter what your taste, some calm and soothing music can really up the game in the romance stakes. You’ll find plenty of articles online uncovering the “top 100 love songs”, as well as dozens of playlists on Spotify.
According to Time Out, This Magic Moment is top of the love song charts, while Oprah Magazine has cited The Beatles’ Something as their number one choice, with artists such as Prince, Etta James, The Righteous Brothers and The Beach Boys all charting highly.
However, a recent study which analysed the heart rate of people when listening to particular love songs revealed a surprise contender for the most romantic song of all time. Shania Twain’s You’re Still The One saw the biggest jump in heart rate when listened to, seeing an average increase of 9.5 beats per minute. The Canadian singer beat Phil Collins’ Against All Odds to the winning song, with Bryan Adams and Celine Dion also high scorers. So if you’re looking to get the pulse racing a little over a glass of wine, then Shania could be the one indeed.
Entertainment
Preparing the entertainment for the evening is also going to be integral this year. You can of course replicate the cinema in the best way you can, enjoying films on the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime, while there’s the ability to rent or enjoy DVDs too. You can set up the room inspired by the cinema, creating a dark and cozy environment to really settle down and enjoy your movie.
If you’re looking for something a little more fun, however, then what about an evening of bingo? Bingo has always proved a popular night out and you can enjoy many games from the comfort of your own home too. See here for a range of great bingo games to play, and as a couple, you could play together online, or even join the same bingo room on different devices and go head-to-head. It adds a fun competitive edge to your evening, and you could even make the loser do the dishes!
Ultimately, different couples like different things but there’s always the opportunity to replicate in some capacity online. You could stream your favorite gigs on YouTube if you’d usually be at a concert on Valentine’s Day, you can watch movies, play games, enjoy comedy, and much, much more.
Dress to Impress
It’s fair to say we’ve all become a little more casual over the last 12 months, but for this one special day, you should ditch the joggers and hoodies for something a little smarter. It’s another positive way to separate the day from any other at home, so why not dust off the tux or gown and make an effort for your partner?
You could be as inventive as you like with this, from enjoying a black-tie dinner for two in your dining room, or perhaps even wearing the clothes you wore on your very first date together. Consider a theme, and you could even add a little surprise for your partner and wear something new. After all, online stores are still delivering. It’ll make it feel that little bit more special and combined with great food and an evening of entertainment, you can transform your home into anything you want and make 2024 Valentine’s Day remember.
The Gifts
Of course, no Valentine’s Day is complete without a gift and there are plenty of ways you can be inventive in the build-up to the big day. 2024 was certainly the year of getting crafty, from sewing and knitting to silversmithing, painting, and more. It’s the perfect opportunity to ditch the high street gifts and give a gift that’s been handcrafted with love.
There’s not much time to get your gift sorted though given Valentine’s Day is around the corner, so if you are struggling to make something in time, there are tons of sites offering interesting gifts delivered straight to your door. From hampers to flowers, and jewelry to all manner of weird and wonderful items, it’s the ideal time to go the extra mile in what is a difficult time and show someone exactly how much you love them.
