29 Surprising Valentine’s Day Date Concepts to Make Your S.O. Smile

When the second week of February rolls round annually, Adam and I inevitably have a look at one another somewhat bewildered and ask “So… what ought to we do for Valentine’s Day?” Many of the conventional concepts can really feel somewhat tacky (to not point out overpriced), so I’m at all times on the hunt for sudden Valentine’s Day date concepts that can nonetheless really feel romantic and particular.

I keep in mind the primary yr we celebrated Valentine’s Day as a pair, we cooked a extremely fancy dinner at Adam’s place full with steak and chocolate soufflés, and it was so memorable that we’ve tried to do one thing exterior the field yearly since. Whether or not you’re coupled up or single, maintain scrolling for 29 distinctive concepts that can guarantee your Valentine’s Day is definitely enjoyable, with no clichés in sight.

Featured picture of Rebekah Peppler’s Parisian ceremonial dinner by Joann Pai.

29 Distinctive Valentine’s Day Date Concepts to Strive This 12 months

1. Discover and go to a drive-in live performance. Bonus factors for dressing up and bringing your individual garden chairs and snacks.

2. Create a personal movie show in your own home with a projector and display a romantic film. Simply add popcorn, Raisinets, and two pairs of cozy socks.

3. Go curler skating. Or ice skating. The aim right here is to channel your favourite hand-holding scene in nearly each basic rom-com.

4. Host a karaoke night time in your lounge. This personally appears like my imaginative and prescient of hell, however I do know it’s proper up a few of your alleys. Plus, in case you have been born with the voice of an angel, this could possibly be an important technique for making them fall in love with you on the spot. If you wish to be tremendous skilled with it, try this Wi-fi Bluetooth Karaoke Mic.

5. Take an early morning hike to observe the dawn. I do know, I do know—sounds sort of painful. However there’s nothing extra magical than watching the solar come up. Plus, getting up that early to interrupt a sweat is a complete bonding expertise.

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6. Take a digital cooking class. Bonding over pots of marinara and pans of tiramisu? Signal me up!

7. Put collectively care packages for the homeless. Stuff paper baggage or shoe containers with meals, water, socks, hand wipes, and so forth. and maintain them in your vehicles for the subsequent time you drive previous somebody in want. It’s fairly cool to see your S.O. serving others and sacrificing their free time for a worthy trigger. You’ll doubtless fall in love with one another another time.

8. Host an at-home artwork night time. Whether or not this implies sketching in an grownup coloring e book, making a collage of your favourite pictures collectively, or streaming an artist’s documentary, get your inventive juices flowing.

9. Schedule a tasting at a vineyard or brewery. Whereas we did this nearly throughout the pandemic, there’s nothing higher than taking an tour to your favourite spots. Or, in order for you a extra low-key expertise at residence, purchase three bottles of wine: one that’s $25, one that’s $15, and one that’s $10. Cowl the bottles in foil and blend them round, then attempt to guess which is which! It’s fairly shocking typically.

10. Choose up your favourite take-out and drive to a scenic location for stargazing. When was the final time you and your S.O. actually seemed on the stars collectively? There’s one thing about gazing on the nighttime sky that’s such a reminder of the vastness of the universe—and the way fortunate you might be to have discovered one another in it.

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11. Take a “staycation” at a favourite native resort. I believe each couple ought to splurge from time to time and spend the night time away, even when a full-blown trip isn’t within the playing cards. Order room service, watch a film, leap within the scorching tub, and sleep in.

12. Take a digital dance class. Try YouTube instructors that supply salsa or swing instruction. Good your dance strikes for the subsequent time you go to a marriage or a rustic bar.

13. Recreate your first date. For Adam and me, this is able to contain a dive-y Chinese language restaurant, Peking Duck, and one too many glasses of chardonnay. Should you’ve been collectively a very long time, you’ll undoubtedly have enjoyable laughing about these early days, and it might even be a worthwhile reminder of why you fell so deeply in love within the first place. Be inventive about the best way to recreate your dates at residence! Choose up takeout from the restaurant, dim the lights, use tablecloths, or any distinctive points {that a} particular restaurant has.

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14. Pack a picnic and bike experience to someplace particular collectively. There’s something so particular about driving bikes collectively to a particular spot to take pleasure in a picnic collectively. Pack your favourite cheeses with dips and snacks in a picnic basket—don’t neglect the bottle of wine!

15. Discover an area bookstore. You don’t must be a bookworm for this to be a best-ever date (though, bonus factors in case you are). Head out and browse the stacks! Choose a learn for your self or decide one on your companion. Once you get residence, curl up on the sofa and skim side-by-side. Nothing like somewhat literature to set the temper.

16. Make breakfast in mattress. Nothing beats feeding one another bites of pancakes when you’re snuggled beneath the covers. Whether or not you need one thing wholesome and vibrant or are craving your favourite consolation meals (once more, pancakes), so long as you’re getting within the kitchen collectively and sharing a meal, you actually can’t go mistaken with this date.

17. Journey by prepare. This concept may be somewhat extra concerned, nevertheless it’s nothing somewhat planning can’t make occur. Practice journey permits you to absorb your surrounding sights in probably the most stress-free method potential. You don’t even must set out with a selected vacation spot in thoughts—it’s all concerning the journey.

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18. Theme your date night time. Date nights are nice and all, however whenever you middle it round a selected theme, you’ll be able to immerse your self in an entire new expertise. And naturally, nothing says romance like somewhat jaunt to France. Need all of the Parisian vibes with out having to get on a aircraft? Make a playlist of all of your favourite French music, plan out a French-ified menu, and rework your eating room into the chicest French restaurant, irrespective of the place you might be.

19. Make a imaginative and prescient board. Sharing your desires and setting the inspiration for future plans to come back is the last word option to join. You may every create your individual imaginative and prescient board or collaborate on one collectively. It’s a enjoyable and galvanizing course of, and might information conversations for what you every need for yourselves and your shared objectives as a pair. For steps on the best way to get began, try our information to imaginative and prescient boarding.

20. Camp it up. Whereas a get-lost-in-the-woods date might be simply the journey many people are in search of, there are others who’d moderately camp out in the lounge. Whether or not you have been a scout in a previous life or have by no means spent an evening within the nice outside, there are many methods to tailor this date for a magical night (good day, glamping). Simply don’t neglect the marshmallows.

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21. Ask questions designed to construct intimacy. This record of 32 questions was written particularly to assist deepen your relationship. As a result of because the writer, Nihel, writes: “With the appropriate mindset, intention, and questions, setting apart these particular moments can deepen your love and produce a contemporary and renewed perspective to your relationship.”

22. Learn your favourite “Fashionable Love” tales. Who else skims the Sunday paper’s ‘Fashion’ part for these vignettes of real-life romance and heartbreak? Should you’re already a fan, assist your companion get on board. Choose an essay from their archives and take turns studying them aloud to one another. You’ll get a glimpse right into a life in contrast to your individual, as every story is a window into distinctive views on, and experiences with, love.

23. Get aggressive. Sport night time anybody? Care to problem your S.O. to a spherical of tennis? No matter your competitors of selection, decide it and kit up! There’s nothing like somewhat wholesome competitors to set the sparks flying.

24. Bake a brand new recipe collectively. PSA: Valentine’s Day dessert doesn’t must contain chocolate. In reality, a few of the finest draw upon distinctive flavors and intelligent spins on classics. The Kitchn has you coated with its record of 40+ scrumptious desserts.

25. Recreate one another’s favourite cocktails/mocktails. Even in case you don’t take into account your self a mixologist, you’ll be able to have somewhat enjoyable getting inventive at your house bar. Ask (or guess!) one another’s favourite drinks and make them at residence. It’s a form gesture that can make them—and also you—really feel seen in your tastes and preferences.

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26. Play Esther Perel’s dialog recreation, “The place Ought to We Start?” We counted down the times till the famed psychotherapist launched her dialog deck. With prompts like “Share one thing that’s modified your worldview” and questions that ask you to share what’s been retaining you up at night time, belief that there’s no holding again. Choose up your copy right here.

27. Write a letter to your S.O. for them to open subsequent yr. Who wouldn’t love receiving a letter that took you again to the place your relationship was the yr prior? Mirror in your emotions, ideas, and what you’re keen on most about them on this second. It’s a touching gesture and one that you simply’re each more likely to maintain saved in your dressers eternally.

28. Discover out one another’s enneagram. Should you haven’t heard, intentional character exams are again. (Key phrase being “intentional”—there’s nothing hokey about them.) Discovering one another’s enneagrams is an eye-opening option to dive deeper into what makes your companion tick. Be taught extra concerning the enneagram—and what it says about your character—right here.

29. … or uncover your love languages. Should you haven’t completed a deep dive but, understanding the love languages (and understanding which finest describes you and your companion) sheds perception into you every give and obtain love. We share the whole lot it’s essential find out about love languages right here.

This publish was initially revealed on February 9, 2020, and has since been up to date.