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The expectations for couples on Valentine’s Day can be tricky during the best of times. Valentine’s Day this year, which is supposed to be the most romantic day of the year, falls on a Sunday, so if you’re not working, you’ll have the entire day to spend together.
But how do you create a special and romantic Valentine’s Day with your significant other when you’ve been stuck in the house with them for nearly a year? Or what if your very special someone doesn’t live with you and you don’t feel comfortable getting together at this time? Here are eight romantic ideas for Valentine’s Day during COVID-19 that include things to do indoors, outdoors with social distancing, and on a budget.
Valentine’s Day: Romantic ideas for dinner at home
Having another dinner at home may not seem like a romantic way to spend Valentine’s Day, but there are a few fun ways to make your dinner special.
1. Make dinner together
My husband and I have made a lot of dinners since the pandemic began, but we usually take turns, and honestly at this point, our dinners are not super exciting. That’s why I’m planning for us to make a special Valentine’s Day dinner together. “Nothing sparks romance than being together in the kitchen cooking a favorite dish. Turn on some music, open a bottle of wine, and make sure to spoon-feed your loved one along the way,” Stephen Chavez, one half of the couple behind Latino Foodie, told Mom.com.
I’m planning to make Lobster Mac n’ Cheese from the New York Times’ list of Valentine’s Day dinner recipesand Latino Foodie’s Alfajores for dessert.
2. Order a special takeout dinner
Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to splurge if you can. Find a restaurant that you’ve always wanted to try or a cuisine you’ve never had before, and order dinner for the two of you. Not only does this help you out, but it could help a struggling small business during this time. Many restaurants will have special Valentine’s Day deals that you can take advantage of if you want to order something special on a budget.
3. Try a virtual wine tasting with dinner
Whether you are a wine connoisseur or don’t know a Zinfandel from a Sangiovese, there is a virtual wine tasting for you. Mi Sueño Winery in Napa, CA, has a virtual wine tasting that can be customized for the couple. The wine tasting is free and comes with the purchase of wine that can be shipped to you. Or Corkbuzz in New York has a live or prerecorded wine tasting for $10 that you can do with your own wine.
Romantic — and safe — date ideas for couples
4. Have a date day walk or hike and bring a picnic
If you have any nice hiking trails or scenic walks, there’s no better time to take a stroll – if weather allows – than on Valentine’s Day with the one you love. If you already take walks together, maybe get in the car and find a new destination. Because Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday this year, make a day of it and bring a picnic, if there is enough space to social distance. A hike or walk is also a great way to bring your kids into your special day together. Have them watch this Weelicious video on how to make heart-shaped snacks and put them to work making food for the picnic.
And remember — if you do venture out, make sure to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for daily activities.
5. Watch a special movie together
It might be tempting to watch one of the 10 million shows on streaming services right now, but what is more romantic than watching your favorite movie together? Or choose a classic romance that you’ve always wanted to see and watch it together. Film School Rejects has an awesome list of the most romantic movies of all time. If your love interest doesn’t live with you, have a Netflix watch party.
Bring back that loving feeling
When life is stressful, it can be difficult to keep the romance alive. Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to concentrate on your relationship for a day.
6. Stare at each other for 4 minutes
OK, if you haven’t heard of this, it might sound crazy. Even if you have heard of this, it might sound crazy. In 2015, Mandy Lee Catron wrote a viral article about an experiment she tried where one asks a stranger a series of personal questions, and then the two people stare at each other in the eyes for four minutes. You’re probably not going out and meeting strangers right now, but this is a great way to renew that spark and do something intimate and a little scary with the person you already love.
7. Get dressed up even if you’re staying home
Whether you’re making dinner after you’ve put the kids to bed or you’re ordering takeout for just the two of you, it will feel like a date if you take a shower and put on clothes that you would wear for a romantic night on the town. The effort of getting ready will make the night feel special and not like every other night at home.
8. Get it on
It can be hard (no pun intended!) to have sex with your Valetine when there are other people in the house with you. So make an effort on this very special Valentine’s Day to find time to get it on with your special someone. If you don’t live in the same household, you might try a little Zoom sex (but not during a work meeting!) or phone sex.
Shea Eppling wrote in Mom.com about how important it is to make time – whenever you can – to have sex with your partner when you have kids at home. “We’ve had sex early in the morning, we’ve had a quickie in the afternoon while the kids were busy, and we’ve even done it before heading to get takeout on date night,” Eppling wrote.
Whatever you do this strange Valentine’s Day, be safe and be kind to yourself and your partner.
