As many of us have come to find, celebrating love in wake of a pandemic can be a bit of a challenge. Online dating [1] has — for the most part — remained strictly online, and date nights with your SO have toned down quite a bit from their normal dinner-and-a-movie standard. While state COVID-19 restrictions are ever-changing, there's one recommendation that's remained constant: stay at home. And yes, believe it or not, there's a lot of date ideas that you can do to make this Valentine's Day [2] stand out from the rest. From virtual cooking classes [3] to scavenger hunts to backyard campouts and more, see all of the creative ways you can celebrate Valentine's Day from the comfort of your home, ahead.
Take a Virtual Cooking Class
They say cooking is a way to the heart, so why not take a cooking class together? Airbnb or Sur La Table offers cooking, baking, or sushi-making courses that will be sure to enhance your culinary skills.
Go Scavenger Hunting
If you're feeling ambitious, plan out a scavenger hunt. Leave notes hidden away around your home that you have special memories of. It will be a great trip down memory lane as well as a fun-filled activity.
Dance the Night Away
Put on your dancing shoes and take a virtual salsa, tango, or ballroom dancing class where you and your sweetie can learn some new dance moves or brush up on techniques.
Have a Flirty Photo Session
Set up a timer and do a flirty photo session in your house, backyard, or neighborhood. Spend an hour or so goofing off in your abode and save the best for last with some amazing candid shots outdoors. Can we say new Facebook profile pic?
Learn to Make Chocolate
Forget forking up the money to buy pre-boxed chocolates; why not learn how to make heart-shaped truffles yourself? Expect to bring chocolates to every potluck dinner after this.
Create an At-Home Massage
While booking a professional at-home message is risky right now, there's nothing more romantic than getting all the oils and lotions and giving your partner the experience yourself! Surely it will bring you two closer together, and is a sweet gesture regardless.
Go Camping . . . In Your Backyard
Disconnect. From everything. Create a campsite in your backyard and make it a point to detox from all social media, emails, texts, and tweets. Focus on the conversation at hand for some quality time with your partner. Remember: you can live without Instagram for at least a night!
Grab Your Laptop and Have a DIY Outdoor Movie Screening
Most theatres aren't open to the public this Valentine's Day, but even when they were, they're usually overcrowded. So why not create your own movie screening by heading to a fun spot in your own backyard or balcony? Heated lanterns are encouraged if you're in a cold climate!
Create Your Own Signature Cocktail
A little gin here, a little tonic there — shake the night up by concocting your own signature cocktail together. Not only will taste-testing be a blast, but you and your SO might just become skilled mixologists by the end of the night.
Spend the Night Dreaming About the Future
Sometimes there's nothing more soothing as a couple than to simply dream together. Spend the night igniting your imaginations and sharing your wishes for the future. By the end of the conversation, you're bound to be bursting with excitement and inspiration.
Build a Relationship Time Capsule
Tap into your creative side and craft your own relationship time-capsule. Not only will you share a handful of belly-laughs when reminiscing about old photos from the past, but it will also be fun to revisit these memories in years to come.
Make Homemade Pizzas and Have an In-Home Game Night
If you're looking for a little playful competition, gather a stack of your favorite board games and have an in-home game night. The loser can be in charge of making dinner (but save the dishes for another day!).
Have a Spoil-Each-Other Kind of Day
Whether it's serving your partner breakfast in bed or whipping up their favorite treats, spend the day spoiling one another. Take turns pampering each other for no other reason than you both deserving to feel loved and appreciated.
Channel Your Inner Kid by Playing Video Games
Chances are someone has access to a nostalgic video game like Mario Kart, Zelda, Nintendogs . . . etc. If not, give a new video game a try! If you're open to it, you might just find gaming to be one of your best date nights yet.
Have a Pillow Fight
When was the last time you had a good old fashioned pillow fight? If it was recently, I admire it! There's nothing wrong with some innocent fun, and you'll probably find that it's just as hilarious as an adult as it was for you as a kid.
Listen to Each Other's Favorite Music
Create a playlist of your favorite songs and have your partner do the same. Then, switch phones and listen to your partner's playlist or take turns listening to your playlists together! Even if you think you know their favorite hits, you may be surprised by what they add to their mix.
Start a New TV Show Together
There are so many great TV shows out there to watch, but JIC you've seen every good one to grace Netflix this past year, check out these underrated shows on Netflix [5].
Have Sex
I mean, it's Valentine's Day after all . . .
Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle
While you've probably completed countless jigsaw puzzles throughout stay-at-home orders, have you ever challenged yourself to finish one in a night? If you need some inspiration on which puzzle to get, check out these jigsaw puzzles for adults [6].
Listen to Sexy Audiobooks
You'll bond with your partner like never before listening to all the sexy audiobooks out there, and who knows, maybe you'll both be into it!
Make a Charcuterie Board and Have a Wine Night
Charcuterie boards are all the rage, so treat yourself to a special night in with a platter of cheeses, meats, and fruits paired with a delicious bottle of red — you won't regret it!