Celebrate Your Love: Valentine's Day Inspiration

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it, and we think it’s gotten a bad reputation. Valentine’s Day is meant to be a conscious reminder to celebrate the person you love and to be able to make the big, romantic gestures that can seem cheesy on other days. Yes, every day should be a celebration of your commitment to each other, but Valentine’s Day gives you an excuse to go the extra mile for them. Here are some suggestions on how to lean into the nature of the holiday without feeling too cheesy.

Plan A Picnic

February isn’t known for having the best weather, but that doesn’t mean you have to forgo a romantic picnic set up with all your favorite treats. Whether you set up a blanket in a park or lay out a spread for two on the living room floor, a picnic is the perfect way to take a cliched date idea and turn it into something that is the right amount of cheesy and romantic.

Dinner and a Movie

Valentine’s Day is on a Wednesday this year. Although celebrating in the middle of the week can be a drag for those who need to get up and go to work the next day, there is no reason not to celebrate it. Take advantage of the fact that Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of the week. It’s a great time to visit your favorite restaurant or maybe one that has close significance to the two of you. Following up a dinner with a movie gives the opportunity to spend time together, even though it can be hard during the week to set up a specific time to enjoy each other’s company.

Surprise Them At Work

Depending on your partner's job, sneaking in around lunchtime to hand-deliver a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, or their favorite lunch is always a cute idea. It is a simple way to take time out of your day to show them appreciation and that you were thinking of them. The extra little attention and gifts will make them the envy of their coworkers while brightening their day with a reminder of how much you love and care for them.

Karaoke

Karaoke isn’t about being the best or even good; it’s about having fun and getting excited about your favorite songs. Even if you don’t get up there and sing, there’s something fun about watching people give up their inhibitions to perform in front of strangers. Karaoke has an infectious mood that goes with it, and it will get you and your date laughing and bonding over time together.

Visit A Museum

Art isn’t for everyone, and it’s okay if it isn’t something you would normally seek out on your own. The truth is, going to a museum helps you understand each other better as you discuss what you’re seeing. There isn’t a better way of getting to know your partner and seeing how they view the world than talking to them about what they see. Art is different through the eyes of every person who views it. Their opinions, experiences, and emotions all lead to them viewing art in a completely different way than anyone else. Discovering their feelings on a piece of art is a unique, honest way to get a glimpse into who they are as people.

Go To The Zoo

Zoos are another cliche date idea with a reputation that deserves better. There is endless discovery and fun to be had, especially if it’s been a while since you last visited. Zoos make up an important part of education and conservation efforts for animals from across the globe. They’re also a fantastic way to find out your partner’s favorite animal, what kind of fish they would rather be, and what animals they think would win in a fight.

Schedule a Massage

Your and your partner's day-to-day life can get stressful and make trying to connect harder than it needs to be. Scheduling a couple’s massage at a spa or in your home can make all the difference in the world. There is nothing quite like being pampered and feeling all the stress and tension get rubbed out of your body. It’s a great way to show appreciation and bond with the person you care about most. Being pampered feels amazing, and you deserve to feel at peace.

Wrapping Up

There are lots of activities you can do with your partner, even if it feels like you’ve run out of ideas. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a big production with scattered rose petals and bottles of champagne, but if you choose to celebrate like that, that's okay too! You and your partner deserve at least one day where you get to say unabashedly that you love each other and want to celebrate it however you want. Valentine’s Day should be a day of excitement and love for one another.