What to do for Valentine’s Day
Updated on January 2, 2020
So Valentine’s Day is around the corner again and you can guess that everyone is currently chatting about what to do with and for their loved ones on Valentine’s day, the super day of love and all the cute things that come with it. Although things to do on Valentine’s day can seem like a herculean task, if you plan well and work around my tips, you should be fine.
Now, are you known to say one of the below?
‘…I don’t believe in Valentine’s day…’
‘…Everyday is Valentine’s day….’
‘….Valentine’s day is a day created by the bla bla bla to exploit bla bla bla…’
booooo hoooooo! Yes, I am rolling my eyes at you. Valentine’s day is cute and you don’t even need to do all the extras so make an effort this year, ok?!
The best thing about this list is that it covers What to do for Valentine’s day if you are in a relationship, What to do for Valentine’s day for your kids or What to do for Valentine’s day if you are single.
1. Flowers, Flowers, Flowers (or a potted plant)
Yes to flowers. I love flowers so much especially red roses and I’ve become so much better at keeping them alive for over a week so we are making progress. They are an easy option and can be bought in addition to something else.
If you love flowers, let your partner know and if your partner is not a fan of flowers then you can try a potted plant. They brighten up your home and work area and last much longer than flowers so that could be your angle.
Oh and let’s not forget that flowers and plants are not just for women only, men love them too. Parents, is this your chance to give your little ones their first bouquet of flowers?!
2. Dinner or Lunch out
This one is tricky. Once we have been to lunch and another time, we went to dinner. Both experiences were stressful. Parking was non-existent, traffic was a mess and the food choices were average. For Valentine’s day, there is always a special set menu usually comprising of heart shaped tarts and pink coloured drinks and frankly, the meals are never worth the exorbitant prices. I doubt I’ll ever go out for a fancy Valentine’s day meal ever again but you know what they say? Never say Never. Maybe in the very distant future, we’ll see.
One thing to consider is timing. If Valentine’s day falls on a monday, why not have your dinner on the sunday prior? if it falls on friday, then consider the saturday after. That way, you still have the feel of going out and doing something special for Valentine’s without the fuss that comes with the exact day.
If you are lucky, you can get a seat at the most romantic restaurant in the world; otherwise, some of my fave choices are pictured below.
3. Netflix & Chill
Oooooh this is a fave of mine. The only thing that tops Netflix and Chill for Valentine’s is going to Paris. Because Mr E and I both work full time, this is the most effortless but still intimate option for us. To make it even more special, you could order your favourite Chinese or Indian takeout or some Pizza and have a bottle of champagne, curl up in front of the TV and watch a movie. It’s just the cutest thing ever for couples who just love being at home or cannot be bothered with all the extra-ness. Win, Win! To top it up, there are so many romantic movies uploaded to Netflix around Valentine’s day period so you are spoilt for choice.
Netflix and chilling also works for couples with kids. No need for a baby sitter that night; look for a lovely family movie on Netflix, order your favourite takeaway and enjoy a family night in with your lovely family!
4. Take your partner to Paris
Yes, why not?! You can fly your partner to Paris (or a destination of your choice). I say Paris because we all know it is the city of love. Remember that it does not have to be you doing for the other person; you can come together and decide to book a trip away; choosing an experience over material gifts. This was what Mr E and I did Valentine’s day 2018. We both decided to go away instead of buying each other gifts (although Mr E still snuck a gift in). Going to the Eiffel Tower at night and watching the lights flash on the hour with music playing in the background was the most beautiful experience ever! It was probably my favourite Valentine’s day of all time. Nothing beats Paris if we’re honest!
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5. Home cooked meal
For people who love to cook, this is a cute, inexpensive experience and the lovely thing about this is that you could cook together which means spending even more time enjoying your day. Cooking together could be romantic. I mean, haven’t we all watched a romantic movie where the couple starts cooking then feed each other the half done meal and start kissing and fall in love haha. Ok, need to bring this back to reality!
If you are not in the mood to cook, you can arrange for a personal chef to cook for you and your partner. However, if you really want the intimacy, then there is no point having a 3rd person there! Cooking together is a great option for families. Who says your kids and parents cannot be invited to the celebration?! Daddy cooks, mummy preps the table (or vice versa; the smart thing would be the better cook doing the cooking while the other partner preps).
6. Give a gift
This is usually the safe option. For gift lovers like me, Valentine’s day is one of the best days to exchange gifts. You have an array of gifts to choose from. From perfume or aftershave to luxury candle to jewellery to books for a book lover to a fancy pen for a businessperson to a luxury item that your partner wants. Lingerie for your lady friend is ALWAYS a hit; from the practical every day underwear to the sexy ones, always welcome.
For the men, ties, cufflinks, shirts, wallets, cardholders, keyrings, shoes; depending on the kind of job they do, their lifestyle or what fashion they are into, factor that into your gift. To make it even more personal, why not get them a personalised item? Mr E is always excited with a personalised football shirt from his beloved Arsenal FC so I know that he will always appreciate the effort that went into getting one with his name on it and all the over priced add-ons. It shows that some thought was put into the gift and you have not just walked by a counter and bought the first thing available.
Some ideas below….
7. Cinema/Theatre date
Do people go to the cinema or see theatre productions as date night for Valentine’s? We have never done this on the day itself but for a few years, the 50 Shades movies were released around Valentine’s day; usually around the 12th of February and because I loved the books, I always made Mr E go with me to watch them. So I would say we did not particularly go on the day but still in the Valentine’s period. If you’re being extra, you can actually rent out a cinema or theatre for a special screening for you and your partner but you better be proposing or something because I don’t understand the grand gesture without a peak moment lol.
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8. Spa Date
Who does not like a spa date? Not me.
I love enjoyment and enjoyment loves me.
One of the best gifts you can give to anyone is actually a spa date. Imagine that time away where you leave the stress of your reality behind, enjoy some pampering, manis and pedis, facials, saunas and spa treatments. Bliss. For couples, you can select from the options of couples massages, couples sauna experiences and all that romantic stuff. Where are my girls? Take yourselves away for a relaxation treat while drinking bubbly as your pedi is being done.
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9. House/Dinner Party
This works if you are single and would like to have a lovely Valentine’s celebration because who says Valentine’s is for couples only? You could have a little house party where you invite your other friends to dinner and drinks. Think Galentine’s evening or a ‘singles only’ party. To avoid stressing yourself, it could be potluck where everyone brings something to the table!
Couples who have other couple friends and would love a house party, this works too. Be sure that everyone is in a couple though or there are enough single people to mingle so nobody feels left out. It could turn into an adult’s game night or a movie night or whatever you make of it.
10. Acts of Service
As much as material things are lovely, a simple act of service never goes unnoticed. Valentine’s day is about showing love in its purest form so you could think about doing something that perhaps matters to the other person. Could it be taking their car for a wash and filling up their petrol tank? write them a poem? running a bath with candles after that long day of work? cleaning the house and making them a morning tea? bringing them breakfast in bed? Just something that will make their life a little easier that day and also make them smile a little wider. This is where I challenge you to think. What would your partner like as an act of service? what would your best friend like? what would your mum like? Do it!
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11. Hotel Staycation
Sometimes you don’t have to travel out of the city or country to enjoy a different environment. One of our favourite things to do is to book a hotel stay and enjoy the perks of a holiday. Valentine’s day is usually one of the priciest times to book hotel stays I must admit but it is worth it for the one you love, isn’t it? This might be the time to use your hotel loyalty cards (I hope you have one) and just go away – it does wonders for your relationship! For tips before you book your hotel, see What to know before you book your Hotel
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12. Bonus – Have sex. There is no reason not to! All the above suggestions can and should lead to that!
What plans do you have this year?
Bisous, ‘Bugo x
Yes to Paris! Lol. I think I’ll do a homecooked meal for my husband. Can’t remember the last time i cooked, so this will be special. Thanks for the ideas! xx
hey Viv!!! I’m having quite a lazy one. I might just order take out and watch TV. If we are feeling a little fancy, a little champagne toast too. However I booked a dinner date for the following evening so that should be special.
You’re welcome my lovely xx
Super cute tips, thanks for sharing. And I agree – Paris is always a good idea 😉.
Number 12 should have been number 1 dear.. 🌚
Also, why is this list single-phobic? 🤣 #GodAreYouStillThere? #GodPlsPickUp!
LMAOOOOO please dear – so many ideas for singles. No 12 especially. No 8 – take yourself on a spa date or with ya girls, No 9 is even my fave – house party!!! No 10 can work too!! Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?!
PS – these your hashtags hahahahahahahahahaha
yassss! Paris at Valentine’s is even more magical. Thank you Davida for reading x
Such a beautiful piece and beautiful blog Bugo❤❤❤ Valentine’s day is a special day and yesterday started with a beautiful messages in the morning and through the day from the hubby, bunch of roses for me and single roses for his girls😁 Nexflix and chill with our fav Chinese and wine🍷in the evening (I couldn’t help but exercise afterward because as usual I stuffed my face!!
My present to the King was in kind🙈!!!
awwww Doris this makes me smile! I love that he got single roses for your girls, what a sweet sweet man!!
We had chinese last night as well. I was almost panicking because our usual chinese takeout was closed but I found another one that could deliver last minute thankfully lol
Listen girl! all presents are equal – kind, material, cash, experience.. ALL equal LMAOOOOOO!Looks like you had a really lush day, I’m glad x
These are all cute but when your kid is born on Valentine’s Day like mine is, it takes a different meaning. Lol. For the last five years I’ve been in birthday planning mode for Valentine’s Day and this year is no different. Maybe next year we’ll try again. Lol
hahahaha I did not think of that angle at all! Aww happy birthday to your baby; don’t worry once they grow up, you go back to celebrating Valentine’s with lover and/or friends. You just have to be patient for a few more years (12 at least LOL) x
Loved this, especially the bit about entertaining, I’ve never tried (or thought) of that. It’ll be fun to throw a dinner party for my couple friends with lots of games and wine 🙂
Hubby and I have never spent it at home, we always go away for a few days before or after (even if it’s just a local destination). It’s usually our first official Bae-cation for the year.
We both tell each other not to bother with gifts, and then both end up exchanging gifts anyway LOL – Perfumes, books, Spa gift cards etc. I loooove flowers, so he almost always sends me flowers to the office or home or if we’ve already gone away, he’ll have the hotel deliver it to our room haha. This year we’ll be away at a Spa Resort for the weekend – Nothing fancy, just some much needed us-time with loads of food, massages, and quiet walks!
Hi Jumie! thank you so much for taking out the time to read and comment.
I’ve actually never had a dinner party as well for Valentine’s; usually do for birthdays or just random football evenings so I know it would be so much fun if it’s the same fun group for Val’s.
Ooooooh yes to a baecation! That’s usually our first trip of the year most years as well but not this one. Going away is definitely top top of my list. I would go away to celebrate every week if I could tbh
I really hope you have the best Valentine’s yet this year. You do sound like a romantic just like me so here’ s to wishing you a love-filled day xx
Girl this is fire…. loved this piece. you touched on everything everyone is thinking of doing or confused to do. amazing writing. can’t wait for the next write up…. Mr O is an every day is valentines day guy…. so i ask for something at least one a day, could be something major or minor. This valentines day though i might just cook a nice meal and netflix and chill it cus now there are two lil people to think of😁
Ayyyyyye thank you!!
LMAO I’ve realised that so many guys are ‘everyday is Valentines day’ kinda humans. I wonder why?! Yes to cooking a nice meal + Netflix and chill; that way you don’t have to pay a babysitter to watch over your kids but you still have a nice, intimate night in 🙂 x
Oh my gosh I totally love this piece…one of my favourite days in the year; you know I’m totally in love with love as per madam romantic ❤️ 😊Interestingly Mr M is one of those ‘I don’t need a special day to show you how much I love you’ kind of guys and so I did the best thing I could think of – get married on one of the most expensive days in the year for a lifetime of happiness hehehehe (cost effective way of getting my own way 😜) so now we celebrate our ‘wedding anniversary’ and I get to have awesome valentine day celebrations for the rest of my life woohoo! I love the ideas you’ve blogged about…traditionally, Mr M usually has my flowers delievred to work or home depending on what day Vals day falls on…then we exchange gifts and cards and go to the same restaurant each year followed by an awesome bonding sesh 😂😂😂
I think I shall try the private chef idea sometime for something different…they can always leave after dinner and we’ll serve desert ourselves 😉
thank you so much Chi. I’m so glad you loved the post 🙂 I love the idea of going to the same restaurant every year; so romantic and special.
Getting married on valentine’s day is the ultimate love thing to do, love it and you’re right, that way you get your valentine’s day every year because it’s your anniversary so win for him, win for you. Such a smart move haha
and yes to us, forever romantics lol xx
I need to get it together! Love the tips
Thank you! You have 4 days to get it together. Goooooooodluck!
Awesome tips to help spice up your valentine experience. I will definitely pick one. I love the fact that you covered all areas, singles, married and with children. Great!
loool can’t leave anyone out. Love is for everyone 🙂
I’m glad you like the tips x
Lovely! Lovely!! Lovely!!!
Thanks for sharing xxx
You’re welcome x
So many good ideas, I might just send it to the boy for some gentle nudging!
you totally should. Do the ground work for him lol
Make sure you get him something too x
Lovely ideas Bugo. This is your season as a 💕 girl. The plan for me was Netflix and chill, then again it’s first Val as Mrs 😁, so my plan is a card saying HV husband(obviously 🤣), dinner or theatre or lux 🎁 or all of the above (keeping the expectation high so each year he would follow the trend 🙈)
yassssssss! i love this hahahaha
Need to set the bar high from the beginning LMAO then after a few years, you can start slacking but the bar would have already been established. oooh i goodluck to finding the right balance x
I love love love this! My fav is defo some red roses with a Netflix and chill night in and out fav Chinese 🙂 cosy,affordable and intimate lol
We’ve been out for dinner for valentines before and it’s so overpriced and overrated- but I like that you’ve given you so many different options how to spend the occasion.
House gathering/games night is a really good idea- be cute to have that with other couples!
And Paris is defo on the cards one year!! I’ve actually never been!!!! I’m dying to go just trying to fit it in with our year plan x
oh you’ll love Paris so much!
I think Mr E and I are definitely Netflix and chilling this year as well with chinese takeout so ditto!!
Those Valentine’s dinner dates are so annoying ugh!! you end up paying so much money and it’s just not worth it in the end x
More gift ideas for guys please!!
Hey Ogo! ok, we need to look at your budget first.
My fave thing to gift Mr E is shoes because he does love another new pair of designer white trainers lol but he also loves a personalised sports shirt (should set you back about £60-£80 depending on add-ons); after shave as well; i know Armani came out with a Valentine’s day collection for Him. If he has a 9-5 or goes to formal events, a smart shirt (could be from the british tailors on saville row to high street picks), a tie, cufflinks, socks etc. Does he love video games? that’s an angle to explore.
If you’re rich rich, take him shopping lol!
This list is a comprehensive one! It’s most likely going to be Netflix and chill/gifts On Friday and dinner over the weekend 😍
oh I’m doing the exact thing! there’s work on friday so we’ll probably order take out with Bobo, netflix & chill. Then we have a dinner reservation for saturday night! I have actually booked it hahaha hashtag eager beaver!
It’s weird that I don’t know what my ideal valentines would be. I guess I’d just like to know that a lot of thought went into it. Other than that I really don’t have a preference.
Lovely ideas.
I totally get you.
Every year, I swear it’s my best year yet lol. I guess the most important thing for me is spending time with my loved one(s) regardless of the activity or gift x
You don’t have to break the bank because of valentine. I like how you went from cost effective to luxury so there’s something for everyone
Yes! I mean I love my lux gifts but there are so many other thoughtful ideas that are even more intimate than a material item.
Thank you for your comment sweetie x
Also wanted to add, the valentines party is a great idea. I think because it’s a celebration of all kinds of love, it would be lovely way to celebrate the day with all my loved ones.
I sometimes forget that it’s not just a romantic love kind of day; then have to hit myself on the head for being so narrow minded ugh!
You’re 100% right. It’s a day of love – all types of love.
Lovely ideas! Very simple and to the point. My favorite is always a bunch of red roses, and some intimate quality time. The red roses always make the day feel extra special. Will send the link to Doc. Thanks for sharing!! Xxx
I knowwww! I love flowers so much too. haha Doc is about to get confused if he already has plans that differ from this list. Gooooooodluck x
Mr E coming through with the best gift ideas. He has to drop a post on how he does it.
hahahaha He is always ready. I’ve warned him not to get anything this year since we are supposed to have a chill, inexpensive one!
Tbh he knows exactly what I want because we would have talked about it 🙂 x
Love this
Xx
yay thanks babe x