It’s that time of year when couples compete with one another for tickets and reservations for the perfect Valentine’s date night. But what about those lovers who can’t afford to spend the time and money needed to plan a romantic evening on the town? Or the ones who just prefer to keep things a little more low-key?
If the stress of putting together a spectacular Valentine’s Day outing is already giving you headaches, I have two pieces of good news for you. The first is that you don’t need to buy into all the Valentine’s hype. The second is that you can have a memorable and romantic Valentine’s Day within the comfort of your own home—and we’re going to tell you how.
Here are 6 Valentine’s Day date ideas for those couples who want to stay in for the night.
1. Cook Something Together
Whether it’s an old recipe that’s been passed down in your family for generations or one you got from an Instagram video that made your mouth water, cooking with your partner gives you an opportunity to create something together. The completed product can be something you can both be proud of, then enjoy together! If the results turn out to be less than appetizing, pizza is always a good backup plan. Either way, you and your significant other will have the memories of collaborating in the kitchen. If you need a few ideas to get your cooking endeavors started, you can check out some delicious, relatively easy recipes here.
2. Play a Game Together
Forget Netflix and chill, video games are the next big trend in romance! We’re serious—playing a rousing game can be a great way for you and your partner to bond. Instead of sitting together quietly watching a movie, you’re actively working together to reach a goal. For the fierce couples out there, competitive games can be a great way to enjoy time together as well. Perhaps you can use Valentine’s Day to finally settle who really is the best at Mario Kart.
If you’re not into video games, you can try playing sleepover games with each other—I’m talking “Would You Rather” and “Truth or Dare.” As long as you’re willing to buy into the silliness of these games, you can end up creating some pretty absurd hypothetical situations, or you may even get the chance to learn something new about your partner.
3. Give Each Other Presentations
Some of you may already be raising your eyebrows, but stay with us on this one. What if you had the opportunity to talk to your partner about something you’re passionate about for several minutes, uninterrupted and accompanied with slides and visual aids? Not only is it a great opportunity to share something that you’re passionate about with someone you love (or at least have romantic feelings towards), but it’s also an opportunity to learn something new about them. Making a presentation ridiculous enough to make the other laugh first is sure to leave you giggling all night.
Alternatively, baby picture slideshows are always a hit.
4. Quiz Each Other
We know, first presentations and now quizzes. But you can learn some pretty surprising things about your partner from just a quiz question. Some of you may have heard of the Newlywed Game, where couples try to guess how their partner would answer a question, but there are millions of other quizzes out there. Personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs test, can tell you a lot about how a person relaxes or approaches problems. If you want something more lighthearted, there’s always Buzzfeed quizzes—in case you need to know which member of Friends your significant other is.
Make sure you take all of these quizzes together instead of just sharing the outcomes. Sometimes the answer to a single question can reveal more than the final result!
5. Craft Together
Crafting with your partner is like the Valentine’s Day gift that keeps on giving. Not only is crafting a fun activity, but a craft can serve as a momento that is sure to remind you of the fun night. Whatever craft you make will combine you and your partner’s artistic styles into one cohesive piece. Whether you decide to make the crafts Valentine’s Day themed or not, you are sure to have a romantic evening with nothing but some art supplies and each other’s company. Here’s some ideas to get your crafting started!
6. Spa Day!
What’s better than an opportunity to pamper your partner (or have them pamper you)? Make some DIY face masks, diffuse some oil, take a bath together and relax to the max! You can even give each other makeovers—it’s not like you’re going out tonight. Or, if you don’t want to go all out, massages are a simple way to make anyone happy.
And there you have it—six ideas that will let you enjoy Valentine’s Day without having to go out anywhere. Combine any of these activities for your perfect night in. Pro tip: all of them can be done in your pajamas.