I’ll admit – I’m not usually one who prefers to go all out on Valentine’s Day. While dressing up in your fanciest outfits and grabbing a nice, expensive dinner can be fun, I’m happy with just spending time with my partner in any capacity. Although sometimes, it can be nice to have the option––something which has been very much restricted during this pandemic. Here are some ways you and your significant other can still have a romantic Valentine’s Day at home.
- Have an Indoor Picnic
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This idea is one of my favourites (and something I might plan with my boyfriend), because it’s fun, creative, and can still be super romantic. Plus, it can also be inexpensive! Stop by the grocery store and grab your favourite cheeses, bread, fruit, chocolate, or whatever foods are calling your name. Grab a cozy blanket and find a nice big space to set up your picnic (bonus points if it’s in front of a fireplace). Top things off with a bottle of wine and some candles, put on your favourite playlist, and voilá!
Pro Tip: Order takeout instead to support your favourite local restaurant during these difficult times.
- Go Skating
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Winter activities are always great for Valentine’s Day, and what’s more romantic than skating? And, though outdoors, it should be social distance friendly. If any local ice rinks are open in your area, cozy up and grab your partner for a fun day of skating. You could even bring a puck and some hockey sticks (if you’re into that). If none of your local “official” rinks are open, go for a drive and scout out some community-built rinks, or––with caution––go skating on a shallow lake. If all else fails, you could even build your very own ice rink in your backyard for an extra fun and rewarding activity!
Pro Tip: A quick search on Google or YouTube will provide you with tons of DIY ice rink tutorials.
- Get Busy in the Kitchen
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My boyfriend loves to cook, and yes, he’s also great at it. Unfortunately, that’s where we differ. So, most nights, I usually try to stay out of the kitchen––but, if you get rid of any expectations, cooking with your partner can bring you even closer together! Plan out what you want to make, grab your ingredients, and blast some music. You don’t have to be chefs, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. But it’s guaranteed to be fun!
Pro Tip: Try making fondue, or chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert for a romantic feel.
- Channel Your Creative Energy
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Whether you’re an artist or not, painting or drawing (or any other craft of your choice!) is a great way to relieve stress and have fun, especially with a partner. Stop at the Dollar Store for some cheap canvases, paints and brushes, set up your workspace and get painting! You and your partner can paint together, paint separately and surprise each other when you’re finished, or even paint portraits of each other and then laugh at how bad they are. Follow a Bob Ross painting tutorial for a more challenging, structured activity!
Pro Tip: See if you can find mini easels for your canvases at the Dollar Store to spice up your date.
- Quiz Each Other With Kahoot
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Remember Kahoot? You might have used it for quizzes in high school, or maybe your Don even set up quizzes for your floor to play in the common room in first year (ahem… Miller-Roy fourth floor). Anyway, whether or not you’ve played Kahoot before, it’s super simple. Have you and your partner each make a quiz about yourselves, and then take turns doing each other’s quizzes! It’s the ultimate test to see how well you know your partner, and you may even find out some new things about them that can spark a conversation or a new bond.
Pro Tip: Determine a fun prize for the winner, and make it competitive!
So yeah, being in quarantine definitely sucks, especially as we’re sneaking up on Valentine’s Day. Although, with the right supplies, some creativity and a great partner, you can totally have a great day (and night) in! I hope you try out some of these date ideas with your partner, or that they inspire you to come up with your own fun idea.