With Valentine’s Day here and midterms (hopefully) slowing down, I have been thinking of fun ways to celebrate. Whether it’s your long-term boyfriend, roommate or best friend, these date night ideas will definitely make your Valentine’s Day a happy one.
Boyfriend:
1. Ice Skating and Hot Chocolate at Millennium Park
While this may sound cliché, ice-skating with your man is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and have a great time together. If your ice skating skills are not that of an Olympian, you should not be hesitant to do this! The ice rink at Millennium Park is definitely worth making the trip downtown and introducing something new and exciting to your relationship is always a plus. You and your boyfriend will bond over the soft music, handholding and mutual efforts to keep each other from falling down. Park Grill is conveniently located right next to the ice rink, so take a break after skating to warm up with your two favorite things (on this day at least): hot chocolate and your boyfriend.
2. Dinner and a Movie
Take a new approach to this classic date by inviting your guy over for dinner and a movie at your place! My boyfriend and I love Thai Food, so hopefully by now you and your hottie both share a favorite food that you can order in. The great thing about ordering in is that you won’t have to go through the trouble of making reservations in a crowded restaurant and you can choose how romantic or casual you want the date to be. Adding a few candles and soft music will make your dinner at home comparable to the restaurants, but without the hassle of other people. Afterwards, pick out a movie together on Netflix or from Redbox and snuggle up for a few hours. For added romance add wine to your date and enjoy spending quality time with your man.
Roommate or Best Friend:
1. Pig Out
While some may be sad about not having a boyfriend to celebrate this Valentine’s Day with, celebrating with your best friend or roommate can be a lot of fun. This Valentine’s Day, try a Shinju Sushi date! For $25 you and your bestie can spend quality time bonding while eating all-you-can-eat sushi. This is a great date night to share with a friend because it doesn’t include all the pressures of going on a buffet-style date with your boyfriend. You and your best friend will not regret hitting up Shinju Sushi together on V-Day. And let’s be honest: who needs a boy-toy when you have unlimited sushi?
2. Harper Theater
Going to a movie on a date with a guy is boring boring boring. You both sit there in silence and one of you is likely to be way more into the movie than the other (think bf at a cheesy rom-com or you at an action film.) Catching a film with your best friend is an inexpensive and fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day together. You will likely have similar interests in movie, so you won’t spend too long picking one, and spending time with your bestie at a movie theater is never a bad idea. For even more bestie-bonding, go to a Walgreens or CVS and stock up on some of your favorite candies before watching the movie!
Whoever said Valentine’s Day is a couples-only holiday definitely lied. There are many other great things to do in Hyde Park and especially downtown, but these quick ideas are a fun way to celebrate V-Day with the one(s) you love. Reward yourself for working hard this quarter and focus on spending quality time with your favorite person this Valentine’s Day!