Home is Where the Heart Is: 5 Realistic Ideas for a Laid Back Valentine’s Day at Home

Wave after wave isn’t the picture-perfect destination date we had in mind in a raging pandemic…and since going to buy groceries is more of a risky adventure than a hijinks boat ride in the high seas, here are some ideas to celebrate with your valentine without leaving the safety of your sofa.

1. DIY Gifts

Gifts are given on a list about celebrations so why not go for ones that count. Think…something with a personal touch or intention. Skip the expensive grand gesture in favour of these cutesy ideas that will melt your sweetheart.

Surprise Door Drops: Make a hamper of their favourite things – coffee, croissants, tea cakes, gift cards, spa kits, favourite subscriptions and drop it outside the bedroom door for them to find. Trust us, they’ll love the surprise.

Love Cactus: Heartfelt and cute, this prickly but sweet Valentine’s Day DIY idea is a keeper. You can make paper cactus cut-outs or paint terracotta pots lying around in the house with some pink acrylic colour mixed with baking soda (to make it chalky). Repot your cactus plants and add some cute tags like “Stuck On You” or “I’ll Never Desert You”. Watch their eyes light up at this surprise.

Love Mugs: What better way to pull at your special someone’s heartstrings than by gifting them hand-made love mugs with sweet and special messages. Not only will they remember the gesture for years to come but the little souvenir will always remind them of you.

Paper Treat Bags: All the flowers, pancakes and wine, can’t evoke the special sentimentality of personal memory. Enter…personalized treat bags made lovingly from ruled paper. Stuff them with sweet treats, messages and printed photographs of special moments. We’re sure your effort will bring a smile to their face.

Precious Pinata: One of our favourites that speaks directly to the heart – a precious pinata. Stuff a balloon or a papier-mache pinata with (safely packed) love bands or jewelry in gold and diamond. For safety reasons, gently break open your precious pinata with a toy hammer or a plastic show stick. Your boo would never guess the gift inside.

Valentine Snow Globe – We’re obsessed with this fun idea that makes for a sweet gesture. Using some artificial snow (find it online) and photo prints as well as paper hearts and lots of glue dots, you can craft your own sweet, snow globe for your favourite valentine as a fluffy ode to love. You can even add some solar lights to make it light up at night.

2. Indoor Picnic

With quarantine becoming de-rigueur, two bodies-one soul is the sort of the couple norm that is every introvert’s dream come true. Even so, if you’re a naysayer when it comes to mainstream Valentine’s Day celebrations, staying in for fun doesn’t have to be ruled out for the loved-up holiday, does it? Hear us out…an indoor picnic in a sunlit corner of the living room with your favourite brew and breakfast is a great way to start the day. For the late, lunchers some white wine with a charcuterie board, old photo albums, and loads of laughter don’t have to be ruled out. If you’re in the mood for love but not cooking, order in some healthy salads or finger food while you nostalgia in peace.

3. Cooking Together

A get-together for two is on the cards with some cooking thrown in for good measure. While this is a really fun date option for staying in, the trick is to commit to it. Get all up in your Valentine’s feels with a special meal made together. You could sign up for virtual cooking classes or get yourself a pre-made kit that will come with all the ingredients you need to cook up a storm with your special someone.

Source: Instagram @asaqueenoffashion

4. Movie Marathon

Just one film? It’s not a regular Friday night, is it? You gotta go big or go home (pun unintended) If that means hauling your DVDs out of storage or renewing your subscription or pre-downloads then so be it. A real date night needs a real movie marathon. If you’re a die-hard romantic go with Before Sunrise. For off-beat movie lovers, ambient horror will be a great way to cosy up as a twosome through all the nail-biting nasties. Throw in some made-up mocktails and fancy popcorn and you have the perfect soulmate combo.

5. Home Spa

Since a spa weekend won’t be possible owing to safety protocols, you could pamper your partner at home. While a massage trade-off sounds interesting… it’s not realistic because no one wants to be stuck giving massages throughout the day. Instead, order-in head and foot massage packages or one’s that aren’t invasive from a home-spa service online. A little stress-relieving oil and bath soak after will be great for bonding. Besides, it’s great for some valentine day glow.

Source: Pinterest @darlingdarleen.com

Honourable Mention: Virtual Vacation

We know the travel ban will cause a lot of FOMO, but it’s nothing that can’t be handled in the Metaverse. Opt for a virtual vacation with your valentine to exotic locations from the luxury of your sofa with some virtual and interactive museum tours. Get to building a theme for your destination dalliance. If its’ France, then celebrate with some soupe, souffle, sunshine and sweet nothings in the language of love.