Valentine’s Day comes every year, so for those in a long-term relationship you may feel like you’ve already pulled out all the stops—and now it’s time for the routine box of chocolates and a card.
Let me stop you right there.
Whether this is your first or thirty-first Valentine’s Day with your partner, the romance doesn’t have to disappear from the holiday.
We know you can do better than that basic card, but in case you’re having a mental block—here are some unique Valentine’s Day ideas to get your February 14th started off on the right foot!
1. Breakfast in Bed
Who wouldn’t love waking up to breakfast already made for them?
Especially since Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday this year, we could all use some help getting out the door for work, right?
Not a cook? No problem!
Preparing your special-someone a bowl of fresh fruit, some toast, and a nice hot cup of coffee is sure to put a smile on their face and a pep in their step.
Go the extra mile and include some fresh flowers and a balloon on their breakfast tray—you know, since it is Valentine’s Day and all.
If you don’t live with your significant other, it might take an extra-early morning on your part, but you can still surprise them with breakfast while they’re getting ready in the morning.
Showing up at their door with a Dunkin’ Donuts bag in one hand, a bouquet in the other, and a smile on your face will be the perfect start to their day.
Besides, knowing they’re the first thing you think about when you wake up is better than any last minute cheesy card.
2. Activity Date
Skip the over-crowded restaurants and go for something a little less traditional this Valentine’s Day.
Thinking outside the box doesn’t have to go as far as taking your partner indoor skydiving—although that’s pretty cool, and if you do choose that, show us your pics! (Tag us on social media @givelovingly with the hashtag #uniquevalentines !)
Maybe ice skating if more your style. Or, make plans to go bowling, maybe even as a double date with friends. You can even have flowers waiting for them at the bowling alley. With a date like this, your Valentine’s Day is sure to be a hit—or “a strike”!
3. Sporting Event
Sporting events don’t typically have a romantic reputation, but attending one with your loved one is certain to make memories.
Typically hockey and basketball are what you’d find tickets to for Valentine’s Day, but you never know what minor/local league teams might be playing or having tryouts that you can watch.
Don’t let not being a fan of the particular sport deter you either, take this opportunity to learn about it!
In fact, a great gift for each other could be a pocket guide to the sport if you aren’t familiar with it, and maybe even t-shirts for the teams you’re going to watch!
4. Scavenger Hunt
The best part of this idea is you can make it as extreme, or as low-key as you want!
From hiding clues around your house, to arranging clues to be hidden all over town, there’s no limit to how far you can go… literally!
Your clues can be as simple as handwritten post-it notes or if you want to go all out, print some cute clues from sources like Pinterest.
If you’re doing a scavenger hunt around town, think of places your partner likes to go, so they’ll enjoy their time during the hunt, and not just the end.
The end treasure can be anything!
A small gift, plane tickets for a vacation you’ve been wanting to go on, a scrapbook of the two of you, or even—you! The possibilities are endless with this unique Valentine’s Day idea.
5. Repeat Your First Date
Take a cue from a Hallmark movie and surprise your loved one with a re-created first date.
Did you two hit it off at a small sports bar over a basket of lukewarm cheese fries? Or did you go to the movies at a theater that’s now closed down?
Recreate it!
Talk to the the owner of the sports bar and have those less-than-romantic cheese fries ready and waiting at the exact barstools you both sat at. Or find out who owns the property of the once-thriving cinema and get permission to have a picnic and set up a movie on your iPad there.
Maybe you were more traditional and to recreate your first date you just need to make reservations at a specific restaurant.
Whatever it was, the nostalgia will go a long way.
6. A Bespoke Bouquet
Red and/or pink roses are the most expected gift on Valentine’s Day since you graduated from paper tear-away cards you were forced to hand out to everyone in your elementary school class.
But your sweetheart is a unique—their bouquet should be too!
Instead of stopping by the supermarket on your way home this Valentine’s Day, seek out the expertise of your local florist.
Some people like big, voluminous blooms, such as peonies, while others prefer the wild splash of a snapdragon.
Using a service like Lovingly brings the personalization of a flower shop to your fingertips with a few easy, personalized questions.
In just a few minutes you can have a custom-designed bouquet order placed with a real, local florist, and you’re on your way to brightening your special someone’s day.
7. Thrift Store Swap
Okay… this one is for the outgoing couples out there.
But don’t worry, you’ll still be getting a (semi) traditional Valentine’s Day dinner at the end!
Here’s how this works:
You and your partner go to a thrift store, separate, and pick out an outfit for the other. Once you check out, give each other their thoughtfully selected ensemble—then wear them out to dinner!
If you’re not quite that outgoing, but you still like the idea, you can take it down a notch by buying your Valentine’s Day gifts for each other from the thrift store and exchanging them over dinner.
Either way, we’d love to see your pictures from this one!
Tag us on social media: @givelovingly and use the hashtag: #uniquevalentines to show off your thrift store creations.
8. Movie Theme Night
Sure, you and your partner probably watch movies together all the time—it’s nothing special, right?
Wrong!
Tonight you’re gonna turn it up a notch with a total movie themed evening.
From snacks to decorations, whether your movie of choice is Ocean’s 8, and you turn your living room into a jewel-heist extravaganza, or it’s Bohemian Rhapsody, and your cheese and crackers are shaped like little guitars… go all out!
Once you have your movie picked out, check out resources like Pinterest for snack and decoration inspiration.
If your movie is set in a different time, or world, you can really get into it by dressing like you and your partner are a part of it!
9. Ice Cream Crawl
Even though February is pretty chilly for some of us, there’s still some ice cream/frozen yogurt places open year-round to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Chill out this Valentine’s Day by going on an ice cream crawl!
Much like the more traditional bar-crawl, you start at one ice cream parlor or frozen yogurt shop, enjoy a tasty dessert together, then move on to the next!
For more fun—make a game of it! Critique each spot as if you were a bonafide ice cream critic, vote for your favorite one, and swap notes at the end of the crawl.
Have fun!
We hope these 9 unique Valentine’s Day ideas spark your creativity and get you looking forward to February 14th!
If you try any of these out, be sure to let us know by tagging us on social media: @givelovingly with the hashtag #uniquevalentines and don’t forget to share this ideas with anyone who may need a little hint!
