With not long to go before the most romantic holiday of the year, it is the perfect time to get some inspo to make it a memorable occasion. My first piece of advice is to avoid going out on Valentine’s Day itself. Not only does it fall on a Thursday this year, but restaurants make a killing by charging extra because people feel like they have to go out on the day to show they love their other half. In my opinion, save a few pounds and go out over the weekend or on Friday night (which also means you can have more to drink!).
I’ve compiled a selection of Valentine’s Day ideas for all kinds of personality types. Whether you want to surprise your boyfriend, treat your girlfriend or just want to distance yourself from the traditional ideas, check out my suggestions below to create a fun and memorable celebration.
History Geek
Pick Saturday for your Valentine’s celebrations. Look around the English Heritage or National Trust websites to find a historic house or impressive castle to explore with your other half and be sure to get some photos together. To make it extra romantic, you could take a picnic (and lots of warm clothes!) or stop for a spot of lunch after you’ve thoroughly absorbed the history.
Music Fanatic
If there’s a decent concert on over the weekend, I would suggest grabbing tickets and boogying together. If not, it might be an idea to head to one of London’s infamous music bars – such as The Piano Works, where the audience decides the songs to be performed live by pianists – to have a night of singing and dancing.
Outdoorsy Type
What better way to spend some romantic time together than on a long walk? Choose from rolling hills, city strolls or woodland wanders, grab your hiking boots and your partner’s hand and embrace the outdoors. For a special touch, pack a bottle of fizz and some glasses to toast to your other half at whatever spectacular viewpoint you decide.
Foodie
Although I suggested not going out on Valentine’s Day itself (totally up to you), that doesn’t mean you can’t go out for a meal to celebrate another day. If you’re wanting to set a budget, find a set lunch menu so you can keep the costs upfront but remember drinks are additional. Depending on the preferred cuisine of your other half, there are loads of great places to try, from the quirky Dishoom (Indian) across London to the grandeur of Bob Bob Ricard (English/Russian) in Soho, or even The Ivy spread out across the country, there are definitely places to have a memorable meal.
The Sporty One
If you’re fitness fanatics, maybe go for an evening run and stop at a pub on your way back for a few candlelit drinks, before returning home for a steamy bath. Or, if you want to catch up on your favourite game, get some themed snacks and settle in for a night of cuddles and cheering.
The Nerd
Whip out your partner’s favourite console and game, get a hold of some killer music, drinks and snacks and knuckle down together to kill supervillains, save princesses, fight armies and level up.
TV/Movie Obsessed
Light a fire, grab your favourite takeaway and snuggle up in front of the TV. Maybe pick some romcoms to set the scene and get cosy together as you share some good food and laughter in this understated and enjoyable evening idea.
Animal Lover
There are wildlife parks spread out across Britain (and, indeed, the world) that provide more sustainable ways of looking after animals. Bigger pens and appropriate living conditions make these places much less controversial than traditional zoos and mean you get to see all the cute animals without putting them in high levels discomfort. Get your camera ready to snap some adorable photos and enjoy pointing out all the fluffy animals together.
Literature Lover
One of the best things you can do if your partner loves books is to get them a copy of their favourite book – or a new bestseller – and curl up together in a toasty room with a cup of tea and do some reading together. Even better, head to a local bookshop and spend some time browsing together, before heading home for some quality time together.
Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a romantic occassion with your other half and enjoy some special time with each other this Valentine’s Day.