Valentine’s Day is literally here and people are still scrambling to find the perfect gifts to let that special someone in their lives know that they care. Classic options like cards, flowers, chocolates, jewelry, and even stuffed animals are always effective — but they’re also incredibly safe and played out.
Maybe this year, it’s time to think outside of the box. From DIY crafts to thoughtful acts of service or quality time spent together, there are plenty of ways to let someone know that they matter without relying on fallback options. And if using any of the classic standbys, there are plenty of ways to make it feel unique. Here are 15 fun ideas to celebrate the day of love with friends, family and lovers.
5 Fun Valentine’s Ideas for Family
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers, it’s also a great time to let family members know that they’re special, important, and top of mind.
Get Busy in the Kitchen
No, not that kind of “get busy.” Make the family a fun and tasty creation that they won’t forget. And keep in mind that it’s not necessary to be a Michelin-star chef to throw down in the kitchen. Whether it’s a cute heart-shaped batch of rice crispy treats or a heart-shaped pizza, they’ll know it was made with love.
Charcuterie…But Make It Sweet
By now everyone is familiar with charcuterie boards — even if they can’t pronounce it right. While the traditional option is made from savory treats like premium deli meats, cheeses and fancy crackers, put a twist on it this Valentine’s Day. Stick to the heart-shaped theme but swap the savory and salty delicacies for sweets. From candies to homemade chocolate covered fruits or cookies, this is an idea that’s sure to make everyone smile.
Turn Valentine’s Day Into a Game
Everyone likes bingo, but love-themed bingo is even better. Either print out bingo cards for the whole family or buy them online. Be sure to have fun prizes on hand for the winner(s) — whether it’s candy treats, small toys or giftables. For added bonus points you could make the game harder by requiring winners to make a heart with their bingo daubs. Alternatively, you could opt for blackout bingo to make the game last longer.
Family Matching Valentine’s Outfits
There’s always something adorable about the whole family dressed up in matching outfits—no matter how many people roll their eyes and pretend to be annoyed by the idea. Fun brands like Hannah Andersson are perfect for finding matching PJs for the whole family. Prefer outfits for the outdoors? Check out brands like Ivy City Co.
Have a Family Photo Shoot
No, this isn’t one of those traditional photo sittings where someone hires a professional photographer. Believe it or not, that phone everyone’s holding in their hands is more than powerful enough to take good pictures. Instead, create a fun Valentine-themed photo booth complete with props and oversized photo frames. Bonus points for keeping the colors on theme.
5 Valentine’s Ideas for Friends
Our friends are our tribe, the people that are there for us when we need them and that are always ready to keep it real and be the honest mirror that many of us need. So, why wouldn’t Valentine’s Day also be a great time to show them that they’re essential like oxygen?
Host a Valentine’s Night In
Whether single or boo’d up, there’s nothing wrong with incorporating friends in the celebration. Think of this as an elevated slumber party. If budgets allow, order in tasty treats from a posh restaurant, pop a bottle of bubbly, and spend the night either binging rom-coms and favorite TV shows, or have a dance party.
Go for High Tea
For the uninitiated, high tea is essentially an elevated type of tea party where small bites, bubbly, and of course tea are served. Usually provided on tiered trays, the nibbles start out savory and work their way up the tiers to sweet bites. Many cities offer high tea but it’s also something that can be recreated DIY-style. If going the DIY route, really get into the festive theme by opting for love-themed bites or picking foods that lend themselves to being red, pink, and white.
Have a Friendship Date
Dates don’t necessarily need to be romantic. A good platonic date let’s people know that they’re special and that spending time with them is a priority. Depending on what everyone is into, fun picks like sip and paints, crafting sessions, or even hitting up a sporting event with the crew can be a great way to bond and enjoy the holiday.
Valentine’s Gift Swaps
This is a fairly easy activity to do and it’s a straightforward concept that pretty much everyone should grasp. A Valentine’s gift swap is no different than holiday gift exchanges — except it’s taking place on February 14th. To keep it fair, set a budget that works for everyone in the swap group. The only requirement (besides sticking to the budget) is that the gifts have to be within the holiday theme.
An Old School Card Exchange
This is one time where people will be forgiven for exchanging cards. Most people remember those fun Valentine’s card exchanges that they had in elementary school. Get that old feeling back by picking up a pack of those cute cards and handing them out to friends or colleagues. The cheesier the better.
5 Valentines Ideas for Couples
Technically speaking, the stakes should be high for anyone (family, friends, or lovers) to get a Valentine’s Day gift. But especially for couples, a lot of emphasis is put on this day to prove their love and romantic capabilities beyond any other day on the calendar.
Create a Scavenger Hunt
This might take a bit more thought since whoever’s planning the scavenger hunt will need to really work through the logistics here. But a fun itinerary that incorporates several “firsts” locations across town can go a long way towards showing a partner that those little moments live top of mind.
To really turn up the romance, limit the scavenger hunt to the house and incorporate mood lighting, flower petals (doesn’t always have to be roses), and maybe cap it off with a steamy romantic bath for two.
Take an Overnight Trip
Depending on which day Valentine’s Day lands on, this overnight trip might extend to a weekend. But there’s nothing like getting away with that special someone and leaving all the distractions behind. From a cute bed and breakfast in the country to a cosmopolitan stay in a bustling city, the point is to get some quality one on one time. To up the ante, plan a real date night where everyone gets dressed up in their best. And be sure to take photos.
DIY Couples Massages
Getting professional massages is always fun. But it’s also nice to get up close and personal with a partner. It’s not necessary to have all the moves down for a Swedish massage. The goal is to boost intimacy and to build excitement for what will hopefully come next. Likewise, getting in tune with a partner’s body helps to build trust and increase closeness. Just make sure to pick a good body oil with a scent that doesn’t offend — nothing’s worse than a headache getting in the way of things.
Recreate That First Date
Nothing says memories like remembering all of the little things from a first date. Whether it was the quirky dive bar or the random choice to spend the night walking around the town long after the date ended, it’s fun to take a stroll down memory lane together.
Plan a Food Tour Through Town
For the couple that loves to discover new restaurants and fancies themselves amateur food critics, this is a fun way to incorporate something they love with someone they love. Plan a food tour by picking out a handful of local restaurants to try out. To make it work and avoid creating an upset stomach by overeating, mix it up between places that serve light bites and those that are designed for more full-service sit-down meals. Opt for shared plates to make the tour last longer.
Make Valentine’s Day Special for Everyone
No matter the age or category, Valentine’s Day is an excellent time to show love and affection to the people that matter most. From relatives and friends to that romantic partner, there are plenty of fun, affordable, and fairly easy ways to prove their importance.