What Are Some Unique Valentine's Day Ideas

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to celebrate your sweetheart, but flowers, candy, and dinner at a fancy restaurant? That's all been done before. If you want to have a one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day that's as special as the person you love, never fear. We've rounded up a few of our favorite ways that will help you think outside the chocolate box! And if you're flying solo, celebrating with your bestie, or looking for family-friendly ideas, we've got you covered, too.

Steps

Hiking

1. Bundle up and hit the trails to enjoy the outdoors together. If the weather's going to be nice, a hike is a great way to make the most of your Valentine's Day. Spending the day in nature is the perfect way to shut out all the outside noise and just focus on each other. To really up the romance, pick a trail that will lead you to a picturesque view, then have a picnic at the most scenic spot.
   • Pick a trail that matches your experience level—if you've never hiked before, a beginner trail will ensure you don't get too winded to say "I love you."
   • If it's too chilly to head outdoors, try bonding over indoor rock climbing, instead.

Scary movie marathon

1. Snuggle up on the couch while you watch something spooky. Don't worry about dealing with a crowded theater—and skip the cliched rom-coms. Instead, make your own one-of-a-kind celebration by queueing up a few spooky movies and cozying up on the sofa with your sweetheart. You'll love the chance to get close during those "oh so scary" scenes!
   • If you just can't deal with horror movies or you need something a little more family-friendly, watch murder mysteries, vintage sci-fi flicks, a superhero franchise, or even your favorite comedies instead.
   • Make sure you have plenty of snacks on hand! Good options include a charcuterie board, an assortment of candy, or a popcorn bar with all of your favorite toppings.

Virtual concert

1. Surprise your partner with a live show from home. Live music is always fun, but don't worry if you can't get to a show—stream one at home, instead. Look online to see if there any of your favorite artists are doing a livestream show for Valentine's Day. Then, pour a couple of glasses of wine, turn up the volume, and dance the night away together.
   • To make it feel more like a date, get dressed up the same way you would for a live concert—ripped jeans, eyeliner, and all!

Bike ride

1. Take a scenic ride if the weather is nice. Pop on a couple of helmets and take a relaxed bike ride so you can enjoy the fresh air together. If the streets are crowded, load up the bikes and head to a nearby scenic bike trail instead. Plan to stop for lunch at a cute cafe—or pack your own picnic for an even cozier way to refuel.
   • You could even rent a tandem bike for a unique, romantic experience.
   • Celebrating as a family? Pick an extra-safe place to ride and bring the kids along!

Dance class

1. Try something new by learning to tango together. Check to see what dance classes are being offered in your area. A lot of studios offer romantic ballroom dance classes as part of a Valentine's Day special. This can be a great way to get your body moving while you and your loved one get extra-close.
   • Just be sure to sign up early in case the classes fill up fast.
   • Try an online dance video if you'd rather stay in. Bonus—you can really turn up the heat when you're by yourself!

Hometown tour

1. Get silly and see your town through the eyes of a tourist. Take the opportunity to see all the sights you've been meaning to get to. Check out the museums, go shopping, take a walking tour—whatever the main hot spots are. Be sure to take plenty of pictures, and don't forget to grab a fun souvenir!
   • If you and your partner love all things spooky, try a ghost tour that shows off all the haunted spots in town.
   • Already seen all the sights in your town? Try going for a romantic scenic drive instead. You could also get adventurous with a helicopter or boat tour.

Board games

1. Get competitive with a roll of the dice. Whether you're planning a fun date or a night for the whole fam, breaking out the board games can provide plenty of old-school fun for everyone. Go classic with games like Monopoly and Candyland, or get even more involved by trying out a role-playing game like Dungeons and Dragons.
   • Card games like Uno, Rook, and poker can be a fun way to pass the time, as well.
   • If you don't have any board games or cards on hand, play a guessing game like Charades or 20 Questions. You could also turn on a two-player video game—go with something co-op if you don't want to play against each other.
   • Raise the stakes by making a wager, like "Winner gets to pick the movie later"—although you might want to make it a little steamier if it's just you and your Valentine.

Painting class

1. Create side-by-side masterpieces at a paint-and-sip class. These classes walk you through creating your very own paintings from start to finish—no experience required. They're a fun way to get silly, and you can bring your finished paintings home, so you'll always remember this one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day!
   • This is a great way to celebrate with a friend, but since these events often serve wine, they're not usually kid-friendly.
   • To celebrate at home, stock up on the supplies ahead of time, then try a virtual painting class.

Craft

1. Bond with your Valentine by making something together. Getting crafty together can be a fun way to learn more about your partner—you get to see their creative side, watch how they approach unfamiliar projects, and see how they deal with a challenge when something inevitably goes awry. Stock up on supplies ahead of time, and be sure to include plenty of snacks (and maybe some wine).
   • The options for crafts are endless! A few fun ideas might include making a scrapbook of your favorite dates, tie-dying T-shirts, writing out sweet messages in candy, or decorating picture frames that hold cute pictures of the two of you.

Virtual cooking class

1. Skip the crowds and make your own fancy dinner right at home. It can be really tough to get a table on Valentine's Day. Instead, pair up in the kitchen to make a nice dinner together. Even if you're no pro in the kitchen, virtual cooking classes will walk you through every step, so it's easy to turn out something seriously impressive.
   • If you love a little competition, try turning it into a cook-off—when you get through cooking, judge each other's finished dishes to see whose looks and tastes the best.
   • Consider making a themed dinner, like making a classic French dish—complete with baguettes—then watching a movie like Before Sunset, Midnight in Paris, Amélie, or Moulin Rouge.

Beer tasting

1. Stay warm by trying some new beers at home. Stop by a craft brewery to try out some local brews, or pick up a make-your-own-six-pack at your favorite grocery store. Either way, you're sure to win your sweetheart over by surprising them with a fun selection of beers to try together. As a bonus, if you're drinking at home, you don't have to worry about who's driving!
   • Not sure where to start? Stouts and porters are both dark, rich beers that go great with cold weather and chocolate-covered strawberries.
   • You could also take an online mixology class to help you mix up your own top-shelf-worthy cocktails.
   • If you want to go out, check out some breweries, pubs, or wine bars in your area.

Camp out

1. Set up tents in your back yard for a cozy night out. If you have a big enough back yard, set up tents, string up some lights, and make a campfire in the fire pit. Even if it's too chilly to sleep out there overnight, you'll have fun roasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories, and cuddling in your sleeping bag while you share your Valentine's chocolates.
   • If you don't have your own backyard, check whether there are any companies nearby that have glamping (or glamorous camping) setups—Valentine's Day is no time for roughing it!

Ice skate

1. Get out of your comfort zone by hitting the ice together. The two of you are sure to giggle as you try to get the hang of your skates. On the other hand, you might just be surprised to learn that your partner can glide across the ice like a pro! Bonus—you get to warm each other up after you're finished.
   • If there's not an ice rink near you, try roller skating instead.

References

See also

• Make It Through Valentine's Day Without a Valentine
• Create a Harry Potter Valentine's Day
• Surprise Your Sweetheart in a Small Space
• Plan a Valentines Day Date in Elementary School
• Celebrate Anti Valentine's Day
• Be Your Own Valentine
• Spend Valentine's Day on Your Own (for Girls)
• Make Valentine's Day Curtains
• Text a Girl on Valentine's Day
• Make Glitter Valentine's Day Cards

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