With current restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many may choose to stay home instead of head out to their favorite restaurant with their sweetheart this year. We at the Era compiled a list of ideas for couples and families with children to do this year to ensure a sweet Valentine’s Day celebration.
-Besides the obvious idea of having a candlelit dinner for two at home, another idea would be to sit down together and create a scrapbook of one’s relationship. Grab some memorable photos, old ticket stubs, meaningful receipts and other mementos and create a meaningful book that will be treasured for years to come.
-Forget dinner, why not have breakfast in bed? Cook up a delicious breakfast together and enjoy it while lounging in bed. It will be a nice respite from the regular early morning hustle and bustle.
-For a relaxing activity that the children can even join in on, look up some simple Valentine’s Day crafts online. There are a plethora of ideas on sites like Pinterest, including wind chimes, personalized mugs, wall art, Valentine’s cards and candy hearts garland. All one needs is some craft supplies and a dash of creativity.
-Have a scavenger hunt. This is one the kids can also join in on. Hide a small gift somewhere in the house and leave a trail of rose petals or hand written clues for a loved one to find.
-Recreate a first date at home. For example, if the first date took place at a fancy restaurant, obtain a copy of the menu, print it out and try to make one of the dishes at home. If it was at a coffee shop, get some artisanal coffees, bake some scones and have a relaxing tasting (perhaps even buy some tantalizing pastries from John Williams European Pastry Shoppe). If the first date took place at a concert, play some music from the group and dance a little. The only limit is where one’s imagination will take them.
-Take a class together. There are many classes available online at www.eventbrite.com (for adults and children) or www.outschool.com (for children) on a wide variety of topics, such as cooking, dancing and singing. Spending the day with a loved one learning something new is definitely a sweet idea.
-Plan a game night. Grab some favorite board games, some cocktails (or favorite non-alcoholic beverage) and plenty of snacks and have a romantic game night at home. To make it kid-friendly, choose easier games the entire family can play.
-Have a movie day. Pick some rom-coms (or even some horror movies if that’s more appealing), pop some popcorn, order take-out (maybe from Brick Oven Pizza & Catering or Mama Jane’s Eatery) and have an all-day movie marathon.
