There are a number of reasons you may decide to celebrate at home. Maybe you don’t want to squeeze into a busy restaurant because the calendar dictates it. Perhaps you don’t want the expense of it; let’s be honest, they hike the prices to go out on this specific evening. Or maybe you can’t get a sitter for the night (everyone has plans!). Whatever reason is encouraging you to spend the day, or evening at home, there are so many ways you can make the night special. Here’s just some ideas to get you started.
Have a gourmet meal prepared for you
As an alternative to a nice meal out, why not have a private chef come to your house and cook for you? Hiring a private chef offers several advantages—the cost is often comparable to eating at a restaurant—and it takes all the stress and hassle out of the experience. Not only will they create a menu you’ll love, but they’ll also source the ingredients, prepare the meal, and even clean up afterward. If other couples are in the same position, why not host friends and celebrate together?
If you want to prepare a showstopping menu for your partner, Waitrose Dispatch has put together a spectacular Valentine’s menu that includes culinary creations from your favourite celebrity chefs, such as Michel Roux, Rick Stein, and Sabrina Ghayour. You can pick your preferred delivery date and your meal comes with full instructions – most of which is about presentation, or simply reheating. You can create an exceptional restaurant-quality menu, with significantly reduced cooking time, all without leaving home.
Cook together
If one of the main purposes of staying in is to save money, why not work together and recreate one of your favourite recipes? Or, turn to a recipe and cook something you’ve never tried – you’ll both learn new culinary skills too.
Put your favourite tracks on and savour this quality time with each other; plus, it’ll enhance your communication and team working skills, and strengthen your bond.
Look for a virtual dance class or follow a YouTube class online
There are studios up and down the country that offer live-streamed and pre-recorded classes. Why not have a little fun and try something different. If you can’t find a class that suits you, look to YouTube for inspiration. If you both enjoy it, why not look at signing up to a class near you and make it a regular thing?
Order pizza and play co-op video games
If you have the consoles and both like video games, why not order a takeaway and spend the night gaming? A co-op game, with its shared goals, is a great way to strengthen your bond and enhance communication—just remember you’re on the same team! There are plenty of co-op games to choose from, such as Fortnite, It Takes Two, and classic Mario games like Super Mario Bros.
Video games not your thing? Why not create a themed movie experience?
If video games are not for you, why not create a themed movie experience instead? We’ve seen a lot of these with Disney themes, but there is nothing stopping you picking one of your favourites – be it a rom-com or adventure, and tailoring your foods and drinks to the movie.
For example, if the movie is set in New York, why not make Cosmopolitan, Manhattan or Old Fashioned cocktails; order a pizza, source bagels, make a Waldorf salad, or spaghetti and meatballs – you get the gist.
Order a charcuterie platter, have a bottle of something special and play board games
Minimal effort for you both, it’s just a case of arranging it (unless you want to add any hot-food elements) and settling in for a night of competition – but make it fun. Or, you could play a co-op strategy game; just steer clear of anything that could start a war- Monopoly, we’re looking at you.
If you have children at home, a board game night is a nice way to include them.
Why not settle on the sofa and watch home movies of your wedding day, flick through your wedding album or go back over your holidays together
So many of our memories now sit on digital drives that barely get a look in – and there are thousands of your memories just waiting for you. I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of nostalgia and what better day than Valentine’s Day to watch your wedding video, flick through your wedding album (be it hard copy or digital) or your cherished memories over the years. Be honest, when was the last time you did this? Don’t forget the snacks and drinks!
Have a carpet picnic by candle – or fairy- light
If quality time is what you’re after, where spontaneity could lead the night, just organise a little carpet picnic, dim the lights, or light a few candles, or get the fairy lights out and just talk. I mean, when do we ever just get the time to sit with our partner? Whether the evening leads to one of the activities mentioned above, or a different kind of activity, well that’s for you to decide.
