How to celebrate Valentine’s Day in lockdown

The first to take place during a national lockdown, this Valentine’s Day will be different from any you have known before.

However, different doesn’t mean worse, and there are plenty of ways for you to celebrate with your partner — whether you are together or apart on 14 February this year.

We know you’ll be feeling disappointed if you usually head out to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but we are sure you’ll find an idea below that you’ll love.

How to celebrate Valentine’s Day together in lockdown

If you are living together during lockdown, then the chances are neither of you have got dressed up (or even dressed!) lately.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse for you to both make an effort, get dressed up, and spend some quality time together.

Take a look at the ideas below and pick your favourite.

Tuck into a romantic dinner for two

Sure, you can’t dine out this Valentine’s Day, but you can replicate it by treating your partner to a three-course meal you’ve cooked from scratch.

Dim the lights, light a few candles and give them the romantic night they deserve.

Alternatively, you could cook together or choose to cook a course each.

Whichever option you go for, make sure you buy or order your groceries ahead of time, so you’re not disappointed on the day.

If neither of you are great cooks, don’t worry — place an order (again, ahead of time where possible) with your favourite local restaurant and have it delivered to your door.

If you live in Leeds, check out which local independent cafes, restaurants and pubs are doing takeaways.

You could sit at the dining table to eat or, if you always eat there, why not mix it up and create a new cosy area in the living room using a side table and cushions? Or, if you’re feeling daring, why not enjoy your dessert and drinks on a tray in bed?

Enjoy a movie night

We know you’ve probably watched around 400 movies by this stage in the pandemic.

Still, you could make your Valentine’s Day movie night extra special by banning the use of mobile phones, watching in a different room, using a projector instead of a TV or laptop, and buying all of the classic snacks such as popcorn and hotdogs.

Extra points or making the cardboard packaging, too!

Replicate your first date

What could be cuter than replicating your first date at home?

Think back to what you were both wearing on your first date, where you went, and what you drank and ate — then, set the scene for a romantic night in getting to know each other all over again.

Join an online class

A less conventional idea is to join an online class together. It could be a class for anything you agree on — from dancing or yoga to crafting or drawing.

Trying something new can be exciting, and it is bonding to try things together.

Give it a go and have a giggle!

Relax with a spa day

Spas are currently closed, so why not pamper yourselves with a luxurious spa day at home?

Enjoy a bubble bath (alone or together), give each other a full body massage with oils, and relax together in your dressing gowns all day or evening.

Try a garden date

It’s very cold outside at the moment but exhilarating so wrap up warm then head into your garden, huddle around a chiminea, and melt some marshmallows together while you chat or play a game — a very unexpected date night for the time of year!

How to celebrate Valentine’s Day apart

Just because you can’t be together in person doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a romantic night in for Valentine’s Day.

Try one (or more) of the ideas below.

Tuck into a romantic dinner for two — online

Distance doesn’t have to get in the way of a romantic meal for two.

Organise a video call, and you can cook the same meal together, or even order your partner’s favourite meal to be delivered to them from a local restaurant.

Add drinks and chatter and you’ll have a great time.

Enjoy a movie night — online

Using the Teleparty Chrome extension, you and your Valentine can watch a movie or series together online and use the chatbox to keep the conversation flowing.

When the film’s finished, enjoy a video chat to discuss what you watched and enjoy a cocktail together.

Have a games night

There are loads of question card games that you can play through a video call, and they’re often designed so you can learn more about each other.

Do something different, have a laugh, and find out more about your partner.

Alternatively, play online games together.

Write love letters to each other

Old-fashioned but classically romantic and always appreciated, why not send your partner a love letter?

No, not an email or a printed Word document, but a handwritten declaration of your affections!

You could agree to write one to each other, or you could surprise your partner with one.

For a modern and fun twist, order The Missed Flight from PuzzlePost; it’s a set of puzzles that, when solved, reveal a personalised message to your partner!

Send flowers or a gift

Simple but romantic, you could send your partner some flowers to remind them of how much you love and miss them.

If your partner doesn’t like flowers, send them something else.

For bigger budgets, a gift could be a piece of jewellery, for example.

Anything thoughtful will be appreciated so those of you with a smaller budget could make a gift or send your beloved a little parcel containing some of their favourite treats.

If you’re in a long-distance relationship, you might like to read our blog post on how to make a long-distance relationship work at university.