Covid-Friendly Valentine’s Day Ideas
Last Valentine’s Day, we had no clue that in about a month, life as we knew it would change. Most of us spent it celebrating the old-fashioned way: going out to dinner, seeing a movie, going to a show, taking a trip. However, given the unprecedented circumstances of the world brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, the majority of these traditional V-Day activities are not currently safe to do. While we feel like we are on the brink of returning to some semblance of normalcy, this year’s day of love will have to look different.
Want to make the day special but aren’t sure how with all of the current restrictions? Check out BLME’s Covid-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas below!
Covid-Friendly Valentine’s Day Ideas
Turn Your Dining Room Into a High-End Restaurant
If you are anything like us, you have been ordering excessive amounts of takeout since the pandemic started. While Valentine’s Day definitely calls for ordering out from your favorite restaurant, you want to make it more special than a typical night of takeout. Just because it’s not home-cooked, doesn’t mean it has to be impersonal or sterile. Instead, use this opportunity to transform your dining room into your own private restaurant. Cover the tables with a fancy cloth, create a luxurious tablescape, and break out the fancy champagne glasses. Toss the disposable utensils that come with your meal in the drawer for a later date and be sure to plate the food on china as opposed to keeping it in the takeout containers. Dim the lights, light some candles, but on some mood music, and voila - your own romantic restaurant.
Since many restaurants know that many will be dining in this V-Day, keep an eye out for various Valentine’s Day special takeout packages. For example, our friends at Dineable are teaming up with Reading Terminal Market and Chaddsford Winery for specials on grazing boxes and wine assortments.
Bring the Theater to Your Living Room
Unfortunately, you won't be able to safely and responsibly enjoy a movie screening, comedy show, or concert in-person this February 14th. However, that doesn’t mean you have to nix those things from your Valentine’s Day plans entirely. The pandemic-friendly solution is to create a cute and cozy viewing set-up in your own home.
How can this be achieved? String fairy or bistro lights around the room or frame the TV with them. Make sure there are lots of fuzzy blankets available. Light lots of candles and turn all other room lighting off. Make sure all the classic theater snacks (popcorn, candy, soda, etc.) are readily available. Feeling extra ambitious? Rent a projector and screen your content on a large wall.
If you are unsure what to watch, fear not. Living in the age of streaming combined with companies adapting to Covid times leaves you with a plethora of options. Many movie companies are offering their new releases for rent on demand. Some have even cut deals with streaming services to be able to play new movies from your account, just like HBO Max did with Wonder Woman and The Little Things. There are also tons of comedy specials available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and more. Finally, you can find concert specials on Youtube or other streaming services.
Have a Game Night
Since you won’t be able to be playing giant Jenga at a beer garden with your sweetheart or at a trivia night with your Galentine’s this year, bring the games into your home. Of course, there are classic games for two - Rummy 500, Scrabble, Chess, Yahtzee, etc. - that are tried and true and always a good time. You can also make things interesting by playing a drinking game for two like this one, or whip out this deck of conversation prompts and questions for romantic partners. If you want your other couple friends (or singles!) to join in on the fun but don’t want to have an unsafe gathering, try virtual gaming software like Jackbox, that allows you to all play one game from the comfort of your own home by connecting you thought the Internet.
Just because your Valentine’s Day won’t be a traditional one this year, it doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate. In fact, we think if you use any or all of our Covid-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas, this will be one of your most special ones yet.