With lockdown restrictions still in place across the UK, the prospect of a romantic Valentine’s Day might seem a little out of reach, and with romantic fine dining dinners and evenings at the champagne bar or the casino currently off the menu, you may be wondering how you can make the date a special one without being able to leave your home.
If you’re locked down with your partner, then spending months together at home might have taken the shine off yet another evening in, but if you live apart, then you might be feeling even worse at the thought of missing out on celebrating the most romantic day of the year together.
The good news is, whatever your present situation, there are plenty of ways to inject a little excitement into your evening, whether together, or apart. From cooking up a feast at home and popping the bubbly to dining together over Zoom, with a little time and effort you could easily make this your best Valentine’s Day yet. The thoughtful gesture is bound to be appreciated by the one you love, and all the more so given the circumstances.
So, to give you some inspiration, we’ve rounded up our favourite ideas for a luxurious lockdown Valentine’s Day this year – just choose the ones that suit your situation, and you’re guaranteed to be onto a winner.
Plan a date night
While you might not be able to head out to your favourite restaurant or bar this year, there’s no reason that an evening of gastronomic delights has to be off the cards, and with a few bottles of good wine and definitely some champagne, a home-cooked feast is all that’s required to upgrade your evening to sophisticated new heights.
If you’re a dab hand in the kitchen, then planning a mouth-watering three course menu and executing it to perfection is certain to go down a treat. And, for the less culinarily confident, ordering in from your favourite Michelin-starred eatery might just go down even better.
If you’ll be celebrating with your loved one from different homes, or even different sides of the world, then worry not – all is not lost. Set up a dinner date via Zoom, get dressed up to the nines, and eat your dinner together over a bottle (or two) of wine. You might be geographically apart, but being together in spirit will guarantee you an evening to remember.
Get dressed up to the nines
After months spent working from home, you might well have forgotten quite what your favourite Chanel dress and pair of Louboutins look like, so take the opportunity to get dressed up to the nines and you’re certain to knock your date’s socks off. Having a long bath and taking your time over it will all add to the opulence of the evening, and if you’ve been looking for an excuse to treat yourself to some new season designer pieces, then this is it.
Take the opportunity to revisit your very first date and dress to impress. If both of you are prepared to make the effort, then it’ll be a special evening all round.
Treat them to a thoughtful gift
When it comes to getting their Valentine’s gift just right, the key is in the amount of thought you put into it. Send them a generic box of chocolates, and the lack of thought and effort will show – so instead, take your time to think about what they would really love to receive, and the more personal, the better. If you’re buying for a woman, then a beautiful piece of diamond or pearl jewellery is unlikely to ever go unappreciated, but be sure to pay attention to their taste and style in order to choose a piece that’s just right for them.
If, on the other hand, you’re buying for the man you love, then an expensive watch like a Rolex or Omega, engaged with a personalised message, is certain to be a winner.
Already done the watch and jewellery thing? It might be time to look for something a little more unique. The personalised gifts from Artfia Australia are varied and many, and are guaranteed to give you some inspiration.
If you’re far apart from your partner for Valentine’s Day, then be sure to plan ahead and have their gift delivered on the day. You can even open each other’s over Facetime or WhatsApp video in the morning to start your day together, then end it with a date together later.
Settle in with some quality entertainment
If you’re lucky enough to have a cinema room at home, then now is the time to make use of it. Create a cosy set-up by adding some warm blankets and throw cushions, set up an ice bucket for the champagne, and lay on some canapes such as smoked salmon blinis or oysters and caviar. To really recreate that first date feel, put on the first film you ever watched together as a couple and spend the evening reminiscing about your favourite memories together.
Spending the evening apart? Netflix Party has arrived just in time. Allowing you and your love interest to watch the same film or TV show together from a distance, in complete synchronicity, it’s the next best thing to being together. All you need is a Chrome browser, and you’re good to go, with a live chat allowing you to keep the conversation going along the way.
There’s no denying that Valentine’s Day is going to be a little different this year, but there’s no reason you have to compromise on the romance. Or the luxury, for that matter.
If you’re prepared to be a little more flexible and plan the occasion together in advance, then it might just be your best yet – and one you’ll remember for years to come.
