6 ways to spend your lockdown Valentine's day

Hello,

Happy Friday! This week has flown by and I forgot that this weekend was Valentine's day. My birthday was literally a week ago but it feels like it was only yesterday. 

I am spending Valentine's day single this year after spending it last year wrapped up in a hotel room in Bournemouth after having a lovely dinner out. I thought I would be sad that I'm single this year but I'm actually feeling okay about it. I am spending my day with my Netflix and a self-care night too. 

I know that there's a lot of you who are spending Valentine's day with your loved ones and I am so happy for you! While wining and dining isn't on the tables right now thanks to Covid, I've come up with six cute Valentine day ideas that you still have time to create.

6 Valentine's day date ideas

1. Fireplace picnic

This one is cute and simple but also perfect for this cold weather too! If you have an electric fire, or you're lucky enough to have a real one, you'll be able to have the cutest date. Grab an air mattress, a couple of blankets, a few candles and set them up in front of the fire. You could move your sofa closer instead for maximum comfort. Prepare a spread of delicious foods and grab yourselves a bottle or two of something special and enjoy. To make this extra perfect you could make a home-cooked meal to enjoy in the evening, pack a picnic basket full of your favourite treats instead to give you the real picnic date vibes and if you've got a real fire burning, take this time to roast some marshmallows and build your own s'mores. While enjoying your picnic, play your favourite music or grab yourself a projector and stick on your favourite film. You'll definitely gain brownie points for that one.

2. Spa night

Have you spent your week rushing around and just need that time to unwind? Well, take full advantage of that on Valentine's day! Create a little spa day basket/hamper filled with soaps, bath bombs, rose petals etc. Place candles around your bath (please be careful with this!) Stick a soft love song playlist on and soak under those bubbles. To make this extra special, put a bowl of snacks nearby to enjoy while soaking, a glass of wine never fails to help either. For ultimate relaxation, I recommend adding a few drops of Lavender essential oil into your bath too.

3. Chocolate factory

I'm sure Amazon has plenty of chocolate fountains available for next day delivery, if not, check with your grandparents and grab it from their doorstep on your way back from the shops. You can never go wrong with Chocolate! Get your favourite chocolate going through the fountain, with a bunch of snacks to cover in its gloriousness e.g. bananas, strawberries, marshmallows etc. To set the mood even more, buy a bouquet or two of flowers, put your snacks into cute little dishes and pop that Prosecco. 

4. Ready steady cook

Maybe you can't actually be with your loved one in person this year but you still want to make the day extra special for them. If this is you, you deserve all the brownie points because you're cute! You can create a date that they'll remember forever by cooking together via zoom or Skype. Give each other an ingredients list (or buy the ingredients and drop it off) alongside the recipe you'll both be using, light some candles, open the drinks and cook together virtually. This is also great to avoid all of those "get out of my kitchen" arguments! 

5. Paint together

This could be done virtually or when you're together in person. You don't necessarily have to paint each other, but just grab a canvas and some paints and let your inner artists come out. You could put out some little snacks to munch on while you paint away. Your artwork can be a souvenir of a great date. 

6. Breakfast in bed

An oldie but a goodie I'd say! You can go all out with this one and add croissants, waffles, pancakes in the shape of a love heart, a fruit bowl, toast, cereals etc or you can simply cook/make your partners favourite breakfast, their favourite hot drink with a glass of juice too and if you wanted to be extra adorable you could add a vase with a bouquet of roses (or their favourite flowers) on the tray too. 

It's not always about how much you spend on a gift and showing your love/appreciation for someone shouldn't be a competition on who can buy the most expensive gift either. Doing simple ideas like these and putting thought behind an action works just as well if not better! I know if I had it my way I'd be more than happy cuddling up with someone I quite like and just talking about the random thoughts that come to our minds. 

I hope you enjoy your Valentine's day, no matter how you're spending it, whether that be with your partner, on your own or with your family. Single or not, remember to love yourself and the people around you too.

I shall be back next week with more posts for you.

Until then,

Have a great weekend.

Stay safe,

Alanna Jean x