Material gifts are great and all, don’t get me wrong! Who wouldn’t want a nice pair of earrings or a heart-shaped box of chocolates on Valentine’s Day? But there are so many different ways to make your partner feel special on this romantic holiday without resorting to flower bouquets and teddy bears.
If you’re looking to do something different this year, here are some simple ways to win your significant other’s heart all over again. Trust me, these will earn you some major points!
1. REVISIT THE LOCATION OF THE FIRST DATE
Whether we’re in a long-term relationship or married, the most common complaint that our significant others make is that we’re not as romantic as we used to be, which is expected after you’ve been together for a few years. Surprise your sweetheart by visiting the location where you had your first date. You can even take it to the next level and wear the same outfits you wore that day and go to the same café, bar, or park. Spend the night reminiscing about the time when you two decided to be a couple. Trust me, it would be hard not to fall in love all over again.
2. DO SOMETHING THEY HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO BUT YOU’VE BEEN PUTTING OFF FOR YEARS
Did your significant other always want to try ziplining? Do they dream of taking tango dancing lessons? Well, now is your chance to try doing something that they’ve been begging to do for years. Does it matter that it might be something that we don’t want to do like hopping on a dreaded roller coaster ride or visiting art museums all night? No, because at the end of the day, it’s about making that special someone in your life happy.
3. HAVE A BACKYARD PICNIC
Forget about making reservations at a fancy restaurant this year. Make some sandwiches and pack them in a picnic basket along with a bag of their favorite snacks and some refreshments. But there’s no need to head to a park because a backyard picnic can be truly romantic if you take the time to make it extra special.
Place a blanket with some throw pillows and lit a few candles to create a romantic ambiance. Put out a delicious spread of cheese, bread, nuts, fruits, and salami on a plate. Play some music on your phone and talk until the late hours of the night under a sky full of stars. And if the weather outside is dreadful, then take the picnic into the living room!
4. GO TECH-FREE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
Whether you choose to have a backyard picnic, or head to a nearby café to recreate your first date, make sure to switch off your phones, laptops, and any other electronic devices. That includes televisions and Smartphones, too. It might sound cheesy but there’s nothing more romantic than letting someone we love know that they have our undivided attention.
5. DO THINGS YOU BOTH LOVE FOR A WHOLE DAY
Like I suggested earlier, you can do something that your significant other really wants to do if you want the focus to be on them on Valentine’s Day. But if you also want to have a blast, then try doing things you both love and make it a whole day of fun!
Plan a day or a night that’s full of both of your favorite things and do them all in the same day. It can be eating takeout, going on a hike, playing videogames, getting a massage, watching a movie, or hitting a restaurant you both love. You’ll be exhausted at night but it will be a crazy fun adventure to reminisce about in the future.
6. BE THE CHEF FOR THE EVENING
Nothing says “I love you” quite like a well-prepared meal by the person we love. Choose a meal they really like. You can go for their favorite childhood recipe or something they’ve always wanted to try.
Then set up the table with a couple of candles and put on some romantic music in the background. If you can’t cook, (or you’re too busy to schedule in a whole afternoon of cooking!) make it easier on everyone and order a nice meal from a restaurant, you both love.
