Anyone else wondering how they’re going to celebrate this Valentine’s Day? Whether you’re wanting to spend a romantic evening with your partner or gathering with a group of friends you love, I’ve got some great ideas to make for a memorable night.
If you’re anything like me, you love to go all out for the holidays. I’ve decided to take the guesswork out of your planning by gathering up some charming dishes, activities, and gifts to really wow your loved ones this Valentine’s Day.
In this article:
Romantic Recipes
photo credit: womansday.com
Oysters on the Half Shell with Ceviche topping
I think you already know why this one made the list *wink*.
Oysters are a great way to kick off the evening and you’re sure to make this one a hit with a ceviche twist. Dylan Fultineer makes this dish an easy and quick way to add a little luxury to your night.
photo credit: southernliving.com
Slow-roasted cherry tomato bruschetta
I’m all for staying on-theme and these delightfully red cherry tomatoes are sure to decorate your table beautifully. Plus - who doesn’t love a little bruschetta?
If you’re interested, Robby Melvin includes a wonderful informational video about growing your own high-quality tomatoes.
Truly a garden-to-table delight!
photo credit: tasteofhome.com
So very berry brie
Spice up your charcuterie board with this So Very Berry Brie recipe. If you love snacking on a little cheese before dinner, you’ll love the way Taste of Home takes this age-old classic and makes it their own.
Served best with toasted bread or crackers.
photo credit: spoonforkbacon.com
Braised lamb shanks
Looking for a reason to dust off the old Dutch oven and whip up something extra tasty? These Braised Lamb Shanks are an easy way to wow your partner with a dish that they will without a doubt know you put love into.
What’s more, Jenny Park takes this seemingly difficult dinner and makes it simple, uncomplicated, and absolutely delicious!
Her suggestions for sides (Creamy Polenta, Cheesy Potatoes Gratin, Creamy Risotto, etc.) are even more enticing. Just. YUM.
photo credit: foodnetwork.com
Heart-shaped lasagna bundt
If you’re more into the kitschy-cute type of date night, a Heart-Shaped Lasagna Bundt dish makes the perfect entree.
Although it takes a little extra time and effort, your partner is sure to appreciate the extra love that goes into making this dinner.
I’d suggest serving your bundt with a delightfully light side salad and acidic, fruity red wine like Chianti Classico or Pinot Noir.
photo credit: aheadofthyme.com
Vegan stuffed bell peppers
Brighten up your dinner table with these gorgeous Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers.
Not only are they vegan, but they’ll make for a lighter and healthier option if you feel so inclined. However, if you’d like to add meat to the dish, Sam and Dan suggest using chicken, turkey, or chorizo.
These creative chefs have created a colorful and flavor-intense dish that everybody is sure to enjoy.
photo credit: aheadofthyme.com
Nutella Ferrero rocher mousse cups
This one is for all the mousse lovers out there!
These mousse cups are another dish from Sam and Dan that’s sure to turn into a classic at your household. Plus the fact that they’re light, creamy, and airy will make them the perfect delight after a heavy meal.
photo credit: sweetpotatosoul.com
Dreamy oatmilk chocolate mousse tart
Okay, I swear I didn’t pick this treat because it also contains mousse - it’s vegan! Even if you’re not vegan, this completely dairy-free dessert will also be easy on the tummy.
Jenné makes this dish as healthy as a chocolate tart can be, so you won’t have to feel guilty about a little Valentine’s Day indulgence.
photo credit: awayfromthebox.com
chocolate covered strawberry mini cheesecakes
These mini cheesecakes are different from your average cheesecake recipe with a delicate and fluffy twist. How does Sarah achieve this unique texture? Whipped egg whites!
The added decadence of the chocolate covered strawberries is sure to make the evening special.
photo credit: saltandlavender.com
Pomegranate and persimmon winter sangria
Moving on to the cocktails! I love a good Sangria and this recipe is sure to take the cake.
The dark red color of the crème de cassis liqueur fits perfectly with the Valentine’s theme and the winter produce used should be easy enough to find.
Serve this tasty treat in a glass pitcher to really show off its colorful garnishing.
photo credit: brit.co
Strawberry Jalapeño Margaritas
If you love tequila cocktails, you’re going to love these Strawberry Jalapeño Margaritas from Brit + Co.
The jalapeño surprise will definitely heat up your evening and serve as a brilliant night cap.
photo credit: cookieandkate.com
Kir royale
Break out your best bubbly for this delicious champagne drink. Out of the three cocktails I’ve chosen to include, this recipe is certainly the simplest - it only requires chilled champagne and chambord/crème de cassis (plus some raspberries for garnishing).
Cookie + Kate dives into the differences between the two liqueurs for you to make an educated decision, but I’d suggest the crème de cassis for a deeper pink hue.
Make it a date
Ice cream bar
I’m sure you remember those magical moments at the ice cream shop where you got your favorite flavor and loaded it with all sorts of toppings. Bring that nostalgia home for Valentine’s Day with your very own ice cream bar! Making your dessert together an activity is a simple yet adorable way to add a little fun and whimsy to the night.
Board Game Night
I’m a sucker for a board game night and I’ve certainly spent a lot of winter nights in Michigan listening to music and playing a round or two of Scrabble. It can be hard to find new games that function well for two people (besides the classic card/board games) so I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites for you and your partner to try out.
Pandemic (2+): Would you believe me if I said I’ve been playing this game since before 2020? Just surreal. If you have a sense of humor and don’t mind the significance, Pandemic can be a really fun game to play. You and your partner function as a team trying to stop the outbreak of a virus. Your characters have different and special abilities that will help you with your task as you travel the world saving one city at a time. Planning and timing are everything in this game and the difficulty level can always be altered. Enjoy with two or more people!
HORRIFIED (2+): Another cooperative game where you play together to defeat the monsters trying to take over the town. This game is extremely stylistic with the main antagonists being the classic monsters from Universal Horror: Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Dracula, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, Creature from the Black Lagoon. Again, you’ll play different characters with special abilities trying to take down the monsters while at the same time trying to save the townspeople. Enjoy at different levels of difficulty with two or more people.
Candyland (2+): Okay, hear me out. This game is extremely simple and entirely relies on chance but I’ve always had a good time playing this game, even in my late 20’s. The nostalgia it brings and the ease of gameplay (especially if you’re a little tipsy after a few cocktails) can truly make for a great night. If you’d like to modify the game to make it more interesting, this article - written by a father who just wants the game to be more bearable - consists of ten different ways to make the game more engaging.
Movie/TV Show bingo
Spend the night watching your favorite movie or show as a couple, but with an exciting twist! Essentially every popular movie/TV show has a bingo game attached to its name. This Pinterest account is chalk full of free bingo cards for you to play off of. Whether you make it a drinking game or play for bragging rights, you’re sure to have a good time.
Make sushi Rolls
Cooking together can be such a romantic way to spend the night with your partner. Make your evening fun and light by creating your own sushi rolls. Joanne describes a straightforward way to make sushi at home in her article, Homemade Sushi Recipe. I’d highly suggest getting your own sushi roller or two and don’t forget your favorite fillings!
Self-care night
Turn your home into a super exclusive spa retreat for Valentine’s Day - you probably already have most of the necessary tools in your own bathroom. Make the night extra special and relaxing by gathering up some face masks, hot towels (you can make these by simply placing a damp towel in the microwave for 30 seconds), massage oil, nail polish, candles, etc. Then you can slip into a robe and spend some quality time with your love.
Support a Small Business!
Instead of going to the grocery store and picking out chocolates and flowers, why not give a gift that shows you put in some thought and effort - all while supporting a small business. Below I’ve gathered up a few amazing brands that you’re bound to love.
Plus, if you’re looking for more gift-giving inspiration you can check out my previous blog, How to Support Small Businesses this Holiday Season.
Anuket Luxury Apothecary
If you had a chance to read my last blog, you already know that I adore Anuket. I was hooked on their brand the very first moment I smelled their signature fragrance, Pure Papyrus Oil. This gender-neutral, woodsy, fresh fragrance oil is absolutely delightful and unique.
You can use it on your skin as a perfume or cologne, diffuse it in your home, wear it on their fragrance-diffusing jewelry, or wear it in your hair/beard by using their self-care products!
The scent is so rare due to the fact that Anuket Luxury Apothecary is one of the only sources of Pure Papyrus Oil in the US - making for a beautifully anomalous gift.
Ella bing Haberdashery
If you’re confused about the name, no worries - I had no idea what a haberdashery was the first time I was introduced to the brand. A haberdasher is a business or person that sells men’s clothing, including suits, shirts, and neckties.
Ella Bing Haberdashery started off small with their signature bow ties and has grown into a gorgeous collection of men’s goods. They’ve got everything for your partner from cotton and silk bow ties to whisky and cigar accessories. Most impressive and unique (in my opinion) are the signature, hand-carved wood bow ties.
Ella Bing is now expanding to include more effeminate products, so be sure to check out this bespoke store online or in-person at Hyde Park Village - they’re welcome to all!
Nikki Visuals
I’d of course like to offer my services to you and your boo! I’ve had a lot of experience doing sessions with couples and would love to make you both feel beautiful. You can check out my work more in depth on the site or on my Instagram, linked below.
![new post on my blog all about spending Valentine's Day at home - I hope you'll give it a read! [link in bio]
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pictured here is a sample of the product photography I did during my internship at Anuket Luxury Apothecary](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c9930c4840b16ed45f02cc6/1644596987624-UUR8AB2T3ML99RL3D1UB/image-asset.jpeg)
Well hey there, thank you for reading this far!
After all that’s been said, I hope you and your partner have a lovely date night at home. If you try any of the recipes or date night ideas, be sure to leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. I’d love to hear from you!
For more content and updates on what I’ve been working on, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
All the best,
Nikki
Founder of Nikki Visuals
