Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, which means grocery aisles are crammed with chocolates, florists are swamped with bouquet orders, and lovers everywhere are scurrying to plan the perfect romantic gesture. Amidst all the chaos, Valentine’s Day always arrives too fast and disappears just as quickly. So this year, I’m making a real effort to savor it by celebrating the weeks leading up to it, not just on the day itself. Here are 14 of my favorite ways to get in the Valentine’s mood.
1. Create handmade Valentine’s cards for all your friends.
Nothing says “I love you” quite like a handmade Valentine’s card. DIY-ing cards is a thoughtful way to show loved ones how much you care and provides you a relaxing escape from school chaos. If you need a good starting point, Pinterest has endless inspiration for card design. Grab your cardstock, markers, and paint, then get crafting!
2. Plan a Valentine’s/Galentine’s meal.
Whether it be a potluck-style dinner with your gals, a romantic table-for-two dinner at your favorite restaurant, or an order-McDonald’s-and-binge-watch-rom-coms type of night, celebrating love with a delicious meal is the perfect way to spend the holiday. For those of you planning to go out to a restaurant, don’t forget to book a reservation early! Valentine’s Day is the second busiest day of the year for restaurants—coming in just behind Mother’s Day—so it’s a good idea to get ahead on your plans.
3. Taste test Trader Joe’s Valentine’s snacks.
Trader Joe’s always releases themed treats around the holidays, and Valentine’s Day has some of the best. Some of the most popular goodies include Milk Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Hearts, Gummy X’s and O’s, Heart-Shaped Macarons, and Raspberry Mousse Cakes.
4. Decorate your home.
In order to feel the Valentine’s spirit, you need your home to reflect it. One fun DIY to try is heart-shaped paper chains—all you need is paper, scissors, and tape. They’re pretty cheap to make, yet can totally transform the atmosphere of a room.
5. Arrange a thong exchange.
If you haven’t seen this trend on TikTok, let me be the first to introduce you! Grab a group of friends, and have everyone buy a cute (or hilariously scandalous) pair of underwear, then get together for the big exchange! You can do it secret Santa-style, where each person is randomly assigned someone to shop for, or go the white elephant route, where everyone brings a pair and follows the classic stealing rules to score their favorite! (Tip: If you choose white elephant, be sure to coordinate ahead of time so there’s a good mix of sizes for everyone.)
6. Get your nails done.
Getting your nails painted this Valentine’s is the perfect way to carry the spirit with you everywhere you go. Pink and red are classic holiday colors that will look pretty all month. Make an appointment with your local salon, reach out to that nail artist person you know, or simply paint them yourself. Once again, Pinterest is your best friend for finding design inspo.
7. Make a bouquet.
Pick out a variety of flowers from your local floral market or grocery store (Trader Joe’s has cheap ones!) and assemble them into a pretty bouquet. Give your finished product as a gift to a loved one, or arrange it in a nice vase to decorate and bring life to your living space.
8. Host a cupcake decorating night.
This is the perfect activity for a social gathering. Bake your favorite flavor of cupcakes, then set out tubs of frosting, sprinkles, and plastic knives for a fun (and only slightly messy) evening!
9. Curate a romantic playlist.
Put together a playlist with your favorite love songs, and then play it throughout the day to romanticize the mundane moments. My all-time favorite love songs are “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra, “Need You Now” by Lady A, “No One” by Alicia Keys, and “Love Story” by Taylor Swift.
10. Watch a rom-com.
Is it even Valentine’s Day without a cheesy rom-com? Watching them boosts oxytocin—the “love hormone”—in your brain, making for a perfect way to create joy and comfort this Valentine’s season. Some of my favorites include When Harry Met Sally, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Serendipity, and Notting Hill.
11. Make heart-shaped pizzas.
You can buy premade dough at the grocery store, or if you’re feeling ambitious, make your own from scratch. Roll out your dough and shape it into a heart, then top with marinara sauce, cheese, and as many toppings as your heart desires. Pop it in the oven and bake. Finally, admire your beautiful creation…and then dig in to test your culinary skills!
12. Make chocolate-covered strawberries.
Chocolate-covered strawberries are a classic Valentine’s Day treat. You can buy colored candy melts at the grocery store for a fun, festive chocolate coating. Or, if you have chocolate chips and coconut oil lying around, melt them together in the microwave for a rich, homemade dipping sauce. Dip your freshly washed and dried strawberries into the chocolate coating, top with sprinkles, crushed nuts, or coconut flakes, then let them rest on parchment paper until the chocolate has set. Then enjoy!
13. Send virtual cards to St. Jude patients.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital allows you to send free Valentine’s messages to patients through its website! This is a great way to spread love this season. You can dedicate your support to the kids receiving treatment at St. Jude by picking out a virtual card, selecting a pre-written message (or writing your own) and signing it with your name.
14. Make or Buy Custom Gifts For Your S/O.
If you’re anything like me, you love gift giving. I tend to splurge for Christmas and birthdays, but for me, Valentine’s Day is all about showing you care rather than spending big. Here are some ideas that won’t break the bank, but will still make your partner’s Valentine’s Day special:
- Scrapbook or photo album (Tip: use Canva to design and print!)
- Jar of handwritten love notes
- Couples coupons: redeem for different date activities
- Handmade clothing or accessories
- Knitted blanket
- Baked goods (banana bread is always a win!)
- Drawing of your first date location
- Framed picture
- Custom gift from Shutterfly (mugs, decks of cards, calendars, puzzles, pillows, you name it!)
There you have it! Fourteen ways to celebrate February 14th. Pick your favorites and make this Valentine’s season unforgettable.