Teach Mom Learn

Oh, Valentine’s Day…it comes every year at the exact same time, and yet somehow, it feels like a surprise when you wake up on February 13th and realize you have no card, no gift, and no plan for the special person in your life.

And during a pandemic with a toddler?

Clearly the days of roses and long, fancy dinners are out the window. Here are some fun, inexpensive, easy ideas to make this Valentine’s Day special, even if you’re celebrating at home after your toddler goes to bed:

Home cook a meal together -browse Pinterest to find something delicious that you’ll both love, pick up the ingredients, and then work together to create it. The meal will most definitely be memorable, and even if it doesn’t turn out the way you’d hoped, you’ll still have the experience of cooking together.

Get takeout from your favorite date night spot -If you’re not into cooking or just don’t feel like dealing with the mess of your latest culinary adventure (trust me, we’re on our 2nd month with no dishwasher, so I get it), send out for your favorite meals from your favorite restaurant.

Having someone else cook for you is a special treat. I also think food is a strong trigger of memory, so your meals will bring back memories of special date nights from your past.

Try a fancy dessert -Valentine’s Day necessitates a fancy dessert. The entire day is about decadence, indulgence, and sugar! You can either make one yourself, throw it in with your takeout order, or go to your favorite local bakery.

Calories don’t count on holidays (in my mind, at least), so get the dessert you’ve been wanting to try for months. Or, if you’re anything like me and my husband, get an assortment so you can put together a little platter to share.

Try a YouTube tutorial together -when was the last time you and your significant other tried something new together? YouTube has tutorials for literally everything you can possibly think of.

Maybe you want to learn how to crochet, or paint a watercolor, or make sushi. YouTube has you covered. Plus, trying something new gets you out of your usual routine, and it’s nice to struggle through something fun while you learn together.

Go for a walk -I know I just recommended this for you and your toddler in last week’s self-care post, but getting outdoors is the perfect date idea too. Basically, getting outside is the answer to everything.

Try a walk by the beach or in your neighborhood, even if it’s cold, or do some window shopping at the local outdoor mall. Bring some hot coffees from your favorite coffee shop and do your best to stay in the moment and take in the beautiful sights around you.

Turn your living room into a movie theater -turn down the lights, pop some popcorn, grab your favorite snacks, and curl up in front of the biggest TV in your house for some movie time. Bonus points if you have a popcorn popper at home!

Play some board games (with stakes) -board games are always so much, and there are plenty that are perfect for 2 people. Trouble, Sorry, Life, Bananagrams, Scrabble, and many other classics work well.

In case you’re interested in something completely new, The Strategist section of New York Magazine released a list of the 36 Best Two-Player Board Games that is definitely worth looking into.

If you’d like to make your game night more interesting, I’d recommend making a wager. Maybe loser does the dishes? Or winner gets the last dessert from your platter? A little competition is always a good idea!

Invent a new drink (or at least try a new recipe) -One of the things I miss most about eating at restaurants (other than the bread) is the signature cocktail menu. There’s something about sitting in a cozy booth, sipping something new and delicious that elevated the experience of going out to dinner into something more special.

Since many of us will not be going out to eat this Valentine’s Day, now is a perfect time to try to recreate that favorite cocktail in your home. So break out that cocktail shaker and the fancy glasses you registered for and test them out. If you’re super creative, you can always invent your own signature drink.

And if drinking isn’t your thing, take advantage of the opportunity to test out a new mocktail. If you need ideas, my grandmother’s classic non-alcoholic punch consisted of lemon-lime soda and sherbet. It sounds strange, but it’s so delicious! And if you add some pureed strawberries, it’s even better.

Get dressed up -I don’t know about you, but I haven’t done my hair or worn makeup other than mascara since Christmas. Even if you’re not leaving your house, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to get dressed up because it makes the night a bit more special.

Wear the dress that’s been living in your closet waiting for an excuse to be worn. Take 20 minutes to do your hair and makeup. You deserve to feel beautiful.

Get cozy -On the flip side, if you’re someone who has to dress up every day for work, a break from that might be exactly what you need. In that case, grab the softest blankets in the house, put on your comfiest loungewear, and enjoy your time together.

There’s so much to be said for being so comfortable together that you don’t even need to try to impress each other, so revel in that.

Dance -Without the usual summer weddings, I would be willing to bet that most people have not danced with their significant others in a long time. I know I certainly haven’t, unless you count dancing with Rae.

This Valentine’s Day, make a playlist of the songs that remind you of your significant other, turn down the lights a bit, and dance together. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, and even if you feel super cheesy doing it, enjoy the moment and the feeling of being in each other’s arms.

Have a picnic -This was actually our favorite family activity this fall. We would grab take out from a local restaurant (or, very often, an ice cream shop), stop by one of the local parks, and enjoy a nice treat together outside.

We even found new spots in seemingly busy areas, such as what is basically the backyard of the bank in the center of a nearby town. Rae could run wild, because there was literally no one else around, and we could relax, eat, and watch her have fun.

Even though this could easily be a parents-only activity with the help of a baby-sitter from your bubble, I’d recommend bringing your little one. You could get takeout or plan ahead and pack a lovely picnic lunch with thermoses of hot chocolate or coffee. And if you live somewhere freezing like we do, it may be worth bringing along a battery-operated heated blanket.

Try an art project -Remember before the pandemic when paint bars were the perfect spot for a date night? With some acrylic paints and brushes, you can have a perfect paint night at home. You can use canvas if you have it, but a piece of paper taped to cardboard also works well.

There are wonderful tutorials on YouTube, and Pinterest has tons of ideas for a couple’s painting. Many options are extremely simple, so there are often no prerequisite skills needed.

If you’re totally new to painting, just remember to paint the background first and to let your layers dry in between adding elements.

Make a homemade card -Every Valentine’s Day, anniversary, and birthday, Tom and I take cheap, store-bought cards and enhance them with drawings. He often gives me cards from Rosie, and last year, I gave him a piece of paper with Rae’s first scribble on it.

These cards are so special and honestly, more memorable than most of the gifts we’ve give each other over the years. Dollar Tree and Trader Joe’s have great, inexpensive cards, so pick one up and go all out decorating it.

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? I’d love to hear from you!