10 Valentine's ideas you haven't thought of
Whether this is your first or your fortieth Valentine’s Day together, you both deserve a special treat. So this year, ditch the obvious flowers and a restaurant meal, in favour of something a little more quirky. Here are 9 ideas for actvities to get your teeth into, plus some ideas for gifts!
1. Do karaoke
Why not book you and your beloved an hour or two in a private karaoke booth? Warm up with a cheesy duet: we’re thinking Endless Love by Ritchie and Ross, or The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing. If your local karaoke club doesn’t provide a prop box (blow-up guitars, wigs and false tashes) you could always supply your own. Oh, and remember, everyone sounds better after a few glasses of saké!
2. Go to supper club
Supper club is no ordinary meal out. These unofficial restaurants - hosted in someone’s home or other unusual venue - are intimate, bring-your-own-bottle affairs. Guests make a ‘minimum donation’ for their evening and book in advance, usually via a blog. While you won’t score a table for two (guests are usually seated around one big table), the food will be great, the company interesting and your date impressed. Search online to find your nearest hosts.
3. Rent a hot tub
No longer the preserve of swanky hotels and gangsta rappers, these days anyone can hire a hot tub at a reasonable fee and without much hassle. There are lots of companies that will deliver and set up a hot tub in your garden for a couple of days’ hire. All that’s left for you to do is supply the candles, champagne and sweet, sweet music.
4. Have a silent disco
If you and your Valentine love dancing, but don’t want to spend 14th February in a hot, sweaty club, then make a silent disco at home! Clear space for the dancefloor in your living room, set up a bar in the kitchen and a chill-out room in the boudoir. Create three playlists on your MP3 players to match the mood of each room, then dress up as if you were ‘going out out’, plug in your headphones and dance!
5. Try couple's yoga
Get closer to your partner and strengthen your connection with couple's yoga. Yoga with a partner feels good and allows you to stretch more deeply than you would working out on your own. You’ll need to communicate with one another and work out what feels good for both of you; it’s also intimate, sensual and often hilarious. A perfect alternative Valentine’s Day treat.
6. Hire a chef
If you want to wow your lover with fine food at home, but don’t want to spend the whole of Valentine’s evening slaving over the stove, then hire a chef to do it for you. Private chefs will plan, shop, prepare and cook your meal from scratch in your own kitchen, while a waiter will dress your table, pour the wine, serve your food and clear up afterwards. The service doesn’t come cheap, but think what you'll save on taxis and babysitters!
7. Watch the sunrise
Why not set your alarm crazy early and watch the sunrise together? It will be a beautiful, romantic (freezing cold!) experience. Pick a good spot, like a hill, beach or even a city rooftop. Pack a couple of warm, luxurious blankets to snuggle under together, a thermos of hot coffee and some croissants. You can always go back to bed to warm up afterwards.
8. Go on a massage course
If you love giving massages but never get them back, or wish you knew what you were doing with your hands, then try a couple's massage course. With a full- or half-day course you’ll learn how to give each other a simple yet wonderful massage. And once you’ve got the knack, you’ll each have a personal masseur on tap. This truly is the gift that keeps on giving!
9. Have a teen date
Relive the excitement of young love with a teen date (without the braces and awkward silences). Fuel up on sweets and soda and let the sugar rush take you down memory lane. Hit the video arcades for some friendly competition and the photo booth for an old-skool record of your day together. Finish off in the back row of the cinema, smooching obligatory!
10. Have an indoor picnic
February probably isn't the time to be basking in the sunshine in a park, but why should all the fun of picnics be limited to just the summer months? Spread a blanket on the floor, and prepare some of your other half's favourite snacks.
Image source 1: Air Images. Image source 2: Minerva Studio Image source 3: suravid Image source 4: EpicStockMedia
Valentine's gift ideas
As well as coming up with some fun ideas for quirky Valentine's dates, make sure you take a look at our Valentine's Gift ideas.
Love trinket tray
Love heart trinket tray, £3.95
And for the perfect finishing touch...
