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While we may not be able to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the usual way this year, it doesn’t mean we have to put the celebrations on hold altogether – there are plenty of ways to make the day feel special from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’ll be spending the day with your significant other, marking the occasion at home with a housemate (AKA ‘palentine’) or pampering yourself, we've put together a few ideas to help make Valentine’s Day 2021 extra memorable.
The most romantic day of the year gives you the perfect excuse to go all out with everything pink and red – from your outfit to your wine, to your dinnerware!
Choose some lovely scented candles and tealights, along with gorgeous fresh flowers. As well as making a sweet Valentine’s Day gesture, beautiful blooms are a classy nod to the occasion and don’t just have to be displayed in vases – scatter individual stems across the table, make a centrepiece or place singular buds in small jars. Flowers are guaranteed to evoke happy thoughts, so go wild!
If you’re missing regular brunch dates, then bring the weekend ritual to your home this Valentine’s Day and kick things off with a hearty meal to start the celebrations. A small gesture like breakfast in bed is guaranteed to bring all the feels, especially when you take it to the next level. Think of something a little different from your regular toast or cereal and try something out of the ordinary. Go the extra mile with thoughtful details like heart-shaped food, or adding some plate decoration!
This Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Mak Kimchi recipe from Le Creuset is a surefire winner and will score some serious brownie points from the one you love – find the full recipe here.
As well as a strong cup of coffee, why not whip up a Bloody Mary or pour a glass of fizz, and serve it all up alongside their favourite newspaper or magazine to upgrade the occasion?
We may not be able to take our lunch to the park right now – so bring the park to you! Lay out your picnic blanket on the living room floor and put on a delicious spread of finger food – make sure to transport it in a picnic basket, even if it’s just a metre distance from the kitchen to the lounge. Every little detail counts. Include all the staples, like hummus and crudités, cheeses, crisps, salads and sandwiches.
Or... you could cheat and order a Nando's chicken or vegan PERi-PERi wrap for delivery, with all the trimmings: houmous and pitta with PERi-PERi drizzle, sweet potato wedges and spicey nuts. Leaving you more time to spend together! Plus, you won’t have to worry about checking the weather forecast.
Just because we can’t go anywhere fun, doesn’t mean the fun can’t be brought to us! Make the day extra entertaining and sign up to a virtual activity – think an online cooking tutorial, life drawing class or even a fun dance class. If you’re feeling boozy, then a virtual cocktail-making class or wine tasting will make the day really special – and you get to immediately enjoy the fruits of your labour too.
Or you could book something to look forward to! Odeon offers gift vouchers that can be redeemed after lockdown ends. Knowing that you've got a big screen film – and of course snacks and drinks – in the bag is bound to bring a big smile to you both. A cinema date is THE classic date for good reason! Find out more about Odean gift vouchers >>
Sweets for my sweet, as the saying goes... If you're no Mary Berry in the kitchen, but want to surprise your Valentine with an indulgent treat, you can still don your chef’s hat and opt for something a little simpler. When all else fails, there’s fruit and chocolate. Simply melt down a bar of the good stuff, cube up your favourite fruit, slide onto a skewer and get dipping! From mango to strawberries, banana and apple – everything tastes better dunked in chocolate.
Or if you're feeling a little more adventurous, Le Creuset has shared a delicious and easy-to-follow Chocolate Cake with Raspberries recipe (featuring a romantic touch!).
Bring your favourite restaurant to you and treat yourselves to a delicious takeaway. Whether you love spicy food or you fancy trying some vegan delicacies, there are tons of options available at The Galleria. If you're in the mood for Italian, Prezzo's Posh Pepperoni (spicy pepperoni, Calabrese sausage and prosciutto) is perfect for a special treat! Not forgetting Pizza Express favourite the Padana (pictured), starring a winning combination of goat’s cheese and mozzarella with caramelised onion.
Burger and fries more your style? Burger King and McDonald's are also avaiable for delivery. And when only Nandos will do, you're in luck – they're on Deliveroo, too! See our full list of restaurants offering takeaways and delivery >>
If your daily stroll is old news by now, why not mix things up a little and make your garden into a romantic outdoor escape? Grab some cosy blankets, set the mood with some outdoor fairy lights, lanterns or even a firepit, and bring out a bottle of wine or some hot chocolate – you could even toast some marshmallows! If it’s a clear night, stargazing will be the cherry on top of a perfect Valentine’s Day.
We know, we know… every night has been movie night recently, but hear us out. Take the experience to the next level and have a movie marathon of all of your favourite films from over the years. Bundle tons of pillows, cushions and quilts to create a cosy floor-bed, drape fairy lights all over the room, and get cosy. Prepare the snacks in advance – think sweets, chocolate, and homemade popcorn.
If you want to upgrade your home cinema system for the occasion, CEX are offering a click and collect service during lockdown! Find out more >>
