Virtual Valentines fun

(Image courtesy of Unsplash)

9th February 2021

By Amelia Fewings

It’s nearly been a year since the first UK lockdown, meaning that we have nearly celebrated every annual celebration in our homes. Now we are about to celebrate our first (and hopefully last) Valentine’s Day in lockdown. This past year has been such a complicated time to be in a relationship, making tough decisions about being long distance or being stuck in the same room together for months on end. So, this Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate your relationship after such a tough year. Here are a few tips on how to celebrate Valentines virtually!

Food: You could keep it simple and order food from the same restaurant and eat together over video call or test how well you know your partner and deliver a takeaway to their door. If you are looking for something a bit more interactive, then cook your meals from scratch over video call. It is a fun way to try and spend more time together and will hopefully end in some delicious results. If you want some ideas, then check out our ‘Fakeaway series’ for some restaurant food at home inspiration. If you and your partner are already great chefs, you can take your cooking skills to the next level and both join a virtual cooking class. Many chefs are delivering these from their homes, they are cheaper than an in person cooking class and still deliver great results. There are also cocktail making versions of these classes or just attempt to make and create cocktails from home, add some romance by naming the cocktails after things you like about the other person or places you have been.

Movie night:

Watching a film together, even if you are apart, allows you to feel close with each other and there are some great ways to watch films together such as ‘Netflix party’ or ‘Group watch’ for Disney+. If you and your partner like a bit more of an interactive activity, the screen doesn’t need to stop you. There are lots of fun games to play online or both using a device such as a Nintendo switch to play Mario Kart, bringing the classic competitive mini golf date to your homes. If you are a crafty couple, you can deliver the same arts and crafts to do: a painting by numbers, a cross stitch or maybe try scrapbooking pictures of you two together. It’s a fun way to spend the evening rather than just talking, if you wanted to you can make them into gifts for the other person to exchange the next time you are allowed to do so. On a similar theme you could order a box of pamper items, both wearing a facemask and using the same scented candle, allows you to relax in each other’s company and a sense of closeness from being in the same environment. If you want to get to know your partner a bit better, there are lots of board game or online options for questions to ask your partner, some of them fun, some of them a bit deeper. But bringing some fun conversation starters in your video chats might help ease the boredom of lockdown.

This day might be really challenging if you are away from your partner and have been for a while now. Don’t put any pressure on the day, our expectations can be really confusing in such uncertain times. There’s lots of ideas to make it fun and to try and spend time with your partner as best as you can but remember one day you will be able to see them again and celebrate properly. The most important thing is to show how much you care and love for them. This doesn’t have to end on Valentine’s Day either. Sending frequent letters, or gifts and spending time with each other on video call, not just talking, is important to keep your relationship feeling special.