Love is in the air. You may not be a fan of this day, quite frankly I am not, but there is at least half the population that loves this holiday. Whatever reason you love this holiday, I hope you don’t let the pandemic slow you down and just adjust to the times. No matter how you want to show love (shopping, taking photos with animals, or throwing axes) we’ve got you covered. Whether you are celebrating Valentine’s Day with your significant other or celebrating it Galentine’s style, these are great ideas to celebrate February 14!

Stay at Home Date Night Ideas

Have a Movie Night and Make a Snack Bar

Pick a list of your top movies and have a movie night. You can pick romance or comedy movie pick or make it an action or horror movie, whatever you are in the mood for. You could also create a snack bar full of all your favorite snacks. Try this popcorn maker, or this frozen yoghurt and ice cream maker an extra treat. 

Make Dinner and Dessert Together

Create a yummy menu together and cook it together with your favorite drink of choice! I love cooking in the kitchen together with my husband. Then have a romantic table setting and eat by candle light!

Have a Game Night

We are very competitive, so game night can get a little testy. Pull out your favorite board games or puzzles for a good old fashion game night. Our favorites are:

• Cards Against Humanity – Galentine’s Day perfect material right here for getting your girlfriends together. There are so many different decks you can play with and this offers some great laughs.
• Ticket to Ride
• Battleship
• Bananagrams
• Catan – during lockdown last March, Catan released instructions to make their game two players! You can find it here.
• Scrabble
• Taco vs Burrito – This game is new, and was actually created by a 7 year old, but surprisingly fun for adults too!

Play “Would You Rather” 

This could be a very dangerous idea, but…Play a game to get to know each other better like, “would you rather.” Or, a game like this one or this one. 

Craft a New Cocktail or Do Some Wine Tasting

Create a signature cocktail together, find an online cocktail making class, or chose your favorite drinking and host a tasting night! You could make a fun cheese and charcuterie board to go along with it. This doubles as a great couples activity as well as a great Galentine’s activity. Create your own Valentine’s Day inspired drink and come up with a fun name!

Have an Outdoor Picnic or Movie

Get all your blankets, cushions, and fairy lights to have an outdoor evening picnic! Try this movie projector that can be used outdoors, to watch a movie out there too! 

Have a Fondue Night

Nothing says Valentine’s Day in my eyes better than fondue. Buy a fondue kit like this one and have a yummy fondue night! 

Have a Spa Night

Pull up YouTube and learn to give each other massages, or buy your favorite face masks and lotion and have a spa night! Neom is an amazing brand and their products would be perfect for a spa night. For Galentine’s Day, you know this is a must with a face mask and some robes being worn with cucumbers on the eyes.

Stargaze 

There is nothing more romantic than going out into the dark with a blanket to lie down and watch the stars. Y’all I live out in the middle of Raleigh and I love to sit outside and stare at the stars on a clear night, quite honestly chilly nights are the best when you can wrap a blanket around you. This is a great thing to do whether you are celebrating by yourself or with your significant other. There are also so many apps that will tell you which stars and planets are where in the sky!

Have a Craft Night

Have you ever fancied making your own beer, or your own candles? You could make it a joint effort, and do a new craft with your significant other. Here is a great beer making starter kit!

Have an Evening Inspired for Another Country

I know I am not the only one itching to travel right now so this is for all the travelers stuck at home. Have you always dreamed of going to Italy? Cook up your favorite Italian food, and drink your favorite Italian wine! Or, Japan? Order some sushi, and buy a bottle of Sake to drink! Bonus points for listening to music from that country too, or speaking their language!

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If You Are In Raleigh…

Galentine’s Day

FEB 11 | 6PM–8PM
? 102 Pheasant Wood Ct

Check out this special Women on the Wall event! Grab your friends and get ready to climb at Triangle Rock Club. This event is fun for everyone whether you’re an avid climber or if this is your first time! After your climb grab some waffles and a mimosa while you cool down from crushing it on the wall.

Mardi Gras at the Garden

FEB 13 | 12PM–5PM
? 614 Glenwood Ave

Celebrate Mardi Gras in style at Raleigh Beer Garden. No Mardi Gras celebration is complete without a fun mask (in addition to your COVID mask) and a King Cake. Find the baby in the King Cake and win a prize! And if you forget your beads, don’t worry just yell “Hey Mister, throw me some beads!” and we’re sure someone will toss you some purple, green, or gold beads to complete your Mardi Gras look!

Valentine’s with Goats

FEB 14 | 10AM–6PM
? 5306 Homer Ruffin Rd

Spend your Valentine’s Day receiving endless cuddles and snuggles from some of the most adorable animals around. Spring Haven Farm is home to cows, pigs, and of course baby goats. Snap some photos with the animals or at the photo spots before grabbing snacks and hot cocoa at the Concessions Barn. 

Sip and Shop

FEB 12 | 6PM–8PM
? 153 White St

Come spend the evening shopping from vendors selling everything from soap and bath bombs to clothing to cheese! This event is perfect for finding that perfect Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day present or for treating yourself to a little self love.

Valentine’s Day at Urban Axes

FEB 12 | 11AM–8PM
? 619 Foster St

Nothing says romance like a little healthy competition. Start the evening off with a complimentary pair of drinks for you and your partner to get you ready to throw. Try your hand at axe throwing in your own personal lane while snacking on some tasty chocolates! Bring along another couple (or two) to see which pair dominates the bullseye!

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How are y’all spending Valentine’s Day? Are you celebrating Galentine’s Day instead? As always, thank y’all for stopping by and reading. I will see y’all back here next time.

Love, Dani