February is here and that means Valentine's Day is just around the corner! With the pandemic still looming and inflation on the rise, you may feel like it's not a good time to head out on the town. There's no need to spend a lot of money, or even leave the apartment, to enjoy a fabulous day with your loved one(s). This year, treat them to a special Valentine's Day at home with these tips.
Give them the spa treatment
Who doesn't like to be pampered once in a while? Treat your Valentine to some seriously special treatment by transforming your apartment into a micro spa. Start with a little aromatherapy by either diffusing some pleasant smelling essential oils in a diffuser or burning some incense. While the aroma sets a calm mood, ask your partner to sit back and relax while you grab some massage oil, or even olive oil, and then offer them a soothing massage. Be sure to brush up on your massage skills with this video ahead of the day. After their massage, take the home spa experience up a notch with one, or some, of these DIY spa treatments you can make easily with everyday ingredients you can find in your kitchen. You could also draw them a candlelit bath and give them a bath bomb or two like this Valentine's Day heart shaped bath bomb from Lush.
Make a special meal
When it comes to what to eat, we don't recommend relying on takeout this Valentine's Day because you may have to wait endlessly to receive it from an overburdened restaurant. Cooking is a great way to show someone that you care about them, and eating good food is always fun. This Valentine's Day, roll up your sleeves and whip up a fabulous and budget-friendly meal for your loved one(s). It doesn't have to be expensive to be great, and these affordable gourmet recipes prove that through and through. You'll find a variety of dishes suitable for different diets (vegetarian, vegan etc.) -- from glazed tofu to cheeseburgers.
Dish out dessert
For many, Valentine's Day is all about dessert. Chocolate is always a good idea for a Valentine’s Day dessert, and there are so many ways to use it in different recipes. If you'd rather not purchase chocolates this year, try your hand at making some from scratch! These truffles come together in just 10 minutes (plus 2 hours of chilling time). Dress them up by rolling them in anything from cocoa powder to sprinkles -- or anything in between. If you have 20 minutes to spare (plus 2 hours chilling time), you can make these pretty and delicious cups of chocolate mousse. They are perfect for sharing with someone you love, or with your whole family! Looking for a healthy treat for you or your kids? These truffles are naturally sweetened with dates and full of fiber.
Set the right mood
Setting the mood is the key to enjoying a delightful Valentine's Day in your apartment. Whether you're planning a romantic evening with your partner, or a fun night with the whole family, we have tips to set the right mood.
For romance, ambiance is key. You need to change up how your apartment normally looks and feels to pull this off. Consider lighting some candles (or using flameless LED candles) to create a soft and warm glow. Be sure to turn any overhead lighting down or off altogether to enjoy the candlelight effect. If you want to encourage cuddling, positioning soft throw blankets and pillows on the couch will make it more comfortable and inviting. A bouquet of flowers, or a vase of them, can enhance a romantic vibe, too. If you're going for whimsical, why not have a living room picnic.
For a fun family night in, start with activities that you can enjoy together such as board games or finger painting. If you'd prefer to sit back and relax together, these family friendly Netflix movies are a great option.
Music can make or break a mood, so match it to the mood you're hoping to set. Create your own Spotify playlist with these tips.
We hope you enjoy Valentine's Day this year, no matter who you spend it with or how.
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