Valentine’s Day is a holiday that some love and others dread. Depending on your relationship status, or the physical distance between you and your partner, your feelings towards the Day of Love might differ. Many singles tire of the reminders that this day brings: all the couples posting their “Valentine” and flaunting their relationship. Some couples thrive in the romantic energy of the holiday, while others view it as a normal day. Long-distance relationships might feel a mixture of both. The painful reminder of the distance between partners is paired with the gratitude and love they have for one another.
Whatever your relationship status may be, there are many ways to enjoy the day. Single, taken, far apart, complicated, friends-with-benefits—everyone can find ways to celebrate this holiday. Although Valentine’s Day is commonly celebrated between two romantic partners, you can also be your own Valentine. Or your Valentine can be a friend, a family member or even a pet. Need some ideas on how to celebrate this year? Here are some suggestions on how to make the most of your Valentine’s Day in 2024.
Singles
Whatever type of single you are, whether it is truly single or if you have an “it’s complicated” situationship, there are many ways you can celebrate Valentine’s Day and enjoy the perks of the holiday!
Spending time with family and friends is a great way to celebrate Valentine’s as a single. You can take your parents out to dinner and thank them for all the years they spent being your Valentine, or host a family dinner and have a nice night in together. Host a “Galentines” party with some friends and have Valentine-themed food and decorations. Your loved ones, both family and friends, can be your Valentine’s—and they make great ones, too!
Be your own Valentine this year and take advantage of YOU! Spoil yourself, take yourself out on a date or even dedicate the entire day to you and your wants/needs. Go to your favorite dinner spot or order take-out and watch your favorite movie. Buy yourself something that you’ve been wanting for a long time but haven’t had a reason to spend the money. Schedule a spa day or go on a long hike. Spend the day taking care of you. Celebrate your self-love journey and commemorate how much you’ve grown in that department.
Long-Distance Relationships
Long-distance relationships are hard, especially on a day like Valentine’s Day. The endless Instagram and Snapchat posts of couples dining together are a painful reminder of the miles between you and your partner. But, the love that you have for each other gets stronger each day you both decide to stay together despite the distance.
Some ways you can make your long-distance partner feel special on Valentine’s Day is through the magical 21st-century service of home delivery. Send your partner flowers, chocolates, their favorite pastries or candies, their favorite meal or even love letters. Better yet, put all these things together and make them a Valentine’s Day basket! Many of these items can be ordered at the tips of your fingers and delivered within hours. Writing them a love letter will add “movie romance” to the day, but make sure to plan ahead if you choose this option! It’ll take some time for your love letter to reach them through the mail. This is a great way to make your partner feel loved and remind them of the love you both share.
Another way you can celebrate Valentine’s with your long-distance partner is through FaceTime or Zoom dates. You and your partner can find a recipe that looks good to you both and plan a virtual cooking date together. You could pair this date with LEGO sets that you can build together while on video chat. You can end your night by watching a movie together while on call. There are many alternatives to these FaceTime date ideas such as doing crafts together or ordering delivery. This is a great way to spend some time together while celebrating the holiday.
In-Person Couples
Celebrate Valentine’s with your Valentine through a quiet night in or a fancy dinner. It doesn’t matter how you celebrate, all that matters is that you are celebrating your relationship authentically.
You can spend the night trying something new or doing something that you both love to do regularly. You know your partner and their wants/needs best, so get them gifts that’ll be meaningful and will make them feel loved. Make your partner a Valentine’s-themed basket with their favorite goodies to show them that you notice and listen to them, as well as appreciate them.
Cook your partner their favorite homemade meal or order a meal in and set up a romantic Valentine’s dinner at home. Go on a hike with your partner and watch the sunset with a pre-packed picnic. Surprise your partner with a getaway trip or a spa day. Actions speak louder than words, so show them how much you love them! It doesn’t need to be expensive or over-the-top, it just should be something meaningful between the two of you.
