Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Have you decided how you are going to celebrate with the one that you love? With limited hours and capacity, restaurant reservations can be a little scarce again this year. You might need to get a little creative. This is the time to channel your "inner cupid" and show your Valentine how much you love them in a new and unexpected way. Lucky for you, you have a real-life Matchmaker to help guide your way. Here are my 14 tips for a Valentine's Day "date night" at home that you are sure to remember.
1) Have a living room picnic. Lay some comfy pillows and blankets on the floor, pack a picnic basket full of goodies and a bottle of wine, and have a picnic while watching your favorite Rom-Com. Finger foods are great for this so that you can snuggle up together.
2) Make a fancy 5 course meal together. Set the table as you would see it at an upscale restaurant, complete with linens, flowers, and candles. Dress up in your finest attire. Take turns serving a course to each other. Play romantic music. Turn off your phones, and give each other your complete and full attention.
3) Be a kid again. Wear your PJ's and color in coloring books. Make some heart shaped sugar cookies ahead of time, and then decorate them together. Be creative. Use provocative wording. Get sexy. Let your playful side come out, and see where it takes you.
4) Wine and chocolate tasting. Get a few bottles of wine and a variety of good chocolates, and have a tasting. There are some great virtual wine and chocolate tastings that you can follow along with that come complete with wine and chocolate, or you can make up your own.
5) Write each other a love letter or poem and read it aloud to your partner. There is nothing more romantic than being vulnerable and speaking from your heart. You can even get super creative and use scroll paper, a quill pen and ink. Embrace your inner Victorian-era poet. There is no need to be perfect here; just speak from the heart.
6) Read to each other. If writing is not your thing, then you can read poetry to each other. Find a poem that represents how you feel, and read it to your partner. You can also read excerpts from a book if poetry is not your jam.
7) Do a backyard movie night. Set up a screen in your backyard, and play your favorite movie. Bonus points if you have a convertible that you can drive up to your backyard. If not, then bring out an air mattress or chairs. Pop some popcorn, and bring your favorite boxes of movie candy. Make out for hours, and just enjoy the time together.
8) Chill together in a hammock and stargaze. Put on some comfy clothes, turn on some music, and just chill together in a hammock. Tiki torches or white twinkle lights would be a nice added touch. Bring some binoculars to peep some stars. Bonus points if you can point out some constellations.
9) Recreate your favorite vacation. Is there a special place that you traveled to together, maybe on your honeymoon perhaps? Make your favorite dinner that you had together there. Turn your dining room into a mini pop-up version of your vacation, complete with decor, music, and scents from your time there. You can even pull out your favorite photos from your trip and frame a few of them for around the table.
10) Go glamping. Set up a sexy tent in your living room or backyard. String white lights around it. Add some big comfy pillows and layers of soft blankets. Make s'mores by the fire. Drink hot chocolate. Relax into each other's arms.
11) Have a spa night. Set up a massage table in your bedroom, and take turns giving each other massages. Give each other facials. Shower together while trying some new sugar scrubs. Take a long bubble bath with candles. Play soothing music. Light scented candles or diffuse essential oils. Take the time to slow down and enjoy the moment.
12) Take a virtual tour through some of the museums and sites in Paris or Venice. There are many virtual tours available online of various museums and landmarks around the world. Make a charcuterie board complete with warm bread and olives to nibble on while you tour together. You can even do a dessert board as well with various fruits and chocolates.
13) Have a fondue night. Fondue has come back from the 80's, and it is super sexy once again. Have a cheese version for dinner with various meats, veggies, and breads, and then follow it up with a chocolate dessert version for when you are snuggling together on the couch watching a movie. Take turns feeding each other. You can even blindfold each other to surprise your partner with various flavors.
14) Have a sexy game night. Play strip poker or naked twister. You can pretty much pick any game and give it a sassy twist. Play hide and seek with a trail of clothes as breadcrumbs. Get creative. Take turns picking a game, and just go with it. Have fun being spontaneous and ridiculous.
These are just a few of my indoor date ideas to make your Valentine's Day with your lover special. Be sure to follow me on Instagram @mondaymorningswithamatchmaker to get some more ideas as I countdown the days until Valentine's Day. Also, please remember that you can follow these tips anytime of the year. You don't have to wait for a holiday to be creative and playful. Show your sexy side all year long. Random Tuesdays are just as fun. Be present with your partner. Take this time to communicate and get to know each other even better.
If you are a single Valentine this year, no worries. You can modify any of the above tips for a solo version. Showing yourself some love can be just as sexy. Be you. Embrace your sensual side. Be the love that you wish to receive. I will have my cupid's arrow pointed towards you.
Sending you lots of love and Valentine's kisses.
XOXO,
Matchmaker Lisa Maria
