Valentine’s Day is creeping around the corner this weekend, and many will be scrambling to put together plans to show their significant others just how much they appreciate their love and support. It’s a holiday celebrated yearly with card bearing, gift giving and a night of passionate sex. But for some, the day just seems cumbersome.
“Why use one day to show your partner you love them?” is a question often posed out of frustration. It seems like a lot for one to go through just to prove his/her love on one particular day, but there are alternatives to celebrating the day of love without excessive financial investment. This Valentine’s Day, take it back to the basics and rediscover what made you fall in love in the first place.
There are several activities any couple can participate in to build intimacy, rekindle old flames or simply enjoy each other without the decadence of the “holiday spirit.” Whether you’re on a budget or simply seeking a way to show your love without major gift giving, here are a few ways to adore and enjoy your beloved this Valentine’s Day and beyond.
1. Netflix and Chill
There’s nothing more cozy than a movie night in with your love. And now, thanks to the power of Netflix, couples have an array of movies right at their fingertips. Take the time out to plan an entire evening with your partner, from the list of movies you’ll watch right down to the food and snacks you’ll bring to the event.
Valentine’s Day-themed treats would be a simple, easy way to bring in the holiday spirit without feeling like you’re “overdoing it.” What will you wear to your “Netflix and Chill” date night in? Will it be cozy PJs or sexy lingerie? The choice is yours!
Make this a fun night to remember. Send the kids off to grandma’s for the evening or find a family member or sitter willing to care for them for the night, and create the ambiance and stress-free environment you deserve. Light a few candles, lay out a few rose petals, create a sexy spread on the dining room table and break out the bubbly. Cuddling on the couch and remaining in close bodily contact builds intimacy, and sharing in each other’s entertainment interests can bring out a side you didn’t expect. It’s more than “just movies” with the possibility of scoring in the bedroom after the end credits. This is a time to connect on a basic level.
2. Romantic Dinner at Home
Restaurants will be packed this Valentine’s Day with couples looking to fill their bellies with their favorite dishes. But instead of waiting 45 minutes to an hour for a table for two, scurry to the kitchen and create your own romantic dinner at home.
With the help of websites like BlueApron.com, a subscription service that provides recipes and ingredients directly to your door, couples can now enjoy preparing gourmet meals together with ease. Even if you’re a master cook, turn the experience into a lesson for your lover and prepare your Valentine’s Day meal together. With each ingredient added, set an intention of love to infuse that emotion in your food, and play off of each other’s lead. This is a fun and easy way to deepen intimacy while preparing something scrumptious.
Grab special placemats for this day, light the candles, create a playlist to play up your background ambiance, and top it all off with the perfect pairing of wine. Leave your electronics in your room, dress your best and enjoy a romantic dinner in the comfort of your home with the one you love.
3. Skype Date + Care Package
Many lovers won’t get the chance to be with each other in the flesh this Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean the day can’t be celebrated. All you need is a bit of creativity and some imagination. Create a sexy care package for your lover and send it off just in time for that special day. Fill the box with things that remind you of why you fell in love in the first place and, of course, fill the box with goodies and treats that follow the theme of the holiday. You can add items to wear, a sexy playlist, candles, sex toys and even pictures of yourself.
This kit goes for both sexes. Each partner can send a box to the other. Make the experience even more intimate by including a card with instructions on how to use the things in the box, and schedule a Skype date to spend a few hours in the day together virtually. This is a fun way for long-distance couples to celebrate the holiday while continuing to build intimacy and closeness. Energy exchange is still happening even when you are communicating via video chat or telephone, so make your lover feel special and create the best Skype date they will never forget.
4. Couple’s Massage
Massage is a therapeutic practice that many overlook as a valid way to maintain overall health. This Valentine’s Day, treat yourself and your partner to a relaxing couple’s massage. Experiencing the relaxing, healing properties of a hot stone or deep tissue massage can help with connecting with self and each other.
There are services that will come to your home and provide the ultimate experience for you and your lover. Just make sure to set the ambiance just as you want it before your therapists come to set up. If scheduling a session outside of the home is your preference, there are several standalone spa services in your area that can accommodate you, as well as hotels that offer couple’s massages in their onsite spas or in-rooms during your stay.
You could consider a spa package and room combo as a staycation, where you and your beloved can spend time away from the home and truly relax in each other’s arms. End the night with a relaxing couple’s soak in a Jacuzzi tub, accompanied with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries—the perfect aphrodisiac pairing.
5. Upgrade Your Bedroom Accessories
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to upgrade your bedroom accessories, and the opportune time to try out new products on the market. Changing up your condom style, vibrator of choice or lubricant can add new life to your sex life. The great thing about these products is, they’re sold over the counter at most local drug stores or superstores like Walmart or Target. Make a sexy field trip out of the experience, head to the store and add some new accessories to your kit. Create a fun schedule for how and when you’ll use your new accessories. Playing in this way can establish trust, deepen intimacy and raise awareness for what’s pleasurable to your partner in ways you may never have imagined.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to break the bank. All it takes is a creative mind and the desire to draw closer to your lover.
Glamazon Tyomi is a freelance writer, model and sex educator with a deeply rooted passion for spreading the message of sex positivity and encouraging the masses to embrace their sexuality. Her website, www.glamerotica101.com, reaches internationally as a source for advice and information for the sexually active/curious. Follow her on Twitter at @glamazontyomi.
