Whether you’re a fan of Valentine’s Day or not – we can all agree that this year, the 14th of February will be unlike any previous year and we will all be spending it locked down nationally – whether we’re “locked down” romantically or not is irrelevant!
If you’re struggling for lockdown Valentine’s ideas – let us help you! Read on for our suggestions…
Lockdown Date Ideas:
Cocktail making night
Why not go on a romantic (but also essential) trip to the supermarket (one at a time where possible) and make sure to pick up the ingredients for cocktails and spend the evening taking part in an at home cocktail masterclass! There are loads of tutorials to follow on YouTube – like this one here. Although remember to drink responsibly – 10 easy cocktails in 10 minutes may end your Valentine’s Day evening prematurely! If you like this idea and you don’t already have one of these – perhaps best to grab one via Amazon Prime pronto!
Indulge in an at-home spa session
Missing your trips to Virgin’s Heaven V spa here at Blythe? Because we definitely are – and I think we’re all getting desperate for a spa trip after an exhausting year! Why not recreate a relaxing spa session at home? You can do this with a partner, with a pal or even as some well-deserved self-care regardless! Why not run yourself or partner a hot bath, throw in a funky bath bomb, light some candles, stick on the chillest Spotify playlist and lather on a hair and face mask – basically be indulgent!
Valentine’s meal at home
Even if we can’t go out for food, local businesses are adapting as best as they can to provide us with delicious meals via delivery and click and collect. Head to the Mell Square shopping centre website here for ideas and meal inspo from retailers in Mell Square!
For a Valentine’s morning coffee fix or sweet treat, Java Roastery at Blythe may be closed due to lockdown restrictions, but their Moseley and Colmore Row locations are still open for click and collect if you’re local to those branches!
Valentine’s Gifts
You could keep Valentine’s really low key and low budget and make something home made! Like a card or even go retro and make a mix tape – Monica and Chandler vibes! Or if you can’t go that retro, make a playlist for your partner or friend, full of songs that remind you of them, or remind you of happier pre-lockdown times!
If you’d prefer to stick to more traditional gifts – check out Mell Square’s blog for gift ideas from retailers there. Retailers like Wishes and Kisses and Liv’s have online shops but Boots is open – perfume/aftershave is always a winner and you can pick it up alongside your essentials! Check out their blog here.
If you wanted to take the coffee obsession one step further for you and/or your significant other, Java have an online store that can be found here where you can buy coffee beans, gift boxes and home brew equipment – just a couple of niche gift suggestions for the coffee lover in your life (even if that lover is yourself)!
If separated from your partner or pal… Virtual date night!
You could start the day by going for a socially distanced walk in your local park with your partner or pal (remember to comply with government guidelines – basically don’t try to meet at Barnard Castle)– get those steps in before the virtual date night indulgence!
Get home, put on your favourite date night outfit, jeans and a nice top, or just some super comfy loungewear – you decide! Then settle down for your Zoom date/Facetime. Why not order your favourite take-away to support your local independent food scene and eat it at the same time for the full effect – both make sure to pick up your beverage of choice for the evening too! You could follow this with a movie night – and watch the same film at the same time using Teleparty (the browser extension previously called Netflix party).
Love it or loathe it – we think it’s important to make the most of the small pockets of hope and happiness– and to show ourselves and each other love whenever and however we can.
