19 Ideas for Valentine’s Day Decor, Date Nights, and More (2024)

Valentine's Day presents the perfect opportunity to show your loved ones just how much you care about them. Whether you're spending the day with your best gals or celebrating with a significant other, make it extra special with tasty homemade treats, creative activities, and thoughtful personalized gifts.

You don't have to wait until dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day—start the day on a sweet note with a delicious brunch complete with a bubbly co*cktail and scrumptious desserts. And whether you're in the mood to get all dressed up for dinner out on the town, or you'd rather cozy up at home with a wine night, we've got you covered with the best ideas for Valentine's Day.

1. Decorate with Valentine's Day Decor

Make the day extra special for your loved ones by placing Valentine's Day decor around your home. In the bathroom, hang Valentine's-themed hand towels, decorate the vanity with a small arrangement of romantic flowers, and light a scented candle. Add a few festive pink throw pillows and a snuggly blanket to the living room sofa, and adorn the dining table with taper candles and an elegant floral arrangement.

2. Host a Valentine's Day Brunch

Don't wait until dinner to show your sweetheart or your girlfriends how much you care about them. Celebrate all day, starting with a festive Valentine's Day brunch. Put together a menu of sweet and savory dishes, and don't forget a special bubbly co*cktail for the occasion. Put a heart-theme spin on brunch staples and use a cookie cutter to make heart-shaped toast, omelettes, and more.

3. Sign Up for a Cooking Class

Instead of a regular date night at a restaurant, switch things up and sign up for a cooking class for two. Learn how to cook a fabulous meal and enjoy a new shared experience with your significant other. Many high-end retailers of kitchen goods offer a variety of professional cooking classes that range from learning how to make homemade pasta to trying your hand at classic French pastry. Best of all, you and your sweetheart can enjoy the finished product together and maybe even discover a new shared passion.

4. Send Valentine's Day Cards

Old-fashioned snail mail will never go out of style, and your friends and family will love finding a DIY Valentine in their mailbox. Get the craft supplies out and make handmade Valentine's Day cards for friends and family. Pop them in red envelopes along with some fun heart day confetti to let your loved ones know they're in your heart.

5. Have a Movie Night In

Stay in and snuggle up with a cozy movie night in. Pick your favorite rom-com or recreate a past date night by rewatching a movie you went out to see together. No movie night is complete without popcorn, and to give the salty snack a Valentine's worthy upgrade, try TikTok's viral lemon sea salt version or add some grated parmesan cheese and savory herbs for an Italian twist.

6. Host a Wine Tasting

Host a wine tasting party, asking each guest to bring a different bottle of wine. Assign a wine to each guest, either by type or region of the world, and create a wine tasting menu to go with it. The right food pairings will enhance the taste of the wine, so once you know what everyone's bringing plan the menu accordingly. Include a variety of savory, spicy, and sweet items, and make sure you have enough drinking glasses, corkscrews, and co*cktail napkins.

7. Make Valentine's Day Desserts

Skip the box of chocolates and make a Valentine's Day dessert (or two!) instead. It wouldn't be February 14th without indulging in a luxurious dessert, whether it's a show-stopping chocolate cake or a light and fruity strawberry shortcake. If baking is not your thing, opt for an easier but equally as tasty treat such as chocolate-covered strawberries adorned with festive sprinkles, nuts, or freeze-dried fruit.

8. Make Heart-Shape Pancakes

Whip up a stack of heart-shaped pancakes for the sweetest way to start Valentine's Day. Make your favorite pancake batter and either freehand the heart shapes or use a batter dispenser or a silicone mold. To make the pancakes extra festive, add pink food coloring and holiday-themed pink, white, and red sprinkles.

9. Try a New Restaurant

Branch out and enjoy a special Valentine's date night at a new restaurant. Look for any new restaurants that have recently opened in your area, or finally make reservations at one of your restaurant bucket list places. Try a cuisine you've never had before or relive a special vacation with food from your favorite travel destination.

10. Host a Galentine's Day Party

Gather your best gal pals for a Galentine's Day celebration y of friendship. Get active and plan a hike that ends with a spectacular view where you can get a framer-worthy pic with your favorite pals, or treat your girlfriends to a relaxing at-home spa night complete with scrumptious desserts and lots of bubbly.

11. Deliver Homemade Treats

Make someone's day with a delivery of homemade treats. For the price of a store-bought Valentine's Day box of chocolates, you can make a whole batch of heart-shaped cookies or red velvet cupcakes to tell someone just how much you care. Package the treats in fun decorative boxes or tins for an extra festive delivery.

12. Plan a Staycation

You don't need to hop on a plane to enjoy a romantic getaway. Play tourist in your own city and stay at a beautiful local hotel. Enjoy room service, a relaxing afternoon at the hotel spa, and end the night with dinner and drinks.

13. Build Your Own Floral Arrangement

Grab a few bouquets of grocery store flowers and make your own Valentine's floral arrangement. Pick a pretty vessel such as a decorative vase or a pitcher, and create a grid on the opening using tape. Fill the outer area with greenery and filler flowers, then arrange larger, fuller blooms in the center for a beautifully luscious and professional-looking arrangement.

14. Plan a Progressive Dinner

Get all dressed up and plan a memorable progressive dinner out on the town. Start with drinks, move onto a fun new restaurant for dinner, and end the evening with a nightcap at a fancy hotel bar. And because you can't have too much dessert on Valentine's Day, grab something sweet to-go for a delicious finish to the day.

15. Treat Yourself to the Spa

Show yourself some love and treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment. Whether it's a deep tissue massage or a rejuvenating facial, fit in a little self-care into your Valentine's Day this year. Or, declare a spa-theme party and invite your friends over for DIY manis and herb-infused co*cktails.

16. Have a Craft Night

Make handmade Valentine's Day gifts for everyone you love, because nothing shows you care more than a thoughtful homemade gift. Make personalized canvas tote bags for your best gals, give your mom the gift of relaxation with a set of homemade bath bombs, and for the one who holds the key to your heart, make a chic leather key chain.

17. Make a Heart-Shape Charcuterie Board

Make a cozy date night at home extra special with a Valentine's charcuterie board for two. Start with a heart-shaped board and create a romantic ombre effect with fruit, meats and cheeses, nuts, crackers, and your favorite dips and spreads. Layer the foods based on color for a stunning ombre effect and garnish it with fresh herbs and pomegranate seeds for a board that's as delicious as it is beautiful. Or, put a sweet twist on a charcuterie board and assemble a tasty—and gorgeous!—Valentine's snack board your sweetie will love. Fill it with their favorite candy, chocolate, and sweet treats and make it visually appealing by creating depth and texture with cute bowls serving utensils.

18. Celebrate Outdoors

Get the endorphins flowing with an outdoorsy activity to celebrate your love for one another. Have fun skating at an ice rink, go for a bike ride and watch the sunset, or explore a new hiking trail depending on the climate where you live. If weather permits, pack a romantic picnic basket to refuel with delicious Valentine's treats and a fancy hot cocoa to toast to your love.

19. Cook a Fancy Dinner for Two

If you'd rather stay in this Valentine's Day, chef up a restaurant-level dinner for your love. Put a luxurious spin on comfort food favorites, such as perfectly creamy lobster mac and cheese that elevates the classic. Print out the menu and create a beautiful table setting complete with lit candles and a lush floral centerpiece for a romantic restaurant-like experience at home.