There is nothing worse than a Valentine’s Day date that shows no evidence of original
thought in its planning or execution. This holiday may have a reputation that make many regard
it as the ‘relationship olympics,’but with some guidance from us at W, a little effort, and a lot of
personalization, you can craft a Valentine’s Day date night that shows your partner you really
know them. An expensive dinner at the most exclusive sushi bar in your city? It’s very nice, we
won’t disagree. But what if your woman prefers a night-in over a night out? An intimate night of
deep conversation over a crowded concert venue? This post is for the lost partners of women
who prefer the comfort of the couch over the chaos of the club - we at W Events and Decor are
insatiably passionate about the celebration of love, and would never want our readers to
experience anything but a memorable, sentimental, uniquely-you Valentine’s Day. Here are four
non-cliché ways to have a Valentine's Day date night in, each offering its own unique and romantic experience!
The Romantic Experience
1. Plan a Game Night
Overcoming challenges together is a necessary rite of passage for any long-term
relationship. No one gets through this life without a few bumps and bruises; when you
manufacture an environment where you can overcome a simulated ‘challenge’ together in the
form of a board game, a card game, or a video game, it fills both partners with a sense of
accomplishment. Our brains are designed to release feel-good chemicals like oxytocin when we
experience the completion of a task, especially if that task is considered challenging in a novel
way*. Though the rules of a game may be arbitrary and hold little tangible value in the real
world, the feeling of being posed with a challenge, working to overcome it, and getting to bask in
the feeling of achievement is an experience that is scientifically proven to promote pair-bonding.
2. Look Up!
If you are ortunate enough to live in a place where February weather doesn’t require you
to bundle up before leaving the house, stargazing can be a tranquil activity for those who know
their partner’s love language to be quality time. Driving out to a nearby rural town with an
outdoor blanket and a bottle of wine provides you both with a much-needed ‘pause’ - your only
job while stargazing is to look up, relax, and sink into an almost meditative state of relaxation.
When we allow our minds to relax and focus only on a single thing, in this case, a vast sky of
navy blue and silver, we tend to get reflective. This is a great environment to have long,
contemplative talks with your partner about the sentimental memories that led you to spending
this night in each other’s arms.
3. Earn Your Degree in Mixology
If a lavish cocktail party isn’t your thing, you can remake the experience in an introvert-
friendly way by taking a mixology class online. There are hundreds of free resources on
YouTube for learning techniques of mixing, pouring, and creating classic combinations of syrup,
soda and liqueur that are available anytime. If you are not interested in waking up with a
pounding headache on the 15th, the same recipes can be tweaked to accommodate those who
would rather reach for a mocktail. One of our favourite Valentine’s Day mocktails is the “Pink" ‘Not’ Champagne” by Modern Day Moms - this drink squeezes the last little bit of festivity out of the holiday season with its sparkling red colour and cranberry base.
Recipe:
● 1 ½ cups of Sparkling apple cider, chilled
● 1 ½ cups of Sparkling cherry-flavoured mineral water, OR club soda mixed with cherry-flavoured syrup
● 1 cup cranberry juice
Stir until combined.
Serve and enjoy! This drink would go perfectly in our Classic Champagne Coupe!
If you prefer a mocktail over a cocktail, we post sober-friendly recipes on our W Events and Decor Instagram profile that will fit in perfectly amongst a sea of Moscow Mules:
https://www.instagram.com/weventsanddecor/
4. A Candlelit Dinner
While many couples may opt for a traditional night out at a fancy restaurant, take-out
from your favourite high-end restaurant is a perfect alternative for a romantic date night in. A
priceless advantage of getting a nice take-out meal is that you can personalize the dining
experience to your liking; whether you choose to set the mood by dimming the lights, lighting
candles, or playing some romantic music, the privacy of an in-home dining experience is the
perfect backdrop for long conversations that fade early into the morning. You can even suggest
that you and your partner dress up for the occasion, which will help to make the evening feel
even more special - the act of getting all dolled up for their eyes only is a time-honoured act of
love, the effectiveness of which shouldn't be taken for granted. By eliminating the distractions of
a crowded restaurant, you can focus on connecting with each other through emotionally intimate
conversation, laughter, and a night free of the little inconveniences of orchestrating a night out.
This date idea eliminates the time spent commuting, finding parking, walking in the crisp
February chill and doing it all over at the end of the night - 100% of your time can be spent
focused on connecting with your partner on this holiday of love.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to local hidden gems, many establishments now offer
take-out and delivery options that are sure to impress: some of our favourite upscale spots for
take-out dining in Waterloo Region are TRIO Restaurant on King st. and Solé Restaurant and
Wine Bar, conveniently located in Uptown Waterloo. To set a scene that is worthy of love as rare
as yours, we recommend setting the table with hues of red, pink, gold and white. Our curated
Valentine’s Day tablescape was designed to compliment a lush bouquet of red or pink roses - we
suggest you pick these up fresh from your local florist. The linked items below are now available
to rent at www.weventsanddecor.com:
- Gold Taper Candle Holders
- The Juliette Gold Collection glassware
- The Halo Gold Ripple Collection ceramic plates
- The Moon Collection Gold flatware
- Gold Chivari Chairs
With a little effort, you can use this Valentine’s Day to create an unforgettable experience To be loved is to be known for who you are completely, and be accepted wholly for who you are. These unique Valentine’s Day date night-in ideas show your partner that their individual interests are noticed, cherished, and celebrated by you. We hope that these ideas inspire you to have a happy and loving Valentine's Day.
From all of us at W Events and Decor…
Happy Valentine’s Day!
*As empirically supported in the article “Pair-Bonding as Inclusion of Other in the Self: A
Literature Review” published by Frontiers Psychology on October 24th, 2019. Link:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02399/full.
