Mallory Pace
Words by Mallory Pace
Valentine’s Day — you love it or you hate it. If you happen to love this holiday, you’re most likely in a committed relationship and looking forward to showering your significant other with kisses and chocolate. Or perhaps you are single but still love to celebrate love for what it is. Love is a strange thing: It’s found in strange places, you feel it differently with each person in your life, and it can make you do crazy things. It’s a scary, freeing and beautiful feeling and if there’s one thing that each person on the planet has in common — everyone wants to be loved.
Valentine’s Day is the holiday dedicated to celebrating that indescribable feeling. But don’t let capitalism get in the way of what it’s really about. Certainly it has become synonymous with flowers, chocolates and heart-shaped everything, but that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It might seem excessive or somewhat pointless to some, (you’re projecting, babe), but I find it to be a wholesome holiday where we get to show those we love a little extra kindness and attention. You don’t have to make a reservation at some too-fancy, overpriced restaurant or book a romantic, unforgettable getaway — there are so many (in my opinion, better) ways to show someone you love them without extravagant gestures. Most of the time, people just want to know they are heard and appreciated in ways that are unique to them.
Side-tracked rant: I whole-heartedly believe you should ask your significant other to be your Valentine. If you know your partner cares about it more than you do, ask them. Even if you know they don’t care about it, a simple ask and small gesture will be a pleasant surprise. Don’t just assume that because you’re dating or married, it’s an unspoken rule, because it’s not. Again, everyone wants to be loved and heard, so give it a try.
Valentine date ideas
For the homebodies
Sometimes there’s nothing better than spending quality time in the comfort of your own home (or bedroom… wink, wink). Planning an at-home date allows you to be extra creative and budget-friendly.
With a trip to the thrift store for a few wine glasses or mugs and picking up some paint from the craft store equals an at-home craft night. Once you’re done painting on them, fill them up with your favorite wine or cocktail and get drinking. Next, and you don’t have to be an artist for this, you can try painting each other or something that reminds you of the other. Then, while the wine is doing its thing, lay down an old or thrifted sheet and paint on each other! If you can handle a mess, this is a great way to share some good old belly laughs and let loose.
If you’re more food-driven and can stomach cooking in the kitchen with another person, try baking your favorite treats or indulging in home-cooked meals. Chocolate-covered strawberries are a Valentine’s Day classic, but they’re usually ridiculously expensive to buy from the store. You can create a fondue-esque dessert menu in your own home with melted chocolate and simple treats like fruit, pound cake, Rice Krispies treats, marshmallows… need I say more? Or find a simple recipe for an appetizer or meal and have a competition to see who can put the most unique and delicious twist on it.
Another fun idea is experimenting with cocktail variations until you find one you both like and making it the designated cocktail of your relationship. Then, if you ever break up, neither of you will be able to drink tequila ever again without thinking of each other! Perfect!
For the outdoorsy couples
If you prefer spending time outside, plan a backyard or beach picnic with your favorite snacks and hors d’oeuvres. It’ll probably be just cold enough to bundle up together and let your love blanket you with warmth. Plus, it’s always fun to people-watch and make up their life stories as if they’re characters in your book.
If you enjoy spending time outside, the Jacksonville Zoo and Jacksonville Botanical Gardens are perfect first date ideas. You can walk, talk and if things get awkward, pointing at the animals while “oohing and awing” will help fill the silence. There are many hidden gems within the area that make for great outdoor dates — Hannah Park, Little Talbot Island, Huguenot Memorial Park are perfect for hikes or dog walking. Pack a picnic basket and make a day of it!
Classic, yet timeless night-out’s
Some date ideas are classic for a reason. A dinner and a movie, in my book, will never get old. The Sun-Ray Cinema in Riverside has an old-fashioned vibe to it, letting you role-play how dating used to be when apps didn’t exist and chivalry wasn’t dead. Or perhaps go see a play or performance at one of the many theaters in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. The Alhambra Theater & Dining (albeit can be a bit pricey) is great for musical theater gurus. If you want to get a good laugh in, The Comedy Zone is sure to put you in a good mood for the rest of the evening.
Dive into the culinary world with a cooking class, wine tastings or splurge on a 10-course meal for a private chef (if you got it like that). There’s pottery classes or Painting with a Twist that offers a guided painting class as you sip on wine. You can take an exercise or self-defense class for the fitness couples. Stepping out of your comfort zone with each other can help you grow and experience new adventures together.
Getaway from it all
Weekend vacations can seem intimidating, but if you plan it right, it doesn’t have to cost much more than what you would spend at home. Driving just a few hours in really any direction will lead you to some fascinating places. Airbnb’s are mostly affordable if you don’t need an extravagant place to stay and plan to adventure out for the majority of your time. Explore a new area together by checking out museums, which are usually little to no cost, or scenic parks and historical sites. Try a new restaurant, bars and coffee shops, all of which you would probably do at home anyway. Or you can splurge on a cool Airbnb with a fire in the backyard or a cabin site and spend your time indoors cooking and relaxing.
Reconnecting
If you’ve been in a relationship for a while, whether you’re married with kids or hoping to get there one day, sometimes you lose sight of the person in front of you and why you’re together in the first place. For Valentine’s Day, it would be a sweet gesture to recreate one of your firsts: first date, first bar you went to together, first dinner date or just something memorable from when you first started going out. Reminisce on old times, talk about why you first fell for each other and think about how far you’ve come as a couple. Make plans for the future, talk about your hopes and dreams for each other and take the time to say how much you appreciate them. Don’t wait for the flame to burn out to try and rekindle it. Remind your partner why they’re your forever Valentine (just don’t forget to ask).
Don’t let this be just another Valentine’s Day of stopping at Publix on the way home. It’s important to celebrate your partners and do more than just tell them you love them. Even if this means going out with friends and celebrating a Galentine’s Day, love is love. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the stress of everyday life, but going out of your way to show your appreciation is crucial to a happy relationship, not just on Valentine’s Day, but it’s a good excuse to get out of the house and make an effort — don’t take your love for granted. What are you still doing here? Go ask them to be your Valentine!
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