Valentine’s Day Date Night Ideas (plus a few gift ideas too!)

With Valentine’s Day a few days away, I thought it would be fun to share some date night ideas with y’all! Admittedly, I’m not much of a Valentine’s Day person. Nick and I don’t typically go all out for the holiday, but we do love showing the other just how much we care for and appreciate them! This year we’re staying in and cooking a nice dinner together. We both love cooking, so this sounds like our ideal night! If you don’t have plans yet, scroll down for a few inexpensive date night ideas!

And while we’re on the topic of Valentine’s Day, do you all exchange presents on Valentine’s Day?! I feel like this is always a big debate since it’s really just a commercialized holiday! Personally, Nick and I don’t exchange presents. Instead we give each other a cheesy card and have a nice bottle of wine. If you do exchange gifts, I’m partnering with Babbleboxx to share gift ideas for Valentine’s Day! Each gift is thoughtful, inexpensive, and a great way to show you care! 

Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

COOK DINNER TOGETHER
Restaurants tend to be overcrowded on Valentine’s Day, so instead of going out plan on making dinner together. Maybe cook one of your favorite meals together or if you’re feeling adventurous, try a brand new dish! Nick and I really enjoy cooking, so this year we are having our Valentine’s Day dinner at home. We’re planning to cook up a delicious (hopefully!) meal that we’ve never made! Add in a nice bottle of wine and a homemade dessert and you’ve got a perfect night sans crowds!

TAKE A COOKING CLASS
Cooking classes are a fun way to learn how to cook while working together in the kitchen! Places like Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table offer cooking classes often and they make for a great date night (with good food to boot!)

MAKE RESERVATIONS AT A RESTAURANT THAT HAS SPECIAL MEMORIES
If you choose to go out to dinner for Valentine’s Day, go somewhere that has a special meaning! Did you go to that restaurant on the night you got engaged? Is that where you went on your first date? Choosing a restaurant that holds special memories for you as a couple is a great way to make the day special.

RECREATE YOUR LOVE STORY 
Nothing is more romantic than your love story, so why not recreate it?! This will obviously take a bit of planning, but it would be such a cute date night. Go back to the place where you had your first date, first kiss, where you got engaged, etc. and relive those special memories!

DINNER & A MOVIE AT HOME
Make your favorite meal, then curl up on the couch with your significant other for a night of cuddling and watching a good movie! Don’t forget to grab your favorite movie snacks!

TAKE A STAYCATION
A staycation is a great way to “get away” and spend time just the two of you! We took a staycation for New Year’s and it was so nice to order room service and have breakfast in bed!

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Even though Nick and I don’t exchange gifts for Valentine’s Day, I love giving gifts! There’s something so special about finding the perfect gift that you know the other person will love that makes me so happy! If I’m ever unsure what to get someone I try my best to think of a useful or thoughtful item that I can get! You really can’t go wrong with a useful, functional item or something thoughtful that shows you put effort into the gift!

SOMETHING USEFUL
You can’t go wrong getting something useful that can be used day in and day out! If your significant other works in an office or does a lot of writing, a good pen is a game changer! The Cross rollerball pen is a classic and writes so well. It’s quick drying too, so easy to use on the go! Get 10% off with code BABBLE10 until 2/28. Another useful item? Sunglasses or blue-light blocking glasses from Zenni eyewear! They have a wide-range of affordable glasses no matter what the style! I have been loving these blue-light blocking glasses when working on my computer!

AN EXPERIENCE
I always prefer experiences over gifts because it’s a great way to make memories with the one you love! A few “experience” ideas are tickets to a concert, a trip, a cooking class, or even a couple’s massage!

SOMETHING THOUGHTFUL
Thoughtful gifts are my absolute favorite to give and receive! Knowing that someone took the time to think about what I would like goes a LONG way! I always love personalized gifts with my initials on them! Another item I like receiving? Jewelry or watches! The G-Shock Watch by Casio is a great watch for women because it’s functional and chic! I love the updated look and all of it’s functions, including alarms and timers.

SOMETHING SILLY & FUN
If all else fails, get them something that will make them smile! I always like getting Nick silly cards for holidays and there’s nothing better than seeing him smile when he opens it! You can also get them something that’s an inside joke 🙂

This post is in partnership with babbleboxx. All thoughts are my own.