Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day has conditioned us to buy gifts. Yet, according to a KAYAK survey, most people would rather travel with their sig-O than exchange gifts for Valentine's Day. We put together a few getaways with that in mind, plus some outside-the-chocolate-box gifts they'll enjoy, use, and remember long after February. And if you're last-minute on your gift shopping, these are perfect for giving on the 14th but doing at a later date.
Escape on a super romantic tropical getaway.
Photo by Shifaaz shamoon on Unsplash
Double down on love in the World's Most Romantic Resort (as voted by the World Travel Awards, 10 years in a row) in one of the most romantic places in the world. Baros, located on a private island in the Maldives, has over-the-water and garden villas and can't-miss sunsets. Relax on a sun lounger by day and in the evening, indulge in a private dinner on a sandbank or on the Piano Deck built directly over a turquoise lagoon.
Nosh on some heart-shaped waffles together.
Add a little extra TLC to breakfast with this Dash mini-waffle maker ($15), which will let you and your loved one dine on made-to-order heart-shaped treats. Try our Red Velvet Heart Waffles With Cream Cheese Glaze recipe too!
Go on a hike.
Photo by Anders Nielsen on Unsplash
Getting out in nature is not only healthy for you, but it's also good for your relationship too. You'll unplug, spend quality time together, and chat about more than just the day-to-day. Gift idea? Merrell is launching its second collab of hiking boots with Jenny Bruso and Unlikely Hikers, which supports anti-racism outdoors.
Drink rose-colored cocktails while having deeper conservation.
Sip on a rose-colored gin + tonic while asking and answering these Date Night Questions. Here are more cocktails to make your Valentine swoon.
Rose Gin & Tonic
- 2 oz Glendalough Rose Gin
- Tonic Water
- Lime wedge, garnish
- Mint sprig, garnish
Directions: Add Rose Gin in an ice-filled wine glass. Top with tonic water and garnish with a slice of lime and a fresh sprig of mint.
Enjoy breakfast in bed.
Photo by Jeremy Doddridge on Unsplash
No phones allowed. Enjoy each other's company with a quiet morning. Make these 15-minute breakfast ideas or order in. Try these thought-provoking questions too to spark unexpected conversations that lead to really understanding someone.
Mark off a bucket list item.
This LET'S GET AWAY gift box will inspire your next big getaway with a travel book, leather bag tag, and bourbon gummy bears for snacking.
Find adventure in the rainforest.
Kura Hotel
Luxury meets sustainability at Kura, an adults-only hotel located high in Costa Rica's Uvita rainforest. Go whale-watching, horseback ride past waterfalls, surf the country's renown waves, or simply embrace Pura Vida at one of the resorts eight private suites that all have "tropical minimalist" style.
Go on a surprise adventure.
Make memories with The Adventure Challenge book for couples. The catch? Your adventure is a surprise until you scratch off a challenge, like cooking while blindfolded, recreating your grandparents' first date, or painting on a unique canvas… you'll bond with your SO while recording it all with fun instant photo prints too.
Take a class together.
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Brit + Co has affordable cooking classes you can take online or you can find a local one in-person, like at Sur La Table stores. Gift a cookbook with your class too!
Try a [insert here] crawl.
Love fried chicken? Go on a fried chicken crawl in your area. Prefer the traditional beer crawl? Hop around for the best hops. Whatever you crave, make it a crawl for a whole day of taste-testing to find the best in town.
Share a local experience.
Whether you're traveling or staycationing, AirBnb experiences are a great way to learn something new while breaking the dating mold with your partner. From beekeeping to electric bike tours to music experiences and more, there's sure to be something you and your SO will love.
Go on a scavenger hunt...in a new pair of shoes.
Spring is just around the corner. Treat them to a new pair of sustainably-made Everyday Mid Top sneakers from Nisolo (100% Living Wages, 0% Net Carbon), then treat yourself to a cute pair of clogs too. Inside the shoe, put a list of things to find on your own personal Photo Scavenger Hunt!
Schedule a double date.
Turn your Valentine's Day date into a double or triple date with your couple besties. You'll be able to share relationship experiences and bond over being social with the friends you love.
Taste test your wine collection.
Photo by 🇨🇭 Marcel Gross | @marcelgross.ch on Unsplash
Taste a few different wines without worrying about open bottles going to waste. The Coravin Model Two Premium Wine Preservation System ($284) allows you to pour wine without removing the cork, so you can enjoy just a glass or two and preserve the rest of the bottle until you're ready to drink the rest.
Plan a picnic together.
Photo by Svetlana Kuznetsova on Unsplash
If you live in a colder climate, plan the picnic indoors. Bonus points if there's a fireplace! But for milder Feb days, a picnic on the beach or a local park -- even a breakfast picnic -- would be super sweet.
Write love notes to each other.
Photo by Hannah Olinger on Unsplash
Write what you love about your partner, from the littlest things to the big ways that they make you feel. Keep a journal that you share back and forth if you both love to write.
Indulge in an at-home massage.
Let your significant other enjoy the benefits of deep tissue treatment, whenever and wherever they want. The Theragun G3 ($399) is a handheld percussive therapy massage device that can help work out tight and sore muscles within minutes.
Spice up your dinner plans.
Spice up date night, literally, with a Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit ($42) that includes cayenne, ancho, curry, and chili spice packs. You'll be able to create six different bottles that will add an extra kick to your meals together.
Celebrate the art of napping.
If your partner is a champion sleeper, make them feel appreciated for their talent with this Calhoun & Co. Woven Throw Blanket ($108) that will perfect for their next nap.
Practice more gratitude.
Practice a little more thankfulness in your relationship and life with the gthx app ($70/yearly subscription), which helps people learn and express gratitude toward others. There are guides, journals, and stickers to help you appreciate both the things and people in your day to day.
Spend a weekend skiing and après-skiing.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Hit the slopes for the day and then recover at a slope-side spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, a ski in-ski out hotel on Northstar. The guest rooms have mountain views and fireplaces, and the bar is the ideal place for an après cocktail.
Catch better zzz's.
Give your partner the gift of a good night's sleep with a ZonLi Weighted Blanket ($80) that comes in various sizes and weights. They'll wake up on the right side of the bed, which is a win-win for both of you.
Lounge around in the matching PJs.
Make a night or weekend even cozier by lounging in unisex MeUndies Onesies ($78) with your SO.
Relieve stress with a little acupressure.
After a long day, help relieve tight or tense muscles with a ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set ($20) in the comfort of your home. This mat has almost 8,000 acupressure points to help stimulate blood flow and relieve stress.
Binge your favorite TV shows together.
Stream your favorite shows in 4K wherever you go. The Fire TV Stick 4K ($40) is also Alexa-enabled, so you can resume your TV binge session with minimal effort.
What are your Valentine's Day plans? Find more ideas on our Valentine's Day 2023 page.
Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
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