6 At-Home Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day doesn't have to involve a restaurant dining experience (seriously, who wants to deal with overpriced prix fixe menus?) or an exotic getaway (but we won't complain if it does). The most important part of the romantic holiday is spending time with the one you love, and that can happen right in your home.

The most important thing you can do to create a memorable day, or weekend (depending on the day of the week the holiday falls) filled with spoiling your special someone is thinking ahead. Sierra Castellano, Senior Director of Merchandising at Harry & David, gave us her take on how sweethearts can celebrate all day. Borrowing from her plans, she said, “The real key is to plan ahead. Think about the little moments that would surprise and delight your significant other. Focus on things you can do together."

“The options for creating an unforgettable romantic Valentine's Day in the comfort of home are as endless as your imagination," Castellano says. Here are her top tips for planning a meaningful, cozy, and romantic Valentine's Day getaway without leaving the house.

Set the mood with dreamy décor

Create a romantic ambiance with items that double as decorations and gifts. A fresh bouquet of roses or your sweetheart's favorite flowers is not only a thoughtful surprise but can double as a stunning centerpiece.

Cozy up with breakfast in bed

Once you awaken from your slumber, organize a cozy breakfast in bed. Pull together all your favorites into a decadent breakfast board. Or, serve something simple but delicious, such as a French toast bake. You can prepare it the night before and then simply pop it in the oven in the morning.

Put away the tech

Rather than getting caught up in social media or catching up on work emails, spend some time going through old family photographs, a wedding album, or photos from your first couple of dates. You can also plan an old-fashioned game night with a deck of cards or your favorite board games.

Create a dessert board for snacking on

Gather your partner's favorite treats and arrange a dessert board. Grab the chocolate or their favorite candy, or bake their favorite kind of cookies. If they're more of a savory person, you can also build a charcuterie board with a variety of meats and cheeses.

Arrange a dinner date in

A romantic dinner doesn't have to be complicated. Planning and preparing a simple meal together allows you to spend more time with each other and less time cooking. One dish that requires minimal effort is slow cooker enchiladas. Or, order a fully prepared gourmet meal and skip the time in the kitchen entirely. Pair the meal with a delicious cocktail or wine, and remember to end dinner on a sweet note with a dessert, such as chocolate lava cake. Or just move the aforementioned dessert board to, well, dessert.

Watch a rom-com and chill

There's nothing more relaxing than an evening of cuddling on the couch and watching your favorite romantic flick. Bring the dessert board along, or keep the snack board theme going with a movie night popcorn board.