Shai and I don’t haven’t done gifts for Christmas, Anniversaries, or Valentine’s day since we have been together – forgoing gifts we can buy ourselves in favor of trips and experiences. Here are some of my favorite ideas for a gift-free Valentine’s weekend!
1. Breakfast (or Dessert) in Bed
If there is one thing I learned from our stay in Budapest, it’s that there is something seriously fantastic about having meals brought to you while you are lounging in a fluffy bed surrounded by pillows and the ability to just chill and watch a movie. You can make this possible by either cooking your significant other breakfast and bringing it to them or booking yourselves a stay at a local hotel and ordering in! (here are some ideas if you decide to stay at home)
2. Dinner
Not just going out to dinner but cooking a full 4-5 course meal for yourselves. Pick out a menu a couple weeks in advance, then check and double check the shopping list before heading to the store a couple days before. When you set out to make everything, have a loose plan and put on some fun music or cheesy movies on in the background so you can sit down and relax and munch while you cook. Make a whole afternoon- evening of it and don’t forget the wine!
3. A hike with a picnic
I have always found being outside and in nature to be one of the most relaxing things. I love it when you feel like you are the only ones in the world out there. Find a local hike to a great view (like a mountain, castle, or just a really big hill (lol)) and lay out a picnic for yourselves before heading back down. What could be better and peering out into the vastness of a city, feeling like you are the only ones around and nibbling on chocolate covered strawberries?
4. An Opera
Being in Vienna reminded me that one of my bucket list items is to go to an Opera a la Pretty Woman (minus the being the hooker part). There just seems something terribly romantic about getting dressed and saying you are “off to the Opera” for an evening. Operas are not exclusive to Europe (re: Pretty Woman) but you rarely hear about them. Here are some locations so you can find one close to you!
5. Massages, Facials, and Pedicures
This may sound like something you should do with your girlfriends instead of your partner but hear me out. Whenever we give massages to each other they typically only end up being about 5 minutes. Set a timer for 20 minutes and take turns giving each other massages. If you don’t want to buy massage oil, you can use coconut oil. After you give each other the first massage, put on an exfoliating mask for another 20 minutes and watch some tv. When that is done, soak your feet in the tub and give yourselves or each other little pedicures and foot massages! Then, reset the 20 min clock for massages for each other. After those, put on a moisturizing face mask like a sheet mask and chill. After this session you both should feel so soft, clean, and relaxed, all you need to do next it order in Chinese food and watch movies all night.
Do you have a low-key low-cost idea for Valentines day? Write it in the comments below!
Xx
Kali