For some, Valentine’s Day is just another Hallmark holiday—but I see it as the perfect excuse to create a thoughtful, meaningful moment. Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, your best friends, or just treating yourself, a day dedicated to showing a little extra love? That’s always a good idea.
And let’s be real—not everyone wants an overpriced prix-fixe dinner or a hard-to-get reservation. If you’re like me, you appreciate something unique, memorable, and budget-friendly (bonus points if it doesn’t require fighting the crowds). So, consider this your go-to list of fun and thoughtful ways to celebrate love—no matter your relationship status. Read on for 25 unique Valentine’s Day ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
image above from our interview with Claire Zinnecker by Michelle Nash
For the Hopeless Romantic
The person who’s knows every rom-com by heart.
- Dinner at Home: Surprise them with a curated dinner of all their favorite things. If you really want to elevate the experience, create custom menus and a gorgeous table.
- Special Delivery to their Office: Add a cryptic surprise about plans for the evening.
- “Things I Love About You”: Write ’em down and hide them throughout the day—their lunch, cell phone charger, etc.
- Frame Something Unexpected: Are you a couple that collects matchbooks, receipts from a first date, concert tickets, photos, or menus? Frame something from your favorite time with your partner and surprise them.
- Book a Couples Massage: If you can’t make it in person at a spa, create a spa-like environment at home. Bath person? Draw your partner a bath with candles and really set the mood
- *We’re obsessed with the treatments at Milk + Honey spa. They have several locations in Austin and around the country, and you can use code CAMILLE15 when you book to get 15% off any treatment.*
For the Minimalist Celebrator
They truly believe it’s the thought that counts.
- Write Your Partner a Poem: Slide it into their work bag as a surprise or give it to them in person.
- Pick a Romantic Movie to Watch Together: Nothing like an old school Film Noir love story.
- Buy a Book (or Gift) that Makes You Think of Them: Write a few love notes in the book throughout so they’ll find them when they read it. You could tuck that poem inside the book, too.
- Random Acts of Kindness: Buy a dozen roses and leave them on people’s windshields, or pop into a coffee shop and pre-buy coffees to make someone’s day.
- Game Night: Stay in your cozies, bring out your favorite game, and order takeout.
For the Adventurous Couple
Because experiences > things
- Try a Workshop Together: Time to step outside your comfort zone and try something new? Make candles, take a country line dance class, or find a cooking class for fun.
- Book a Spontaneous Day Trip or Staycation: It’s a great time to be a tourist in your own city or a town near-by for the night. (See our Austin Guide here!)
- Make a Scavenger Hunt: Channel your creativity and make this uniquely about your relationship – clues on where you had your first date, your first kiss, anything that speaks to you as a coupl.e
- Surprise Evening Dates: Each of you has to plan one portion of the evening. For instance, you take where to book dinner and your partner plans the after-dinner plans.
- Start the Day with a Hike or Walk: Use this time to share all the things you love about your partner (or friends), end it with coffee or a bite at your favorite spot.
For the Self-Love Enthusiast
Go ahead, treat yourself.
- Book a “You” Day: This day is all about the things you love. Go for a walk, grab coffee at your favorite spot, wear a fun outfit for the day, book a spa treatment or infrared sauna, cozy in with your favorite takeout, and watch your favorite show or movie. Get ideas from our Reset Day Routine here.
- Make Old School Valentines: There’s nothing like sharing the love with your friends, family, or co-workers. These are guaranteed to brighten their day.
- Buy Yourself Flowers: Valentine’s Day or not, flowers are always a great idea for yourself.
- Treat Yourself to Lingerie: Who doesn’t love a nice set of lingerie? A beautiful bra or corset top to wear under a blazer or a striking bodysuit is the right move.
- Host a Movie or Book Club Night with Friends: Everyone is required to bring a dish to offload some of the hosting duties. Bonus points if it’s love-themed.
For Friends You Adore (Galentine’s Day Inspo)
Celebrating best friends is always a good idea.
- Create a Volunteer Event: With so much happening in the world (like the LA wildfires), set up a time for friends to gather supplies and help your communities.
- Bowling and a No Reservations Dinner: Pick a fun spot in town that doesn’t take reservations or offers a fancy pre-fixe and go out for an evening of Bowling and Dinner.
- Book a Spa / Self-Care Night: Massages and facials at your favorite spa, a staycation at a wellness resort, a group sound bath – whatever is available to you, it’s fun to do with your friends.
- Host a Theme Dinner: Theme nights make it all the more fun to play dress up and go all out. Sequin-only dress code, French-inspired dinner with a Parisian movie, the options are endless.
- Dancing Night Out: There’s no shortage of live music venues, honky tonks, country bars, and more that offer live music and dancing. You never know who you’ll run into or meet, but either way, with your friends in tow, the night is always more fun.
We’re all so busy, and sometimes, planning can seem a bit overwhelming. But even something simple goes a long way when it comes to expressing love, gratitude, and appreciation—even if it’s for yourself!
