Our five best ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2021
Perhaps you are finding it difficult to feel positive about Valentine’s Day this year, and who can blame you. All of us are struggling to find new things to do within the confines of our homes. Here are our top 5 ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in lockdown.
Have a day of at-home firsts
One of the joys of travelling, eating out or meeting new people is the novelty of it all - it's what makes the experience memorable. Take the boredom out of looking at the same walls, pictures and furniture by trying to do something you haven’t done together before to make the day stick in your memory.
Play film roulette if you’re the sort who likes to Netflix and chill. Open a streaming app, select the film category, close your eyes, scroll and press play. Watch whatever you have selected - whether it’s an award winner or not! If you’ve seen it before you get another turn.
Draw or paint a portrait of each other in 10, 20 or 30 minutes. Setting a time limit will keep you from agonising over details and will force you to work quickly to capture the features in your parter or friend that stand out to you. Focus on drawing what you see instead of perfecting the end result. Have fun with it and unleash your inner artist.
Make time for a spa hour - pick your favourite mask or whip up a DIY facial with ingredients from the kitchen. Light some candles, put some soothing music on, get some cucumber slices for your eyes and spend the hour luxuriating together as your skin gets some winter pampering.
Book a virtual wine tasting
Learn all about the power of pink with Bristol Wine School’s Valentine’s day rosé online masterclass - A Bunch of Rosés is available at £15 per screen and runs from 2pm to 3.30pm. You don’t have to be a couple to join. The school can advise you of a suitable wine or wines to buy with a 10% discount if bought from their partner wine merchant.
Try a virtual escape room
For Harry Potter fans, there’s the Hogwarts Digital Escape Room which can be played as an individual or team. Created by an American Youth Services Librarian in Pennsylvania, the game is free to play.
Prefer Treasure hunts? Escape Rooms Durham lets you track down the dangerous Mr-X using internet resources - Youtube, Google Maps and local websites in your search for information. The game should take between 45 mins and 2 hours to complete. A donation is requested but it is not compulsory.
Support local food and drink businesses in your area
Local hospitality businesses have struggled through the pandemic so why not show them some love! Heartfelt Vintage are offering an afternoon tea delivery and collection service - a real stay at home indulgence, whilst Wapping Wharf's independents have put together a wide range of offers for every budget to make the day special. For more variety here's a comprehensive list of all the Bristol restaurants and cafés offering delivery.
And if all else fails, there’s always…
Flowers and a sweet treat
They’re a classic for a reason and they work brilliantly if you can’t be with the one you love on the day. Take your pick from Guilbert's traditionally made chocolates, Hotel Chocolat’s Love Potions or A Dozen Happy Hearts, Lola’s Cupcakes Valentine’s Brownies, a selection of gluten-free and vegan treats from The Bristol Loaf or a retro sweet hamper from local Treasure Island Sweets. For flowers, use Floom to pick a bouquet from local florists or choose from Bloom & Wild's lovely selection of Letterbox Flowers.
