After the winter holidays come to an end and the decorations are put away, pink and red chocolate, flowers and hearts decorate the store shelves. Although many argue that February 14th is a day for corporations to profit off of consumerism, the holiday can be more than that. It’s the perfect opportunity for couples to celebrate their relationship and make memories together! While some couples have established cherished traditions, others are gearing up for their first Valentine’s Day celebration together. But regardless of the novelty of your relationship, Valentine’s comes with a bit of pressure to create a day to remember. So, we took to the Menlo community for recommendations on how to make your Valentine’s Day celebration truly special!
Mini Golf
If you are looking for a date idea that combines fun, activity and a hint of competition, mini golf is perfect for you. It’s more than just a fun activity; it’s the perfect way to create memorable moments and spark some friendly competition for Valentine’s Day. Many local courses offer extended Valentine’s day hours too. This year on the 14th, seniors Sabrina Vohra and Kavan Kumar are going back in time to when they first started dating ten months ago. “We’re going back to where I took her on our first date, mini golfing,” Kumar said
Baking
Instead of heading out to buy some sweet treats for you and your date, why not make your own together? Juniors Nuria Sadri and Jack Edwards, who have been together for almost a year and a half, suggest baking as an exciting and wholesome date idea. “It’s super fun because baking is something you can do together, and [you can] enjoy the product with each other’s company,” Sadri said. Baking provides a chance to work together, making baking a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Watching Movies Together
If you’re the less outdoorsy type and value time spent relaxing with your partner, you and your date could watch a romantic movie together! Movies are a great way to enjoy each other’s company without the fuss of extravagant plans. So pick out a rom-com, stay in and stock up on some of your favorite snacks. Some suggestions to watch together are “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” “The Proposal” or “Bridget Jones’s Diary.”
Beach Date
Why not make the beach your Valentine’s Day destination this year? Sure, the sun isn’t exactly out in February. But we highly recommend bundling up with your significant other and watching the sunset together, or taking a romantic beach walk. Freshmen Zoe Hayes and Lincoln Bott, who have been together for a little over a month, are excited at the prospect of going to the beach as a couple. “It would be fun because you get quality time and it is a beautiful place to be,” Hayes said.
Romantic Dinner
If you want to opt for an enjoyable and simple outing, consider going out to eat at a local restaurant with your date. Dining out offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy delicious food and vibrant atmospheres without the hassle of cooking at home, and you can choose your restaurant. Juniors Krista Arreola and Reed Sunwoo, who recently celebrated their one year anniversary, often enjoy going out to dinner together. “It’s a great way to talk with your date and spend some quality time together,”Arreola said
Gift Giving
In addition to doing fun activities and making memories together, Valentine’s Day is a time when heartfelt gifts are welcomed. The classics are chocolates, flowers or stuffed animals, which are all timeless — but, let’s face it, a bit basic and boring. Seniors Annika Talwar and Nikhil Pathak, who will celebrate their three-year anniversary soon after Valentine’s Day, prefer simplicity in their gifts. “We usually do smaller gifts for Valentine’s Day, and they are normally more sentimental,” Talwar said.
Obviously, our recommendations are great for spending the day with your special someone. But you can still draw inspiration from them even if you don’t have a significant other! Vohra said it best: “Valentine’s Day is special because it’s a day to celebrate who you love,” she said.
At the end of the day, this holiday is a reminder to express your gratitude and love for others. If you take one thing away from our guide, it’s that you shouldn’t feel pressure to do something excessive. “It’s more about the sentiment than what you actually do,” Edwards said. Bott agreed: “The best Valentine’s gift, in my opinion, is being with [Hayes],” he said.
