Elili Brown Photography

Valentine’s Day is a holiday dedicated to your love and your love alone. So, celebrating valentine’s day with a unique idea makes it significantly more meaningful, allowing you to show your appreciation and dedication to your partner. It is easy to buy chocolates and flowers, fewer people spend time planning an activity that will form core memories and further deepen your connection. So, here are 32 unique Valentine’s Day ideas for you to execute, some are simple and some are more time intensive.  

1. Create a scavenger hunt: Your scavenger hunt can be based on a hobby of theirs, or their favorite movie, or meaningful locations to your relationship. Honestly, there are an infinite number of ways to make a scavenger hunt, but make sure it is tailored to your partner. If you are crafting it to be significant locations to your relationship you can include places like where you had your first date or first met or told each other “I love you.”
2.  DIY wine or chocolate tasting at home: Rather than just getting a box full of chocolates and gifting them to your partner, you could get an assortment of wines and chocolates and set up an at-home tasting station. You can take turns sampling each chocolate and wine. Once you’ve tried each one you can make separate lists of your favorite flavors and pairings and compare.
3.  Write love letters and read them aloud: what could be more romantic than reading a heartfelt love letter to your partner and vice versa. You can read them to each other over dinner or cozied up on the couch. You could even write them together at a park. But make sure you sit down and think about what you want to say to your partner and tell them all the reasons your life is better with them in it. And you walk away with a keepsake for moments where you might want reassurance but can’t be physically near your partner.
4. Plan a surprise picnic: As a park enthusiast, a picnic is always going to be on my list. To make this extra romantic, you can pack a basket with your partner’s favorite snacks, drinks, and activities. You could bring mini canvases to paint together, or books if they’re an avid reader, or frisbee disks if they would enjoy that. I recommend choosing a picturesque scenic spot where you can relax and enjoy each other’s company.
5. Couples cooking class: Cooking with other people can be stressful, but a cooking class is always a good time. Especially, since someone else is guiding you through the process, so you are almost guaranteed a delicious meal. You can branch out with a cooking class and learn to cook a new recipe or learn new culinary techniques.
6. Latte Art Class: If this is not a unique valentine’s day idea, I don’t know what is. But I don’t know if you have ever tried making coffee well foam art, but it is challenging as f***. So, why not try something new this Valentine’s Day. And hey, some of the most fun adventures are doing things that you suck at, as long as you can laugh at yourself. If you are located near Redondo Beach, Klatch Coffee is hosting a latte art class.
7. Movie marathon: If your partner loves movies like I do, selecting a lineup of some of their favorite movies or romantic movies to watch together is a wonderful way to spend your valentine’s day. With a line-up in hand, you can make it even cozier with blankets, pillows, and delicious snacks.
8. Couples massage or spa day: Given that Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year, this idea will work better on the weekend preceding Valentine’s Day or the weekend after. You can treat yourselves to a day of relaxation and pampering at the spa. You could do couples massages, or facials, hot tub soaks, or anything else your local spa offers.
9. Memory jar: As a super sentimental person, this one is a winner in my eyes. You could start a tradition of creating a memory jar. This jar will be filled with notes containing your favorite shared moments, inside jokes, and really any special memories you want to preserve. This tradition can continue on throughout the year and a near jar could be started each Valentine’s Day.
10. Sunset hike and stargazing: If you and your partner enjoy hiking or stargazing, you could go on a scenic hike to a lookout or mountaintop and watch the sunset. I would personally bring along a blanket, so you have somewhere to lie down and watch the starry sky! If you both are not big on hiking, then you could a drivable viewpoint in Los Angeles and bring a blanket and snacks to enjoy while you watch the sunset and magical night.
11. Homemade chocolates or treats: If you enjoy cooking together, you could find a recipe for homemade chocolates, truffles, or another one of your favorite sweets. You could try different flavor combinations or have fun making traditional delicious chocolates together
12. Virtual date night: this one is for my long-distance couples. If for whatever reason you are unable to spend Valentine’s Day together in-person, you can plan a virtual date night on facetime or Zoom. Now, instead of simply calling you can play games together, watch a movie simultaneously, cook the same recipe together, or draw or paint together.
13. Love song or poem: If you love putting your thoughts into writing, you could write and perform a love song or poem for your partner. This is a super creative, unique way to express your feelings of gratitude and love to your partner. If you are trying to up the romantic, you can set up some candles or sit by a fireplace (if you have one).
14. Scenic drive: If you love driving, you could take a leisurely drive together and enjoy the beautiful views and the journey. You can stop along the way to explore cute towns you pass through or stunning landscapes. A scenic drive will allow you to enjoy each others company.
15. Themed dinner night: If you are really into trying new cuisines or learning about different cultures, you could have a themed dinner. You can research traditional dishes and decorations and go on an adventure together. If you aren’t interested in trying different cuisines, you could theme your dinner with your favorite movie, for example: a Gilmore Girls themed dinner.
16. Vision board: If you like creating goals and envisioning the future, you can set aside time to create a vision board together. It could be filled with images and words that represent your dreams, goals, and desires as a couple.
17. Surprise weekend getaway: If your partner loves exploring new places, this could be the perfect unique valentine’s day activity for you. You could plan a spontaneous getaway to somewhere nearby for a weekend. Sweep your partner off their feet. Depending on what you both like to do you could choose a cozy bed and breakfast or a luxury hotel or a charming mountain cottage oasis. A surprise weekend getaway will let you escape your everyday routines and enjoy each other’s company.
18. Dance class: If you both like dancing or being active this one is for you. You could take a dance class together. This could be an upbeat class where you are learning new moves or just messing around, or it could be a ballroom dance class where you are sharing intimate moments. Regardless of if you take a Zumba class, go to a salsa, tango, or ballroom dance class, it will bring you closer together and make a happy memory.
19. Indoor fort: Who said indoor forts are just for children? Definitely not me. You can build a cozy fort in your living room with blankets, pillows, and furniture. Inside your fort, you can cuddle each other, play games, eat your favorite snacks, or enjoy a movie night.
20. Volunteer together: If you both enjoy giving back to the community this is the perfect unique valentine’s day idea. You can volunteer at a local charity or organization. This could be serving meals at a soup kitchen, helping with a beach cleanup, or helping at an animal shelter. You can show how much attention you pay to your partner, by what charitable activity you plan!
21. Photoshoot: As a photographer, of course this is on my list. But seriously, hiring a professional photographer to capture your relationship. In the heart of a single frame lies a tale that transcends the bounds of time – a story that unfolds with the click of a shutter. Each moment preserved by the photographer will become a treasured relic that you can look back on whenever you want. Checkout my Valentine’s Special here!
22. Rooftop dinner: If you like trying new restaurants and cityscape views, you can organize a romantic rooftop dinner. The other way to do this is on your own rooftop if you have access. If you want to up the romance, you can set up candles, string lights, and soft music and enjoy a delicious meal.
23. Playlist of songs: Aka make a modern mixtape. Your mixtape can be composed of songs that hold significant meaning to your relationship or songs that remind you or your partner. You can listen to the playlist together and reminisce about each memory associated with each song.
24. Write a love story together: A little bit like Mad Libs, you can write a love story together that reflects your relationship. Or you can predesign your own Mad Lib and write out your love story emitting random nouns, Proper nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Then on Valentine’s Day you can have your partner fill in the missing words and laugh at the story it tells. If you write a proper love story together, you can incorporate your senses of humor and adventure and the ways you care for each other. You can alternate choosing plot twists and motifs to include. A perfect unique Valentine’s Day idea that is completely personalized and irreproducible. If you were going all out, you could even get it printed and turn it into a booklet.
25. Virtual double date: If you are like me and most of your besties live in different states, you can arrange for a virtual double date with them. This way you get to spend time with more than just one loved one. On your virtual double date you can play games, share stories, or simply enjoy each other’s company. If you are looking for a fun group game, I recommend Code names.
26. Art museum or gallery: If you guys love art or art history, you could visit a museum or gallery and explore each exhibit hand in hand. Afterwards, you can discuss your favorite pieces, interpretations, and artistic styles you saw.
27. Recreate a memorable moment: a little roleplaying never hurt anybody. You can recreate a special moment in your relationship, like your first date, proposal, or favorite anniversary or celebration. This will demonstrate to your partner that you are always paying attention to them and could be a super fun activity!
28. Themed costume night: I already mentioned this one earlier with themed dinners, but for a themed costume night you can dress up like your favorite fictional couples or characters from movies, books, or TV shows. You can go all out with your outfits and accessories and spend the rest of the evening embodying their personalities.
29. Pottery or painting class: If you are artsy or interested in trying new things, you could take a pottery or painting class together. Regardless of if you are any good, you will form funny memories and get to explore your creativity. Who knows, maybe you will learn a new skill. If you are already into art, you can learn a new technique, experiment with a new medium, and create unique works of art to remember this Valentine’s Day with.
30. Adventure activities: If you are both super adventurous, you can plan an intensive day of thrilling activities like zip-lining, kayaking, rock-climbing, white-water rafting, snow-shoeing, the options are needless. But what better way to spend Valentine’s Day than conquering new challenges, and creating unforgettable memories of these shared adventures.
31. Candlelit dinner at home: This one is a classic, but still worthy of being included in this list. So, what else screams “I love you and Happy Valentine’s Day” than preparing a candlelit dinner for just you two. You could cook one of their favorite dishes or something they want to try. You can set up a table with flowers in the center and candles surrounding it. Then turn off your phones, take off your Apple Watches or Garmin’s and enjoy a distraction free evening.
32. Scrapbook or photo album: I am all about making and preserving memories, so what better than creating a scrapbook together. You can include your favorite memories together, photos taken through the progression of your relationship, any ticket stubs you have and little mementos from your adventures. While creating your scrapbook, you can reminisce over each memory and enjoy each other’s company. If you made a custom playlist for Valentine’s Day, you could combine it with the scrapbooking activity!
33. Exchange lists: You could write a list of some of the infinite list of reasons why you love and appreciate your partner, cut them out, put them in a mason jar, and give them to each other on Valentine’s Day. If your partner’s love language is words of affirmation, this is a brilliant, unique Valentine’s Day activity.

There are so many more unique Valentine’s Day ideas out there, so if you have any that I accidentally glossed over, please leave them in the comments!