If there’s anything the past few months have reinstated, it’s that over-the-top celebrations and grand gestures are not how you measure love. All you really need is your favourite people by your side, and everything else fades into the background. We’re now into the ‘love month’ as they call it, and Valentine’s Day is fast approaching! It’s not unknown to any of us that this year, just like all other festivities, 14th February will also be an intimate affair. While a single day isn’t enough to celebrate your bond with your S/O, your best friends, or yourself, it isn’t a bad idea to do it at the same time as the entire world. Get into the spirit of the day and start prepping for a low-key Valentine’s.
Here’s everything that will say those three magic words with you!
Begin the day with breakfast in bed.
A great beginning almost always leads to a great ending, and also sets a positive tone for the hours that lay ahead. Start off on the right note with some breakfast in bed, and no, we don’t mean just a cup of coffee and nothing to go with. Put in a little more effort than usual and decide what you or whoever you’re celebrating with would like to eat, whether it’s perfectly cut exotic fruits or pancakes with extra maple syrup! You can choose to save the conversations for later and just kick back with your individual book or magazine selection.
Should the desire to hit the hay come over you again, you know no one’s judging!
Prep the room.
Ahead of your lunch or dinner date with your S/O or the girls, it’s essential to keep things pleasant not just inside the kitchen (if you’re cooking) but also outside it. Light up some scented candles, ones that will envelope the room in a mellow fragrance, but aren’t overpowering enough to ruin your meal. Flowers or small plants are everyone’s favourites, and they add that perfect finishing touch to your setup. A lot of us also have a go-to song that either describes our relationship perfectly, or brings back a defining moment in our tenure. If you have one too, turn on your music player and hit that volume button.
Table for one, two or more, please!
Instead of going to a fine dining restaurant, bring the fine dining to you! Uncork a bottle of wine and bring out your best tableware; this is the perfect time to put it to use. If you’re with your girl gang, mix up some fun cocktails. Do all the ‘setting up’ together before you finally take your seats. If you’re ordering in, make sure to actually plate all the food rather than eating out of takeout boxes this one time – it’s a lot more Valentine-y!
Dress to impress.
We know that our loved ones would still find us just as attractive even if we were wearing a sack, but isn’t it nice to bag those extra compliments from them? No matter what the venue for the day is, whether it’s your balcony or the living room, dress up real nice and give your Valentine(s) a visual treat! If there’s a colour that they especially like on you, let it act as your style cue!
Ladies, if it’s a lunch date, keep it sensual yet casual in a one shoulder top or a slit skirt with your choice of pairings. If dinner is what you’re aiming for, then deeper palettes and sparkly and understated jewellery will be your best bet.
There’s nothing women love more than a well-fitted shirt on you, so men, keep this in mind while picking your outfit. You can choose classic hues like black or white, or try adding some colour to your #OOTD!
Save the gifts for last.
Celebrations of any kind are incomplete without a gift! So, right when the day is coming to an end, surprise your partner or your friends with perfectly wrapped presents that took you hours to pick! Remember – no matter what women say, jewellery is always going to be their best friend. And when it comes to men, they leave no stone unturned to find the right accessories, even though they might be laidback about their clothing. Your friends might have something on their wish lists, so it’s best to slyly ask them about it beforehand. Take these gifting ideas and bring them to fruition!
Remember, love comes in all forms – from the romantic kind to the underrated platonic bonds. That’s exactly what this day is meant to signify, so we hope all of you have a Valentine’s to remember, regardless of what or who you’re celebrating it with.