Low-key Valentines ideas that are still packed with romance
1st February 2019
Valentine’s Day is a romantic holiday that sees couples celebrate their love for one another. On February 14th the streets fill with couples as they journey out on romantic dates, gifting each other with heartfelt and thoughtful presents. However, for people in later life, or for those who struggle with mobility issues and require assistance tools like a home stair lift, some of the more traditionally romantic date ideas are not viable options.
This article lists some thoughtful and romantic date ideas that anyone will be able to take part in, so from the perfect way to reminisce to exciting surprises, read on to find out more.
Have a ‘remember when’ date night
Having a remember when date night is a simple idea but something that’ll make you think about all of the good times you’ve had together. Dig out the old photo albums, your old vinyl records and the box of keepsakes you’ve been collecting since your first date and sit down together. Flick through the items one by one and talk about the amazing times you’ve had. Perhaps you can create a new photo album of your time together, or bring the family in on this and share your stories with them? The possibilities are endless, but one thing is for sure, by the end of the day you won’t be able to stop smiling.
Ami Tricker, blogger at Undercover Superhero, loves this idea: “Due to having a low level of mobility, typical Valentine's Day activities, such as eating out or going to the cinema, are difficult for me. My fiancé and I have tried and tested 'Remember When' in the past. This activity reignited our love for one another and reminded us both why we fell in love.
“What's not to love? It is quality time together reminiscing about cherished memories, laughing at the funny moments you have shared together and best of all, it's free! A nostalgic Valentine’s Day? Sounds perfect to me!”
Romantic Ice Cream Trip
If the weather is fair, getting ice cream is a lovely idea for a low-key date idea. Depending on where you live, you can go to the beach or a park, grab a cone and sit and watch the world go by. If the weather isn’t as fair there are many places that you can sit in and eat ice cream around the country. Although this is a small and simple idea, it gives you a great chance to enjoy something sweet whilst spending time together.
For those who aren’t able to go out and get ice cream, have a night of ice cream tasting at home by buying a few different tubs, a selection of cones and toppings and having a create your own station.
Go to the theatre
For those who are able, many theatres have great accessibility features and offer romantic performances around Valentine’s Day. This can be a lovely way to enjoy something a little bit different. Dress up to the nines and enjoy a night of live entertainment you’ll be talking about for months to come.
Alternatively, if you’d rather something that you don’t need to be dressed up for, a trip to the cinema could still offer a similar experience but with fewer formalities involved. If you’d rather something more formal, a trip to the opera could be a treat, and with our article, you’ll be able to find the UK’s most accessible opera houses near you easily.
Living room picnic
A living room picnic is a small gesture but can be a lovely surprise for an unsuspecting partner. Throw a rug down onto the floor or over a coffee table and cover it in picnic food like fresh bread, cheeses, salad and more. You could light some candles and throw on one of your favourite films, or just sit and talk together whilst enjoying your meal. If you’d like to cook a meal for this, we have a great list of healthy dishes that are easy to make for low mobility.
Emma, blogger at Emma Leighhull, loves this idea: “Sometimes the best sorts of dates can be done right from your living room. It may sound boring but think about it; you save an absolute fortune, you can wear whatever you want, and you can tailor the meal to suit you rather than having to make any fussy requests to the waiter. Rather than getting a three-course meal in, why not set up a mini picnic in the living room and watch a movie - get plenty of picky bits, a bottle of bubbly and choose something that you've both been dying to watch on Netflix!”
Paint together
If you’d like to create something that you can have with you every day, enjoying an afternoon painting is a delightful idea. Whether you set up a still-life (perhaps including a bouquet of Valentine’s Day flowers) paint the landscapes from outside your window, or each other, this can be a lovely way to spend your Valentine’s Day. Not only do you get to do something creative and have fun, but you’ll create lasting memories of the day, and potentially a brand-new hobby.
Recreate your first date
If you are looking for a large gesture, then you could try and recreate your first date. There is never a bad time to do this, and with a little bit of planning, it can go off without a hitch. If needed, asking family members for a little bit of help is a lovely way to get them involved and ensure your date is perfect. Perhaps you go back to the restaurant where you had your first meal together, or you wear similar outfits. Even if you are unable to recreate the full date, enjoying the same meal, or just listening to the same music can evoke the butterflies you had in your stomach back then and you’ll fall in love all over again.
As well as being great Valentine's Day date ideas, some of these can be great first date ideas for those needing dating advice for over 60s, so feel free to great creative with your ideas, it's never too late for love.
With this list, even those of us who struggle with mobility and require aids like stair lifts will be able to enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day with ease.
This news article is from Handicare UK. Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only and are up to date as of the time of publishing