Valentine's Day During a Pandemic

Like all the rest of the holidays, Valentine's Day is sure to look differently this year too. Here are a few ideas to keep the day special, all while still staying safe during this never-ending pandemic. Celebrating with a Significant Other: Take an online class together. Many small businesses have pivoted to bring engaging and interactive cocktail, charcuterie, and baking classes virtually. Our personal favorites are the cheese pairing classes with Antonelli's and the cupcake decorating classes with The Cupcake Bar. Plan a romantic dinner for two. Cook something new, like Ina Garten's Beef Bourguignon, or order a meal to go from a local restaurant. If you're an Austin local, you can make it a combo! Suerte offers a to-go + finish at-home kit. Their confit brisket tacos are out of this world! Have a movie night on the couch. Pop some popcorn, grab a glass (or two) of wine, and cozy up on the couch. Looking for something to watch? Bridgerton on Netflix is a must to spice things up and Ted Lasso on Apple TV is the perfect laugh-out-loud, feel-good story. Celebrating as a Family: Create a mosaic window pane heart with chalk and painters tape. Mosaic chalk art was such a hit when the pandemic first hit. We could all use some bright artwork on our sidewalks now that we are almost a year into quarantine! Pro Tips: First, outline your heart with tape, then create "panes" of glass by taping intersecting lines across your heart. Soak your chalk in water before "painting" for the boldest color. 2. Make homemade scented play dough. 3. With Valentine's landing on Sunday, there's no better time to have a brunch! Mix up “Strawberry Love Smoothie” for breakfast - 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 frozen banana, 1 can of light coconut milk, 1/8 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 date (makes about 12 ounces). Perfect to combat all the sugar you'll be eating the rest of the day! 4. Grab a busy bébés busy bag and enjoy the activities together as a family! Celebrating On Your Own: Splurge on the luxurious item you've been eyeing. You totally deserve it! Watch a rom-com and craft. The Paper & Craft Pantry has awesome DIY kits! Puzzles, doilies, or homemade Valentine's for your gal pals with a glass of wine and a classic like Clueless or 10 Things I Hate About You make a fantastic evening! Wine and dine yourself. Grab take out from a coveted restaurant in town and add a nice bottle of wine to your order. Regardless of how you celebrate, remember that it's just another day to show the people that you adore how much you care for them and to show your yourself some love. If all else fails, take advantage of the discounted Valentine's chocolate the day after!