As I mentioned in this post with Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day, Austin and I usually keep things pretty casual. I think we did the whole Vday dinner out a couple times and realized that with the upcharges for dinner, long waits, and all that, we preferred to stay in. And now that we have George and baby on the way, it feels even more special to stay in and celebrate love at home.

If you’re staying in this year, here are some fun ideas that I’ve come up with to celebrate. Austin and I have actually done a few of these before and I’m thinking we’ll go with a cheese board, chocolate tasting and a cute movie with George this year.

Let me know what you’re up to!

xx Ashley

VALENTINE’S DAY AT HOME IDEAS

Blind Wine or Champagne Tasting

We did this a few years back and it was a lot of fun! Obviously I have to miss out on this for now, but this is a good idea with your guy or girls if you live with roommates! I suggest buying a few different price points to see what you end up liking most. Even better when you have fun glasses like these.

Cheese Board It

When in doubt, Austin and I always turn to a cheese/charcuterie board for dinner…which is likely what we’ll do this year. For some reason, we tend to pull out the cheese boards more on holidays but honestly, I’m happy with one any night of the week.

Hire a Private Chef or Cook a Meal Together

We haven’t done this for Valentine’s Day but it would be so nice! If you both want a night off from cooking but don’t want to deal with the crowds, you could splurge on a private chef for the night! Or even just cook a favorite meal together at home. Pour some wine, turn on music, and go with a recipe you both enjoy (and that’s pretty easy).

Self-care Night

If you’re solo this Vday or have zero interest in doing anything to celebrate, use it as an excuse for a self-care night. For me, that usually looks like a bath, a face mask or at-home facial, a facial massage (below are some favorite skincare tools and masks) and an early bedtime. Sounds pretty perfect, right??

PJ + Movie Night

If you have a family, it could be cute to get matching PJ’s for the kids and to watch a family-friendly movie together. Or if it’s you and your man, put a couple of movie selections in a hat (you both get to choose and make them all romantic comedies) and then choose one. It’s a small way to make the evening a bit more exciting.

Chocolate Tasting

Sign me up! It’s obviously the best part of the holiday so you know I’ll be experimenting with a few boxes this year. Hide the top or wherever the flavors are listed out and see if you and whoever you’re with can guess them.

Baking Cookies

Super simple and sweet. You can’t go wrong with throwing in a batch of cookies – there are a ton of cute batters out right now – and calling it a day. Could be cute to decorate cookies if you have kids at home, too!

Champagne Flutes (great lookalikes to the CB2 ones) | Candle | Faux Flowers + Vase (similar)