By Cordia Paxson, Special to the Journal
Take a deep breath in. *Inhales.* You smell that? What is that pleasant aroma? That’s right. It’s Valentine’s season and love is in the air. But wait, I’m getting a hint of something…basic. It smells distasteful. If anything can spoil Valentine’s Day, it’s a basic date idea. You would think that after roughly 1,530 years of celebrating Valentine’s Day, humankind would at least have more creative ideas besides going out to eat at your local Olive Garden on one of the busiest days in the food service industry.
Well, don’t get your knickers in a twist if I just nixed your plan to make a last-minute reservation after promising your girlfriend for the past month that this Valentine’s Day ‘will be really special.’ Let me save you some money and possibly your relationship by giving you a handcrafted list of Valentine’s date ideas for a thoughtful and romantic outing with your partner.
Starting off strong with some budget-friendly, classy date ideas:
- The Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA): You could start this evening off by doing the classic dinner date first, but be sure to schedule an early dinner or even a lunch to beat the Valentine’s Day crowds and have enough time to visit the museum after. KMA is a free admission art museum that showcases pieces rich with Tennessee history. It has a quiet environment that is sure to be the perfect place to start or conclude your romantic evening. KMA even has some evening events coming up over the next few days that you can learn more about on their webpage! I highly recommend Soundscapes, but be sure to order tickets as soon as possible!
- Picnic and a walk in the park: East Tennessee is riddled with gorgeous parks. Skip the hassle of eating out and take advantage of the free landscape with a little picnic and a short walk. My personal favorite park in this area is Lakeshore Park, but any park will do for this date. Check the Legacy Parks Foundation website for more parks and information. Be sure to bring a picnic blanket to sit on and one to wrap up in, since the winter weather has been a bit chilly!
- Make dinner at home: Skip going out altogether and cook dinner together or make a charcuterie board. Cooking together can be such a fun bonding activity and can even help you to get to know your partner better. Put on some fun music and just enjoy being creative with each other. This Food Network article has some good recipes if you are looking for inspiration on what to cook!
- Movie night: This can be done for free in the comfort of your own home or at the theater if you want to venture outside the house. Just get cozy and enjoy quality time together. If you need help picking out the perfect Valentine’s Day movie to watch, well, editor Jackie Alaya has got you covered in her article here! If movies aren’t your thing, you can always go for a game night instead and play board games at home.
- Browse and Brew: Enjoy your Valentine’s date browsing book stores and drinking coffee. This low-stress date can be personalized in so many ways, making it the perfect way to spend a few relaxing hours. Two wonderful locations perfect for this date and conveniently right next to each other are Mahalo Coffee Roasters and Union Avenue Bookstore. If you happen to check these out, the lavender latte at Mahalo is to die for!
Don’t think I forgot about those of us who aren’t necessarily going on a date with someone this Valentine’s. Many of us skip the romance of Valentine’s Day altogether and opt for a platonic option like Galentine’s or the gender neutral Palentine’s. If this is more your speed, don’t overthink your hangout; most of the ideas above can be altered to fit the vibe of your friend group.
I personally love a good dinner at home/movie night combo for my co-ed friend group, or you could get your group together, dress like you are living in the ‘80s and go roller skating. Galentine’s could be altered to a BYOB (bring your own book) night, where everyone brings a charcuterie and a book, and you could spend the evening surrounded by friends while annotating your favorite reads. Just remember to keep your plans straightforward and flexible so you can achieve that low-key, relaxed vibe.
Some general tips for the perfect date night:
- Go out the day before or after to beat the crowds: Divorce yourself from the idea that Valentine’s needs to happen on February 14. I promise that you and your partner will be much happier relaxing at home versus pushing your way through a crowded restaurant.
- Make reservations early: There is nothing that ruins the mood more than poor planning skills. Reservations for many things can be hard to come by on Valentine’s weekend, so stay prepared and remember, if it’s hard to make a reservation, it’s even harder to just walk in.
- Thought over money: When it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts, the more thought that’s put in, the better. Instead of the expensive gift or overpriced roses, write your partner a love letter or make them a CD or playlist full of their favorite songs. Just keep it intentional, not expensive.
- Be present: Dive deep into conversation – so many hours are wasted not being present. So, put the phone away and actually listen. Not to mention that being a good listener is one of the most attractive qualities a person can have.
- Say the thing: Don’t assume it’s obvious that you are glad to be with your partner. Say the thing and be sure to tell them that you appreciate them. It doesn’t have to be poetry, it just has to be honest.
- The bottom line: Treat your partner how you want to be treated. People remember how you treat them, not what the date was or what you bought them.
I hope this guide to a perfect Valentine’s Day helps, and you and your partner enjoy a night full of relaxation and memories. Until next time!
Love,
Cordia Paxson
