{"id":4577,"date":"2026-02-11T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/?p=4577"},"modified":"2026-02-10T21:17:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T02:17:24","slug":"cupids-picks-for-an-evening-with-your-valentine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/2026\/02\/11\/cupids-picks-for-an-evening-with-your-valentine\/","title":{"rendered":"Cupid\u2019s Picks for an Evening With Your Valentine\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">By Cordia Paxson, Special to the Journal<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a deep breath in. <em>*Inhales.*<\/em> You smell that? What is that pleasant aroma? That\u2019s right. It\u2019s Valentine&#8217;s season and love is in the air. But wait, I\u2019m getting a hint of something\u2026basic. It smells distasteful. If anything can spoil Valentine&#8217;s Day, it\u2019s a basic date idea. You would think that after roughly 1,530 years of celebrating Valentine&#8217;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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, don\u2019t 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\u2019s Day \u2018will be really special.\u2019 Let me save you some money and possibly your relationship by giving you a handcrafted list of Valentine\u2019s date ideas for a thoughtful and romantic outing with your partner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-1-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"Pink flowers in a tree\" class=\"wp-image-4567\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.500047833157945;width:611px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Composure&#8221; | Anonymous<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting off strong with some budget-friendly, classy date ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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\u2019s 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/knoxart.org\/events\/\">webpage<\/a>! I highly recommend Soundscapes, but be sure to order tickets as soon as possible!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/lakeshoreparkknoxville.org\/\">Lakeshore Park<\/a>, but any park will do for this date. Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/legacyparks.org\/outdoor-knoxville-guide\/places\/parks\/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=1617230820&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADmDNQnHbxq1xMICeMNHlJK8bbLM4&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiA4pvMBhDYARIsAGfgwvxvORjLnYDf2lRxvX4qV8OuKn0XS7ifGENOuGgODRe5zt9gyh0sMp0aAnHaEALw_wcB\">Legacy Parks Foundation website<\/a> 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!&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodnetwork.com\/holidays-and-parties\/photos\/valentines-day-dinner-recipes\">This <em>Food Network<\/em> article<\/a> has some good recipes if you are looking for inspiration on what to cook!&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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\u2019s Day movie to watch, well, editor Jackie Alaya has got you covered in her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/2026\/02\/11\/10-romcoms-to-heal-your-heart\/\">article here<\/a>! If movies aren\u2019t your thing, you can always go for a game night instead and play board games at home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Browse and Brew: Enjoy your Valentine\u2019s 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mahalocoffeeroasters.com\/\">Mahalo Coffee Roasters<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/unionavebooks.com\/\">Union Avenue Bookstore<\/a>. If you happen to check these out, the lavender latte at Mahalo is to die for!&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-2-800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"Pink flowers in a tree\" class=\"wp-image-4564\" style=\"width:612px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-2-800x1200.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-2-333x500.jpg 333w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-2-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-2-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-2-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flowers1-2-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Repose&#8221; | Anonymous<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t think I forgot about those of us who aren\u2019t necessarily going on a date with someone this Valentine\u2019s. Many of us skip the romance of Valentine&#8217;s Day altogether and opt for a platonic option like Galentine\u2019s or the gender neutral Palentine\u2019s. If this is more your speed, don\u2019t overthink your hangout; most of the ideas above can be altered to fit the vibe of your friend group.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 \u201880s and go roller skating. Galentine\u2019s 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some general tips for the perfect date night:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go out the day before or after to beat the crowds: Divorce yourself from the idea that Valentine&#8217;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.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make reservations <em>early<\/em>: There is nothing that ruins the mood more than poor planning skills. Reservations for many things can be hard to come by on Valentine\u2019s weekend, so stay prepared and remember, if it&#8217;s hard to make a reservation, it&#8217;s even harder to just walk in.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thought over money: When it comes to Valentine\u2019s Day gifts, the more thought that\u2019s 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.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be present: Dive deep into conversation \u2013 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Say the thing: Don\u2019t assume it\u2019s 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\u2019t have to be poetry, it just has to be honest.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I hope this guide to a perfect Valentine\u2019s Day helps, and you and your partner enjoy a night full of relaxation and memories. Until next time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Love,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cordia Paxson<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Cordia Paxson, Special to the Journal Take a deep breath in. *Inhales.* You smell that? What is that pleasant aroma? That\u2019s right. It\u2019s Valentine&#8217;s season and love is in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":4564,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-4577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4577"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4635,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4577\/revisions\/4635"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4577"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4577"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=4577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}