5 Original Valentine’s Ideas
We believe that Valentine’s Day should be more relaxing than your average day. Traditional activities, like going out for dinner can be needlessly hectic and expensive endeavours.
So, we’ve taken a look at some activities that are quieter, more distinctive and more original than the usual chocolates and dinner lark.
1. Picnic at Home
This one is as romantic as it is easy. Clear your living room floor, light a fire (or play a video loop of a fire via YouTube), and pack a picnic basket.
The beauty of this idea is that a picnic basket is filled with cold, easy to prepare snacks; Parma ham, pâté, crackers, quiches, dessert and – of course – a chilled bottle of Coole Swan.
2. Have a Themed Dinner & Movie Night
Here’s something that’s become a theme with some cinemas and restaurants and is easy to recreate at home. Choose a romantic movie to watch together and prepare (or order!) a meal or dessert that goes with the movie. It might be a meal that characters in the movie enjoy, or one that’s appropriate to the film’s theme or location.
All of the movies below are inspiring and/or romantic, and we’ve chosen easy-to-prepare dishes to give you time to enjoy both the food and the film!
Examples include:
– Lady and the Tramp with Spaghetti and Meatballs
– Good Will Hunting with Gourmet Burgers
– Chef with Cuban Sandwiches
– Bridesmaids with Carrot Cake
– When Harry met Sally with Pastrami and Rye Sandwiches
Naturally, Coole Swan would make a perfect digestif for all of these meals!
3. Become a Tourist in Your Own Town or City
It’s easy to take your home for granted, but chances are, people travel from all over the world to enjoy where you live.
Valentine’s Day is a nice opportunity to take in a local attraction that you’ve been ignoring. This might be a walking tour (day or evening), a guided bus tour (again, day or night) or even a spooky tour.
Or you might spend the day (or night) at a museum or gallery. That could be anything from the Titanic Museum in Belfast to the National Gallery in Dublin.
Of course, this time of year, you should also check your local city for romantic tours: for instance, Dublin has a Historical Romantic Tour for Valentine’s Day.
4. Get Back to Nature
This is, of course, weather permitting, but there are several lovely, romantic things you can do as a couple that involve nature.
Take a stroll among the magnificent creatures in the National Stud (which also has a Japanese garden and butterfly farm); try the Mayfield Birds of Prey Falconry in Waterford; or have a wander through Fota Wildlife Park, Dublin Zoo or our favourite, Coole Park.
For gentle strolls, anything with a tree canopy can be very romantic (and a handy source of shelter!). Lough Key in South Dublin or Phoenix Park (by the Chapelizod entrance) both provide natural shelter, especially if the leaves have started to grow back in time for February 14th.
Alternatively, you can go for a more vigorous cycle or hike through any one of your local parks or mountains.
5. Go Star Gazing
We often forget to stop and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, and when it comes to the cosmos, that’s definitely the case.
If it’s a clear evening, you can buy a telescope, read a stargazing guide and find a quiet, remote place to take in the night sky (that might even be your back garden). If possible, you might even like to visit an observatory, like Dunsink or Blackrock Castle.
Coole Swan – just add romance
Coole Swan is emerging as a hugely popular drink for unwinding at home. As such, it works as a perfect accompaniment to a night in or as a nightcap after a romantic evening out. It works beautifully on its own, as part of a Coole Swan cocktail or even on top of vanilla ice-cream. We’ll leave the serving suggestion up to you.
