The most romantic date on the calendar is on the horizon. While your lack of organisation skills may have resulted in a lack of plans this year, it isn’t too late to pull off a last-minute, romantic miracle.
Fretting about how to pull off such a seemingly impossible, eleventh-hour feat? Not to worry -we’ll show you how to plan an ultra-spontaneous yet thoughtful celebration that will leave your partner impressed, never suspecting a thing.
1) At Home Cook-Off
As the archaic saying goes, the way to a man’s heart is supposedly through his stomach (we propose an amendment to this sentiment by suggesting that the way to anybody’s heart is through their stomach). So it only makes sense to cook up a storm on Valentine’s night to really kick the romance up a notch.
Key to injecting your culinary date night with a little more excitement is to transform your cooking session into a friendly (or not so friendly, you decide) competition; instead of whipping up supper together, bake/ fry/ cook the same meal separately, then decide on the winner once you’ve devoured your food. Increase the overall Valentine's vibe of the evening by playing music, lighting candles, and popping open a bottle of vino.
2) Moonlit Cinema
Turn your backyard into a super cosy outdoor cinema and give “Netflix and chill” a romantic upgrade. Pick a spot under the stars—bonus points if it’s near a tree for that extra dreamy vibe—and pile on the cushions, blankets, and throws. The more layers, the better!
Prop up your laptop (or borrow a projector if you’re feeling fancy) and pick a film you’ll both love—cheesy rom-coms encouraged! Don’t skimp on the wine and snacks either. A cheese platter, some choccies, or a big bowl of popcorn will totally seal the deal. Matching pyjamas or fluffy socks? Optional, but highly recommended.
With just a little effort (and a lot of cushions), you’ll have the perfect Valentine’s date that looks like you’ve been planning it for weeks. No one needs to know it all came together last minute!
3) At Home Date Night
The ultimate saviour to your unplanned Valentine’s Day woes can be found in AmazingCo’s At Home Date Night experience. Throughout this experience (which is digitally sent to your email as soon as you purchase it), you and your partner will spend the evening solving a number of clues and riddles, the answers to which detail a different activity, game or challenge to partake in.
The activities are fun and fortunately void of cheesiness - there’ll be no awkward ice-breaker style games here so you’re in for a genuinely nice night, all from the comfort of home.
You’re welcome.
4) Stargaze
Let’s talk about stargazing, shall we? It’s an activity that doesn’t get nearly enough credit in the date night playbook. Stargazing is romantic. You’re both staring into the great dark abyss, with millions of glowing celestial bodies doing their starry thing right before your eyes.
It’s also ridiculously easy. Just look up, find some stars, and you’re golden. And let’s not forget—it’s genuinely good fun.
Where you stargaze is totally up to you. Set up in your garden with blankets, pillows, and some outdoor candles. Or head to a nearby park with a picnic spread in tow.
Fair warning—staring at the endless sky for hours can lead to some deep thoughts. You might find yourself contemplating life, the universe, and everything in between. And all that thinking? It’s bound to make you hungry. So, bring along some snacks and a bottle of vino to keep the mood light.
5) Spanish Night
It’s safe to say everyone loves Spanish food (we have no stats to prove this, but we’re pretty confident). Think mouthwatering share plates of fried octopus, juicy olives, and refreshing jugs of sangria—what could possibly top that?
This Valentine’s Day, experience la vida loca from the comfort of home by hosting a last-minute Spanish night. It’s ridiculously easy to pull off and oh-so-fun! Picture tapas, Spanish music, and cocktails setting the mood for a night to remember.
While it may sound like a lot to organise, it’s actually a breeze. The internet is bursting with quick and easy tapas recipes—many of which you can whip up in under an hour. And for the soundtrack? Spotify is packed with options, from acoustic, ambient flamenco tunes to high-energy reggaeton beats.
6) Craft Beer Tasting Night
If all the pubs are booked out on Valentine’s day, fear not - organise your own craft beer tasting night all from the comfort of home.
Simply stock up on a number of indie, craft beers from your local bottle store (the more they claim to taste like things that should definitely not be found in beer, the better) and pour them into small glasses, like a flight.
Secure pens and paper to jot tasting notes down on, light some candles, order from your local pub if they offer takeout (it’ll be good for the economy) and get underway with sipping the most romantic night on the calendar away with your partner.
Special shoutout to pees in Melbourne: we have an even easier, low-effort idea for you. Book our Sidedoor Tasting for your Valentine’s Date. Here’s the deal: you’ll head to a secret city venue for a five-plate degustation menu, each dish paired with a glass of wine that perfectly complements the flavours. But it’s not just about the food. Throughout the evening, you’ll enjoy digital games and fun conversation starters to keep the mood light and playful.
And the best part? Your night doesn’t have to end there. You’ll score an exclusive discount at a nearby venue, so you can keep the good vibes going.
