Staying In for Valentine’s Day: Experts Expect More At-Home Dates

While the COVID-19 pandemic was raging, the typical couple's date nights moved from evenings out on the town to cozier, more intimate time at home.

With restaurants, concerts, and movie theaters off the table, couples had to rethink how they spent time together. They cooked side by side, streamed favorite movies and shows, or tuned in to virtual concerts from the living room. Couples living far apart became pros at video calling.

Once the world reopened, classic date nights came back, but traces of lockdown still shape how couples plan their time.

“I think it makes sense that couples want to stay in this Valentine’s Day.”

Heading into Valentine’s Day 2025, experts think couples may want to take things a little slower this year. With couples growing more worried about the cost of consumer goods rising soon, they may try to save money by staying home this Valentine’s Day.

Count me among those joining the at-home Valentine’s Day trend. My partner and I are planning an elaborate meal, and we can't wait to focus on each other while we cook.

Dates at home give you quality time with your partner, a chance to prove you care by putting effort into the meal, and some savings along the way. These tips will help make your at-home date everything you hope for.

DIY Date Tips

The secret to a first-rate date at home is putting in time and planning. Warming up a frozen dinner in front of the TV isn't the same as dressing up, lighting candles, buying good ingredients, and cooking a thoughtful meal.

Emma Wilson, Editor-in-Chief at The Candid Date, agrees. “I love a cozy date night at home with my partner,” she told us. “I think it makes sense that couples want to stay in this Valentine’s Day and avoid the crowds, cold weather, and hassle in favor of a more intimate time at home.”

I suggest doing some prep work to create a restaurant-quality atmosphere. If time allows, tidy up a few days ahead and get the dining area ready. Light some candles and set out flowers if possible; fake ones work too.

Pick your menu well ahead of the meal itself, so you have time to shop for exactly the ingredients your recipe calls for. And remember dessert! My go-to dessert at home is a crumble, which is delicious, easy to make, and gentle on the stomach after a big dinner.

Not everyone can cook, which can make date nights at home tricky. You can always order favorites through UberEats or DoorDash, but the internet is also full of great, simple, beginner-friendly recipes. For a nice dinner, I always lean toward seafood, so a dish such as Seared Scallops or Linguine with Clams would tempt me.

Prefer a daytime date? Think about planning a picnic. Pack charcuterie and drinks, and maybe flowers too, as a sign of how much you care. Just keep an eye on the forecast, since February can get chilly!

“The most important part of a Valentine’s Day date isn’t what you eat or where you go, it’s the thoughtful gestures and little touches you make to show you care,” Emma reminded us.

Depending on what you both like, you and your partner might plan date night together and split up the work. One person handles dinner while the other covers dessert and drinks. This way, you each get to show love, and no one ends up shouldering too much.

Virtual Dates for Long-Distance Couples

Miles between you and your partner? A lovely date online is still possible. Video calling is now an easy, highly effective way to stay close to a significant other. In my view, it allows much more intimacy and connection than texting or phone calls alone.

“Video dates aren’t for the faint of heart. You’ve really got to put the effort in,” Emma said. “When I was engaged to my husband, we were on opposite sides of the country, and it took a lot of coordination to get a virtual date night planned!”

Virtual dates, like in-person ones, are whatever you make of them. Leaving a FaceTime call running while you each do chores lets you share space, but it's different from deep conversation and undivided attention.

For busy couples, a video date this February might be easier to fit in.

During the long-distance relationship phase of our romance, my partner and I had a lot of dates over FaceTime. In some respects, I think those dates did more for our relationship than in-person ones would have, since every minute went to conversation and really getting to know one another.

If you're both after it, video dates can lead to deeper conversations. Sometimes a video call is just a quick check-in to see each other's faces, but blocking out intentional, scheduled date times lets you invest in your relationship and enjoy quality time together.

“For many couples, spending some romantic, quality time at home together is a rarity and a treat.”

If a virtual Valentine’s Day date is on your calendar, think about planning some fun activities to share over the phone. My partner and I had regular coffee dates in the daytime and weekly movie dates, and both kept us busy together while we were apart. Other options: sync up a movie with a video-syncing app, eat dinner together over video, or play conversation games for couples like Couples Connect and Let’s Get Deep.

Spending a holiday apart from your significant other always stinks, and on Valentine’s Day most of all. But because video calls are so easy, you can feel almost like you're in the same room, even with thousands of miles between you.

And living far from your partner doesn't stop you from sending a sweet gift or some treats! Consider having flowers or sweets delivered to their home on Valentine’s Day, or mail them a present.

Chill Out This Valentine’s Day

Who says Valentine’s Day has to happen at a fancy Italian restaurant? The holiday is all about connection with your partner, so spend it however feels right to the two of you. For many couples, that probably means saving a little money and relaxing together at home.

Is there a movie you've both been dying to see but can never find time for? Could you use an excuse to drop the kids off at a friend's place and finally have some time alone? Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity.

“It’s much more cost-effective to stay home for date nights,” Emma said, “and it can be a lot of fun as well. All you need is a great recipe, a romantic movie, or a fun activity to get going.”

For lots of couples, romantic quality time at home is a rare treat. Don't feel like going out is something you have to do on Valentine’s Day; choose whatever suits you and your partner best.