Experts Predict More Valentine’s Day Dates Will be at Home This Year

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most couples saw their date nights change from going out on the town to connecting more intimately at home. 

Without restaurants, concerts, and movie theaters, couples were challenged to reimagine their time together. Couples cooked together, streamed their favorite movies and shows, or listened to virtual concerts from their living rooms. Long-distance couples got better at video calling.

When the world opened back up, traditional date nights began again, but the vestiges of lockdown remain in the ways couples plan their time.

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

As we head into Valentine’s Day 2025, experts believe that couples may be looking to slow down a bit this year. Couples are increasingly concerned about a soon-increasing cost of consumer goods, and thus might be trying to save money at home this Valentine’s Day. 

I, for one, will be joining the trend of at-home Valentine’s Days. My partner and I have an elaborate meal planned, and we’re excited to focus on each other as we cook. 

At-home dates can be a great way to spend quality time with your partner, show how much you care through the effort you put into your meal, and save a bit of money in the process. Follow these tips to make sure that your at-home date is everything you want.

The key to a top-tier date at home is to put time and planning into it. Heating up a frozen dinner and watching television is not the same as lighting candles, dressing up, shopping for nice ingredients, and cooking a deliberate meal. 

“I love a cozy date night at home with my partner,” said Amber Brooks, Editor-in-Chief at DatingAdvice.com. “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 recommend you try to create a restaurant-quality ambiance by doing some prep work. If you have time, clean the house earlier in the week and set up your dining area. Light a few candles and put out flowers if you can. Fake flowers are fine too.

Decide what you want to cook well in advance of the actual meal. That way, you have time to go shopping and get the exact ingredients for the recipe you want to make. And don’t forget dessert! My favorite at-home dessert option is a crumble: It’s tasty, simple, and easy to digest after a big dinner.

Not everyone is a chef, which can make at-home date nights tricky. While you can always order your favorite foods via UberEats or DoorDash, there are also plenty of great, simple recipes to try online that are beginner-friendly. I always gravitate toward seafood for a nice dinner, so something like Linguine with Clams or Seared Scallops would call to me.

If you prefer to have your date during the day, consider planning a picnic. You can put together drinks, charcuterie, and even flowers to show your partner how much you care. Just check the weather: February can get cold!

“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,” Amber reminded us.

Depending on your preferences, you and your partner may want to plan your date night together and divide tasks accordingly. One of you can take care of dinner while the other prepares drinks and dessert. That way, you both have the opportunity to show love, and neither of you needs to take on too much responsibility.

Even if you live far away from your partner, you can still enjoy a wonderful date together online. Video calling has become an easy and highly effective way to connect with a significant other. I’d say it offers far more room for intimacy and connection than just texting or talking on the phone.

“Video dates aren’t for the faint of heart. You’ve really got to put the effort in,” Amber 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!”

Just like in-person dates, virtual dates are what you make of them. Having FaceTime on in the background while you and your partner do chores is one way to be in each other’s presence, but it’s not the same as having deep talks and giving your undivided attention. 

When my partner and I were in a long-distance relationship, we had many dates over FaceTime. In some ways, I felt that having these dates actually improved our relationship more than in-person dates would have because the entire time was spent talking and actively getting to know each other. 

Video dates can result in deeper conversations if you’re both going for that. While sometimes, video calls can just be a way to check in and see each other’s faces, carving out intentional and set date times is a great way to put effort into your relationship and spend some quality time together.

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

If you have a virtual Valentine’s Day date coming up, consider planning some fun activities to do over the phone with your partner. My partner and I had set coffee dates during the day and movie dates once a week, both of which were great ways to give us something to do together while we were far apart. You can always watch a movie together through video-syncing apps, eat dinner together over your video call, or play conversational dating games like Couples Connect and Let’s Get Deep. 

It’s always a bummer to be away from your significant other on a holiday, especially for Valentine’s Day. But the ease of video calling makes it possible to feel almost like you’re right there, even when you’re thousands of miles apart.

And just because you live far from your partner doesn’t mean you can’t give them a sweet gift or treats! Consider ordering flowers or sweets to their house on Valentine’s Day or shipping them a gift in the mail.

Whoever said Valentine’s Day has to be at a fancy Italian restaurant? Valentine’s Day is all about connecting with your partner, so couples should spend it however feels best for them. For many couples, that likely means saving some cash and enjoying some relaxing quality time together at home. 

Have a movie you’ve been dying to watch together, but can’t find the time? Need an opportunity to send the kids to a friend’s house and finally get some time alone together? Valentine’s Day is a great chance for that.

“It’s much more cost-effective to stay home for date nights,” Amber 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 many couples, spending some romantic, quality time at home together is a rarity and a treat within their relationships. Don’t feel like you have to go out for Valentine’s Day — do what feels best for you and your partner.