How to have a COVID-free Valentine’s Day

After everything that we’ve been through these past few months, one would have thought that Valentine’s Day would be the last thing on most Filipinos’ minds.

Surprisingly, the signs say otherwise. Various restaurants remain fully booked for romantic dinners on V-day, especially those that offer multiple course menus for couples. Chocolates and flowers remain in demand, as people try to arrange deliveries for their loved ones. Even hotels and resorts are abuzz with activities for the couple or family looking to get away and enjoy the long weekend.

But if you’re one of those who prefer to stay at home in light of the continuing pandemic, do not fret. You can still enjoy the most romantic time of the year without having to risk life and limb all in the name of love. Here are some budget-friendly, yet swoon-worthy ways you can get some love this coming Day of Hearts.

A picnic in your backyard or at a park is a great alternative to eating out on Valentine’s Day. PHOTOS BY AR. VITTORIA MAWIS-ALISTON

Enjoy breakfast in bed

Is there a better way to say “I love you” than through food? If your loved one is the type who can’t choose between a yummy meal and a lazy day’s sleep, allow them to enjoy both by whipping up a homemade breakfast for the two of you.

Partner some pancakes with berries, or spruce up your tray with some fresh roses or tulips. If your special someone is the more health-conscious type, plan ahead and make a bouquet of colorful fruits cut in the shape of flowers. This would not only bring a smile to your beloved’s face, but it will also strengthen their immune system against those pesky viruses.

Freshen up your home

While cleaning may not sound romantic at all, going home to a sweet-smelling house might just be what your husband needs to be in the mood for love. As Valentine’s Day falls on the weekend, you can take your time to clean your house, change linens and spread some aromatherapy scents. Remember also to wipe frequently-touched surfaces.

Spread some health and love with flower-shaped fruit bouquets for your loved ones.

Have a picnic in the backyard

While a dinner on a hotel roof deck might be the ultimate Valentine’s moment, it’s always the company that matters. If you still want some cherished moments with your significant other, family or friends this romance season, set up an afternoon picnic outdoors. If you happen to have a spacious yard where you can breathe in fresh air while still maintaining some privacy, you’ve got the perfect venue. A nearby park could also work, as long as you maintain proper social distancing from other visitors in the area. The outdoors will be good for you and your loved ones, and it reduces your chance of catching airborne diseases compared to being in enclosed spaces.

Do virtual dates

Sky’s the limit when it comes to the internet. If your significant other happens to be miles away from you, now is the perfect time to try a virtual date. While not seeing your loved one face to face might seem a bummer, you can actually have fun with the various activities available in online chat rooms and video conference applications. Just keep an open mind, maybe a glass of champagne nearby, and you won’t even have to dress up in your high heels to party the night away.

Spruce up your home with some fresh flowers to spread some love scents in the air.

Relax and enjoy

Take the pressure off yourself when it comes to celebrating love this coming holiday. Our current situation in the middle of the pandemic reminds us that it’s the immaterial things in life that really matters. At the end of the day, you don’t need to execute grand gestures just to show people your affection for them. If you show that you care for them on a regular basis, you don’t need to bring out all the fireworks on Valentine’s Day at all.

Sources: Latimes.com, Deseret.com