3 Sweet Ideas to Make Your Valentine’s Day Awesome

A single light bulb along a string with a heart-shaped filament glows against a twilight sky.

Christmas is over, New Years has passed, and before we know it, Valentine’s Day will be here. A day of contention between couples and singles, however the purpose of the holiday is centered on love, and how much you cherish your special person ❤️

I’m all about the romantic, mushy gushy stuff, so here are a couple of sweet ideas to make your Valentine’s Day awesome!!

The view from the passenger seat of a car driving alongside a frozen canal in winter, with a set of tire tracks in the snow in front. It's a clear day with some clouds in the sky, and the sun is shining out of the frame to the right.

1) Plan a special Date Night

Okay, so this is a no-brainer. You think of valentine’s day, you think of dinner out. Or something. But really think about your relationship and what you guys LOVE to do, instead of defaulting to the norm.

Do you enjoy going for long drives in the middle of nowhere with hot chocolate to sip? Do you get takeout and go out stargazing? Or do you cook a lovely homemade meal that your partner LOVES, put on some soft music and light a few candles, and share an intimate, indoor picnic together?

Really highlight something you and/or your partner really love to do and elevate it in a super romantic way.

A floral arrangement of white, orange, and red flowers, and lots of greenery, in a small compote, set in front of a white backdrop.

Gorgeous floral arrangement by Thistle & Sage Creative; though they don’t offer everyday floral services, Thistle & Sage does do some holiday arrangements, so definitely watch out for those!!

2) Be Intentional with Flowers + Chocolate

So, these can be pretty cliché. Besides a romantic dinner out in a restaurant, chocolate and flowers are typically the highest bought gifts at Valentines Day. I mean, besides jewellery, anyway. Instead of choosing the ordinary, find something extraordinary.

Instead of your typical red roses, purchase a flowering rose plant that lasts far longer than a bouquet of cut blooms. Or, if you really do want a bouquet, opt for silk florals instead. They last longer and can be put on display as an awesome décor piece.

If you really want to spoil your sweetheart with an arrangement, check out your local florists and purchase a unique piece that speaks to how much you truly love your partner 😉

(Check out some super talented florists here: https://hueflorals.com/ - https://www.brooksgreenhouses.com/ - https://www.thistleandsagecreative.com/)

And with chocolate, yes, it’s absolutely divine to indulge, but why not opt for something more than just a box of store-bought confections. Make your own chocolate with all their favourite flavours, adding a twist to show them how much you truly listen and care to their preferences.

(Check out some luscious chocolate recipes here: https://www.ecolechocolat.com/en/chocolate-recipe.html)

Cakes or cupcakes are always a lovely upgrade to simple chocolates too, and most towns have amazingly talented bakers who can cater to requests like that. Some places also offer fruit bouquets, which are often chocolate covered fruit options, and are such a different option as well.

(Some amazing cake artists: https://www.instagram.com/cakes_by_mandyd/ - https://www.instagram.com/cakesbyjenyyc/ - https://www.instagram.com/bakemydayyyc/)

Our local coffee shop in Brooks offers fruit bouquets, so check them out here: https://www.instagram.com/thesteamingcup/)

With local artisans, make sure you put in your order well in advance so you can guarantee you’ll have something for Valentine’s Day.

A couple stands together looking at the camera in front of a rushing river and a mountainous landscape.

3) Gift an Experience over Items

Trust me when I say I love tangibles. Gifts is my main love language (alongside Quality Time) so receiving little trinkets or heartfelt items really makes me feel loved. But if this is something your significant other doesn’t enjoy, why not consider an experience? Something like a day out on the town, playing tourist and exploring all it has to offer. Or a couples’ spa day. If you’re adventurous, you could organize a flight over your area, or a helicopter ride somewhere high in the mountains. Or, go super simple and go out somewhere you both haven’t been before.

Out in Canmore, you can take sled dog tours, which is a super awesome idea if you want something different!!

(Sled Dog Tours: https://www.snowyowltours.com/

Quickway Air Services: https://www.quikwayair.ca/)

4) Bonus: Book a Photo Session

Another really special option is to book a photo session. Nothing screams love more than wanting moments with your honey immortalized for life. This is something you should consider if you’ve been together for what feels like ever and intend to stay together for your entire lives.

And the beautiful part? You can incorporate every option above into a photo session. Speak to your photographer ahead of time to make sure you can book a slot and organize something wonderful to celebrate your love for one another.

A man is down on one knee proposing to his girlfriend in front of a mountain lake with a large mountain behind them.

Shot as associate for Justine Russo Photography

(If you’ve been looking to pop the question, doing so during a photo session would be incredibly sentimental as well, and mean so so much to your partner. If this is something you want to do, message me because I’ve shot many surprise proposals before, and I would LOVE to be part of that 🤩)

A photo of a lighbulb with heart-shaped filament is set in a polaroid style frame while the title "3 Sweet Ideas to make your valentine's day awesome" is beside it.

There are so many other ideas you could put into practice for making Valentine’s Day sweet, from gifts to experiences to something simple that just speaks volumes.

I’d love to hear if you have other ideas, or what you decide to do instead 😉

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