Valentine’s Day is coming up, shining the light on unforgettable quality time with friends and loved ones. With many people trying to find the perfect Valentine’s Day plans,  here are nine ideas that  you can consider doing for Valentine’s Day this year.

IDEAS FOR COUPLES

1. Take The Metro to Lincoln Theatre

Getting dressed up, buying flowers for a partner, and accompanying them to the theatre is just about as romantic as it gets. With the grand opening of the Metro Silver Line extension on Nov. 15, 2022, the District of Columbia is more accessible to Rock Ridge students than it has ever been. Many centers for art in D.C. host festive performances specific to Valentine’s Day festivities. Lincoln Theatre is one of them. The art collective Story District is bringing a V-Day special “Sucker For Love” to the stage, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. If you leave from Ashburn Metro station by 5 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, you’ll have plenty of time to take the Metro to the U Street-Cardozo station and arrive just steps away from Lincoln Theatre. In addition to “Sucker for Love,” affordable entertainment is available in D.C. at the Kennedy Center, the 9:30 Club, and Union Stage. 

      2. Bake Festive Cookies Together

Nothing is sweeter than your sweetheart, but you can get pretty close! This Valentine’s Day, consider greasing up the pan and pulling out those classic festive Pillsbury sugar cookies. Want to take it further? Baking from scratch is a fun way to bond with your partner and create lots of memories. From the grocery store to the counter, the oven, and ultimately your stomachs, following a new recipe can be both fun and informative at the same time. There’s something especially romantic about the art of baking: it’s delicate, intentional, and sugary. Even if you botch the recipe, you’ll never forget the time you and your lover spent together. 

      3. Have a Picnic Date

Looking for something fun and simple? A picnic is peaceful and a relaxing date that you can do with your partner. Bring some delicious foods such as sandwiches, fruit, salads, and other quick meals with you to eat while you spend quality time with your loved one. You can also bring fun games to play outside such as checkers, chess, and card games that will keep you occupied and amused. Within the District of Columbia, there are many magical spots such as Georgetown waterfront, Meridian Hill Park, Chrysalis Vineyards, and Theodore Roosevelt Island that are pleasant and relaxing for a picnic. If you’re looking for options nearby to Rock Ridge, you’d be remiss not to consider Legacy Park in Brambleton, and Ida Lee park in Leesburg. 

      4. Exchange Gift Baskets

Gift-giving is a nice way to show someone how much you appreciate them. You can go to a number of local grocery stores such as Target, Walmart, or Harris Teeter and buy items for your partner that they love. This is called a Valentine’s Day burr basket. Make the basket look very cute and presentable to exchange. You can put candy, skincare, flowers, blankets, and other miscellaneous items inside that are meaningful. Valentine’s Day burr baskets are an easy and fun way to give your partner gifts on this special day.

      5. Take a trip to Tysons Corner Center 

In just ten short stops from Ashburn’s Metro, a half-hour’s drive would grant you access to a plethora of food and shopping options. Tyson’s Corner Center in McLean has anything a couple could ever ask for: from Wasabi, a rotating sushi bar, to the latest in beauty at Sephora, and any gift you could wish for at Bloomingdale’s. Not only is Tysons a great place to spend the evening itself, its location is a hub for culture in Northern Virginia, as it is equidistant to some of the most esteemed local restaurants in NOVA such as L’Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls and Ristorante Bonaroti in Vienna. If you’re feeling extra fancy, take a walk to Tysons Galleria, the sister mall of Tysons Corner Center, which is home to designer boutiques like Prada, Marc Jacobs, and Ralph Lauren. 

IDEAS FOR SINGLES

1. Go to a Nice Dinner with Friends

Dining out at a fancy restaurant on Valentine’s Day is an affordable and fun way to bond with your friends. You can order a nice meal and have good conversations with your friends, creating plenty of memories. Eating out is a fun and simple way of socializing and catching up with close friends. Restaurants such as Yard House, Mi Vida, Bond 45, and North Italia are the most popular restaurants that people gather at for Valentine’s Day.

      2. Getting a Massage

Valentine’s Day is full of love, and treating yourself to a massage is the perfect way to relax and reduce your stress. With the amount of hard work that people are constantly doing, it’s nice to feel a sense of peace and loosen up your muscles. Take part in a long, relaxing massage to reduce pain and stress, and clear your mind from anything draining going on in your life. King Spa in South Riding, Virginia, is full of amenities and activities that you can participate in alone or with friends. A spa will keep you occupied and relaxed for hours.

      3. Plan a Staycation with Friends

Staycations are a fun way to partake in a number of activities while still being in your local area. The National Harbor has plenty to offer such as live music, boat rides, and paint and sip bars that you can do with your friends. You can never get bored when you’re at the National Harbor. They are also hosting several parties and game shows downtown for people who love a good thrill. There are many activities to choose from with them being at an affordable price and a good time of the day. This is a fun way to have a good time during Valentine’s Day. With the three-day weekend approaching, you can even fit in more activities to celebrate with your friends.

      4. Bake Desserts with Friends

Baking is a fun activity to do at home, and doing it with friends is even better. The app “Pinterest” is full of recipes and ideas of what to bake for Valentine’s Day. Baking with your friends is a good way to bond and have a good time together. Some nice treats to bake for Valentine’s Day are strawberry cake pops, raspberry and cream cookies, sugar cookie cups, and strawberry cake. There are also things you can make that require no baking such as rice crispy treats, strawberry mousse, and fudge. These are all fun Valentine’s Day-themed recipes that you can make.

All of these events are the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day and use this time to celebrate the day of love. Show how much you appreciate the people in your life and yourself by participating in one of the most relaxing and amusing days of the year.