Overview
Valentine's Day has a way of sneaking up on us. Held just as the year gets going (hello, back to school), it's easy for plans to turn into a last-minute scramble. If you have kids, this feeling triples. Valentine's Day often brings a babysitter cancellation, a late meeting, daycare germs, or a sudden realisation that leaving the house together isn't happening. But staying in on the most romantic night of the year doesn't have to mean settling for baked beans on toast. With the right moves, a date night at home might even be the most romantic plan of all.
Let Someone Else Handle Dinner
Fewer takeaways may have been one of your New Year's resolutions, but a last-minute Valentine's Day date is a good excuse. Ordering food from your favourite restaurant via a delivery app like DoorDash means no cooking, no washing up, and a real 'treat yourself' moment. With the weight of "What's for dinner?" taken off your shoulders, your date night at home is off to a great start.
Focus On Atmosphere, Not Grand Gestures
Not everyone needs grand romantic gestures — especially not exhausted parents who are just trying to get through the day. Your at-home date night doesn't need a full set re-design, but rather, a few signals that the night is more special than the average. Get rid of daily clutter and set the table properly (maybe even with the fancy crockery), dim the lights, light a candle or two and swap the TV background for music. These small details can help elevate your night from just another evening into a romantic date night. If you realise that something is missing from your evening, whether that be a bottle of wine, flowers or their favourite chocolate, DoorDash also offers fast and reliable delivery for any last-minute needs.
Use The Flexibility To Your Advantage
Staying in means there's no schedule to adhere to: no restaurant reservations, concert start times, or babysitter curfews. You can eat earlier, later, or in stages if your kids are little. This flexibility can sometimes be a relief for parents managing it all. Once the house is quiet, spend the evening however you please, whether that be with a board game you've been meaning to get to, a movie on the couch, or just staying up chatting without distraction.
Keep Expectations Realistic
As with New Year's Eve, the pressure around Valentine's Day often stems from trying to make it exceptional. But by staying in and making the night your own (last-minute or otherwise), you can take the pressure off the evening and just enjoy each other's company. Because, as many parents know, sometimes having no plans can be the best plan of all.
Head to DoorDash to see what restaurants are available in your area this Valentine's Day.
Image Credit: Supplied and Getty Image