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No need to make reservations — 40 ideas for Valentine's Day at home, starting at $5

Try these ideas for a romantic date night.
Bring the romance home with these Valentine's Day ideas.
Bring the romance home with these Valentine's Day ideas.

This year, Valentine's Day lands on a weekday, meaning that you have to find time to celebrate post-work and maybe after putting the kids to bed. Instead of rushing out for a romantic restaurant dinner or splurging on a weekend getaway, opt for a Valentine's Day celebration at home.

You've probably held plenty of date nights in your living room over the past few years, so it may take some creativity to make this one feel extra special. To inspire your planning, we rounded up the most fun and memorable ways to spend your Valentine's Day, from decor that will liven up your space to virtual classes and romantic dinner ideas. All you need to do is pick out the perfect outfit and get ready for a romantic night in with your S.O.

At-home Valentine's Day ideas

Franklin Sports Pickleball Set

If you live in a fair-weathered state, take date night to the backyard and let friendly competition ensue, thanks to this pickleball set. One reviewer loves this set for its "great quality," while another notes it's the "perfect size" for either a driveway or backyard patio.

Uncommon Goods Paint Your Person Class

By the end of this 90-minute class, you and your partner can reveal to each other the watercolor masterpiece of them you painted. Whether your artistic talent is limited to stick figures or you have Picasso-like capabilities, you can opt to purchase the supplies on your own or opt for them to come in the mail before the class.

The Ultimate Game for Couples

You can also try this popular game, which comes with plenty of thought-provoking questions and challenges for partners. You can play it one-on-one or host a double date night and compete with your friends.

Tulip Tie-Dye Kit

Tie-dyeing may seem like a summer activity, but hear us out! Doing a creative activity like this can be a fun way to get to know a different side of your partner. As long as you have the space (it may be a little cramped in a teeny apartment), it's a fun activity to do together. Alternately, if you do have a small space, you can focus on smaller items like socks or other accessories that won't need as much space to dry!

Twister

Remember how much fun Twister was when you used to play with your friends as a kid? Recreate that childlike fun by playing with your partner. Warning: maybe start the evening with it so no one gets injured after too much wine.

Nintendo Mario Kart

If you have a Nintendo Switch, may we humbly suggest buying a digital copy of Mario Kart for a night of racing with your favorite characters? Whether you're playing as Princess Peach or Yoshi or Evil Luigi, this is bound to give you two an evening of laughs and perhaps come friendly competitive trash-talking.

Paint 'n Sip Live

This fun virtual live paint and sip class is a different way to do date night at home! All the materials you need are shipped to you, so you don't have to worry if you don't have art supplies already. You can choose one of their upcoming musically themed classes (like Caribbean, hip-hop and more), and if you and your partner enjoy it, you can sign up for an unlimited pass!

Earise Karaoke Machine

Have an evening of karaoke with your partner at the hottest karaoke spot in town — your living room! With fun LED lights and two wireless mics, you can sing the night away from the comfort of your couch. All you need now is a disco ball and a bucket of beer.

Cozy Meal Virtual Brazilian Brigadeiro Chocolates Class

Learn how to make these classic Brazilian chocolates with this one-hour virtual class. This is a live class, so it's fully interactive and questions are welcomed. Around two weeks before your class, you're sent a kit with everything you need to make your brigadeiros!

Let's Stay in Tonight Date Night Box

This date night package has almost everything you need to have a cozy Valentine's Day evening at home. It includes s'mores fixings, a tabletop "fire pit" for roasting marshmallows and Romance Matches that have conversation starters, date ideas and more to deepen your relationship.

Everything Eiffel, Modern Monet Paint by Numbers Kits

This kit makes it easy to create your own artistic masterpiece. Choose from a variety of destinations to paint, like the Eiffel Tower or Greece. While you can do this activity solo, it also makes for an exciting date night.

Our Moments Couples

You've probably spent a lot of time together over the past year, so it may feel like you've covered almost every topic under the sun. Spark some fun conversations (and maybe even learn something new about each other) with this couple's card game. The cards include prompts like "What's something you've tried that you'll never, ever try again?" and "What have you lost since childhood that you'd like to regain?" Whether you've been together for years or just started dating, it'll make a fun addition to your night of quality time.

Mouth All the Snacks Box

You don't have to go all out for Valentine's Day: A night snuggled up together on the couch with Netflix and a glass of wine can be just as romantic as any big hoopla. This kit includes an impressive lineup of snacks, from popcorn to candy, to fuel your movie night.

Vinebox Valentine's Day Date Night

Get the European wine tasting experience delivered straight to your doorstep. You'll each get a box with three single-pour vials filled with white and red wines from vineyards across Italy, Spain and France. The company is currently offering free two-day shipping on all orders of $70 or more, so the boxes should arrive well ahead of your celebration.

Bean Box Deluxe Coffee and Chocolate Tasting Box

Wine tasting not your thing? You can start your romantic day with a coffee tasting from Beanbox's deluxe coffee and chocolate tasting. Each of the eight included coffee flavors (you can choose between grounds or whole beans), each of them paired with an artisan chocolate bar for a delicious tasting experience.

Cocktail Kit Gift Set

Put your bartender skills to the test, and spend the night whipping up a variety of cocktails with this set. Each small box includes the ingredients and instructions for popular cocktails like a gin and tonic, Moscow mule, old fashioned and more — just add alcohol. Each one makes three to six servings, so you'll have plenty left over for fun nights ahead.

Rogue Creamery Cheese Plate

Want the full tasting experience? Grab this charcuterie package from the famous Oregon Rogue River Valley establishment, Rogue Creamery. You'll get a selection of cheese and meats, along with pear preserves, chocolate, olives and flatbread. Enjoy it along with your go-to bottle of vino!

Masterclass Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking II: Restaurant Recipes at Home

Masterclass has endless celebrity-led lessons that you and your partner can explore together, but Gordon Ramsay's cooking class is the perfect choice for your date night. You'll learn how to make 13 restaurant-inspired dishes, including fried branzino with Thai chili lettuce cups, pomme purée, Szechuan roasted whole chicken and more. Pick a few to make together on Valentine's Day and then save the rest for another night. Plus, with your Masterclass membership (which costs $15 per month, billed annually), you'll have access to more than 150 other classes from celebrities like Mariah Carey, Natalie Portman, Roy Choi and more.

Valentine's Day dinner ideas

11-Inch Heart-Shaped Aluminum Tray

Whether you use this aluminum pan for creating a large heart-shaped cookie or a heart-shaped pizza to share, you get a good cooking date night out of it either way.

Uncommon Goods Date Night Fondue Set

No matter if you fill this with melted cheese or creamy chocolate, this kit comes with a heart-shaped container and a wooden serving tray for finger foods that can be dipped and dunked. One reviewer notes that this kit is a "very fun way to enjoy a date night in."

Butcher Girls Brunch Kit

Have breakfast for dinner! This package of local meats includes sausage links, bacon and a dozen fresh eggs. They send cooking suggestions and recipes to get the most out of your meat, and this serves around four to six people, so you can save some of the uncooked meat and eggs for later in the week! Round it out by pouring some mimosas and cheers to being adults who can eat breakfast for dinner whenever they dang well please.

CucinaPro Heart Waffle Maker

If you are going to have breakfast for dinner, don't overlook this adorable waffle maker that'll make five heart-shaped waffles at a time.

Williams Sonoma 3 Days of Gluten-Free Entrees

If either of you are gluten-free, you'll love these delish meals from Williams Sonoma. They're all pasta dishes (mac and cheese, lasagna rolls and stuffed pasta shells), which can be particularly hard to get right when done GF — but these are from the renowned vendor Manini's that makes consistently high-quality gluten-free fresh pastas, heat-and-serve meals and flour. Heat up all three for a real feast, or choose one and save the others for later!

Tony Boloney's Famous Pizza Making Kit

Making pizza together is far more romantic than simply ordering from your favorite delivery spot. This kit from Tony Boloney's provides you with all the base materials to create your own pizzas, including dough, sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni and more. For families, kids will have a blast getting in on the fun and trying their hand at becoming mini pizza chefs. The kit comes with enough to make four 12-inch pizzas, so there will be plenty to share.

Sushi Making Kit

If you'd normally make a reservation at your local sushi restaurant for date night, turn it into an activity and roll your own. This kit comes with detailed instructions on how to make sushi rice and create the perfect maki. Grab your go-to fillings at the store and get ready to start rolling.

ISiLER Pasta Machine

Alternatively, you can try your hand at making your own restaurant-quality pasta at home. This affordable pasta maker has an average 4.4-star rating from more than 4,800 ratings, with some reviewers noting that it's great for beginners. Dress it up with pesto and tomatoes, or go gourmet and try this recipe for tagliatelle with roasted crab.

Fly By Jing Hot Pot Starter Set

You've likely seen Fly By Jing's cult-favorite sauces pop up on social media. But the brand's Hot Pot Starter Set is just what your at-home date night deserves. You'll get everything you need to create a delicious hot pot meal in your own kitchen. The set comes with an electric hot pot, two slotted spoons, two sets of chopsticks and two of the brand's spicy hot pot base packets. Just add vegetables and protein and you'll have a mouthwatering meal!

The Original PieCaken

For a sweet end to your date night, order a legendary PieCaken from the PieCaken Bakeshop. Layers of pecan pie, pumpkin pie and spice cake, with cinnamon buttercream and topped with apple pie filling make for for a delectable dessert. You'll have enough for the whole family: the cake serves up to 16 people. Thankfully, the company says that it freezes well, so you can save any extra slices for the next special occasion, too.

Valentine's Day decor

Hearth and Hand Stoneware Heart Mug

Whether your valentine prefers to sip hot cocoa, coffee or a hot mug of tea, they'll surely enjoy it being served in this stone heart mug from Target. "These mugs have great style and quality," said one reviewer, with another one saying that it adds "a nice vintage farmhouse vibe to the ceramic clay."

Sips By Heart Mug

For decor that can stay on the coffee cart year-round, opt for these double-wall heart mugs, where the interior lining takes the shape of a heart.

Meri Meri Heart Honeycomb Decorations

Get festive with this set of six honeycomb hearts that can hang out anywhere in your living room for an especially dressed-up at-home date night.

Daisy Gees Heart Lowball Glasses

These lowball glasses are perfect for your cocktails or mocktails. And, thanks to the subtle heart they can be used year-round since they don't scream Valentine's Day.

World Market Brass Frame

How cute is this frame? It's the minimalist way to do V-Day decor. Frame a sweet photo of you and your partner and keep it up all year — the shape would make a great addition to a gallery wall to break up all those squares and rectangles.

Proper Table Co. Waller Red Chambray Placemat

We're obsessed with these genius placemats — they have the look of fabric but are in fact acrylic, so they're super easy to wipe down for ease of use. This red chambray would look great on your Valentine's Day table, complete with a yummy spread. They also make coordinating coasters and you have the option to purchase bundles, as well!

H&M Home Glass Candle Holder

Set the mood with candlelight! These nifty candle holders can hold a tea light on one end and if you flip them over they can hold a taper candle. Stack 'em up for a taller candle holder, or group a bunch together for romantic dinner lighting.

Homesick Love Letters Candle

Set the mood for your romantic night in with this candle. It features "notes of lemon and sandalwood softened by rose petals and peonies," for a scent that's practically as sweet as your loved one.

Embellished Raffia Heart Wreath

Wreaths aren't just for Christmas. You can hang this one on your door, window or wall to add a subtle touch of Valentine's Day flair to your space. Unlike a bouquet, this wreath will never wilt, so you can leave it hanging all year long.

Love Neon Sign

Neon signs add a cool, vintage feel to your home and this one is perfect for Valentine's Day. It's battery-operated, so you can hang it virtually anywhere in the house.

UrbanStems The Vera

No Valentine's Day feels complete without a bouquet. Although your S.O. may be gifting you one on the big day, you can buy some for yourself ahead of time to brighten and add color to your space. This medley includes the classic combination of pink and red roses, along with some mini carnations.

Love Pillow Cover

Love is in the air and in your home decor. Celebrate the holiday with a rustic pillow cover to throw over your bed or couch pillows. Get it with just the heart or opt for the "love" design.