15 Creative Ideas for Celebrating Valentine’s Day at Home
Maude founder Eva Goicochea shares her favorite ways to celebrate everyone you love—including yourself
by Team AGNPWhile some pandemic-life constraints have eased in the past months (at least we aren’t being told to have sex with a wall in between anymore), the circumstances surrounding this Valentine’s Day are rather extraordinary.
Couples have been spending more time together than any person signed up for—stuck in tiny apartments, without the natural rhythms of commutes and work days to create moments of reconnection at the end of the day. For those who went into the pandemic single, dating has become even more challenging than it was before. And many have missed major life milestones, including delayed, canceled, or straight-to-Zoom weddings.
We’re advocates of using this Valentine’s Day as a chance to refresh the important relationships in your life—whether that’s reigniting intimacy with a partner, showing extra care for loved ones, or deepening your connection to yourself.
For inspiration on how to best do this, we turned to Éva Goicochea, founder and CEO of Maude and longtime friend of AGNP. “I’ve always been impressed with Éva’s insightfulness," says AGNP founder Patrick Janelle. “I love that, with Maude, she’s focused her attention on making what is often unspeakable—sex-thoughtful, accessible, and inclusive”
“Turn the mundane hallmarks of the pandemic into opportunities to refresh relationships”
Another reason to rejoice in sex becoming less taboo: We can finally talk about the integral role that sexuality plays in our well-being. “We're seeing less of compartmentalization of sex and intimacy from other parts of our life,” says Éva. “There's a realization that sexual health is so closely tied to mental health and physical well-being.”
Which brings us to celebrations. Even in normal times, we don’t subscribe to the teddy-bears-and-long-stem-roses version of Valentine’s Day. So this year, we’re seizing the opportunity to turn the mundane hallmarks of the pandemic—like watching a movie or grabbing takeout—into opportunities to refresh our relationships, and thus, our well-being.
Here are some of Patrick and Éva’s favorite at-home Valentine’s Day ideas to celebrate your significant other, your friends and family, and yourself.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with your partner(s)
1. Play some mood music
One of the simplest ways to set the vibe is with the right notes, tones, and melodies. Éva and the team at Maude created a number of playlists for this very occasion, including Nightcap (a smooth jazz playlist with Billie Holiday & Kat Edmonson), Classic Love (swelling with romantic vibes from Otis Redding and Nina Simone), and La Dolce Vita (leaning into Amalfi Coast vibes, Italian classics).
For slightly more energetic beats, check out Talk is Cheap (an indie-heavy collection, featuring Bob Moses, Poolside, and Chet Faker), Lovefool (showcasing 90s jams from U2, The Cardigans, and Dido), and Maudern Love (an upbeat mix that Patrick would play during an underwear dance party).
2. Turn up the heat with your partner(s)
“We are firm believers in starting the night right, whether it's a calming dip in the tub or intimate massage,” Éva says. “Our all-over oil is perfect to incite touch while doubling as a blend for baths.” If it’s been a while since you’ve felt some spark, add some steam with a massage, followed by a shared bath. “The tub might be the best place for a next-level tête-à-tête.”
3. Cook a romantic meal or treat
On the bright side, lockdown means you don’t have to agonize over getting the ideal reservation at an impossibly popular restaurant. And if you love to cook, bake, or mix drinks, all the better.
Start early with breakfast in bed, then devise a snack with red and pink ingredients (think: watermelon radishes, beet puree, pomegranate seed-topped salads). Chocolate-dipped strawberries are a timeless treat, and you can put a Valentine’s Day twist on mimosas with pomegranate juice. Also, when it comes to romantic meals, drinks, and desserts, Éva reminds us that chicken is actually an aphrodisiac. That roasted chicken dinner doesn’t seem so boring now, does it?
4. Dine by candlelight
Can you remember the last time you dined by candlelight with someone you love? It may sound cliché, but it’s popular for a reason. Patrick recommends investing in some new candlesticks (try these from Home 52 or Pottery Barn) and turning everything else down to a low glow. For bonus points, try to mirror the ambiance of your favorite restaurant by getting crafty with decorations and menus. Some fine dining restaurants even have pickup and delivery options, so you can even skip cooking if you choose. Just be sure to plate on your own dishes if you choose the takeout route.
5. Spice up bedroom intimacy
When it comes to exploring new limits, Éva’s advice is: “Don’t let the night end.” Maude's Nightcap Kit has drink mixings and sex essentials for two. Keep in mind that, as general interest kink continues to rise, education has become more accessible. With the right resources, you can explore new worlds and fetishes in a smart, safe way. Start with Maude's beginner's guide to BDSM.
6. Get scent-ual
Maude’s burn candle is the perfect way to zest things up with your partner. When the cedar and lemongrass—scented wax begins to liquefy, extinguish the flame and slowly pour the warm liquid onto skin or apply directly with your fingertips. Patrick is also a big fan of activating the senses with some olfactory stimulation—try hanging eucalyptus in the shower for a spa-like steam, or indulge with some of AGNP’s favorite aromatherapy oils (Tata Harper for an invigorating zing, True Botanicals for soothing bliss).
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with friends, family, and roommates
7. Craft memories with the kids
If you have children, you may have extra motivation to put a special touch on the holiday. “When I was little, my dad always made homemade pretzels in the shape of hearts for the family on Valentine’s Day,” Patrick says. Try creating your own family tradition with heart-shaped chocolate chip pancakes or brownies.
8. Elevate movie night
Éva suggests you “cozy up with maudern movies,” and if your movie nights have been a bit tired as of late, liven it up! Turn your living room into a cinema with your loved ones by whipping up your favorite drinks, popcorn, and snacks, and embarking on a movie marathon of best romantic comedies (Êva’s favorites are 90s rom-coms like Stealing Beauty and Never Been Kissed). Her tips: Embrace escapism with these out-of-this-world films, or dive into the past with dramas of the golden age.
And if you’re watching movies with your partner(s), Patrick has an idea to mix things up a little: Turn the watch party into an underwear party, no top layers allowed.
9. Know your sappy limits
If you’re feeling anti-Hallmark come V-day, Patrick proposes making snarky conversation hearts with your friends. Write the messages on food such as pancakes, cupcakes, and Rice Krispie treats, or on paper cutouts if you’re more drawn to crafting.
10. Take on a fun project or class
According to Éva, being stuck inside leaves little to the imagination, especially when work and play happen within the same four walls. Try a virtual museum tour or a cooking class with a loved one, or take a page from Patrick’s book by tackling an at-home pottery kit or a classic recipe like beef bourguignon.
11. Share the love
Partnered, single, or somewhere in between: No matter your relationship status, it feels good to extend joy to the people you love. Remember secret admirers in grade school? Patrick suggests sending gift cards or care packages to friends ahead of time, then revealing your identity on V-Day. A little surprise goes a long way.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day by yourself
12. Take yourself on a date indoors
Valentine’s Day, wintertime, and a pandemic can exacerbate your isolation, particularly if you’re single, but that doesn’t disqualify you from self-care. Concoct an epic evening, treating yourself like your dream partner. Follow Patrick’s lead by grabbing a half bottle of wine and takeout, then read Éva’s advice on flying solo during a national romance fest. Or, try one of her favorite me-myself-and-I date ideas: sitting outside, on your fire escape, or curled up in a comfy chair with a good (and possibly steamy) read from this book list.
13. Try a DIY wine tasting or dinner theater
Food lovers and oenophiles, you don’t need a plus-one to enjoy the finer things. Patrick endorses planning an at-home wine tasting (using Wine Folly as a guide) or trying Bollywood Kitchen: a virtual, interactive dinner theater.
14. Relax with CBD
If Valentine’s Day (or just life in general) has you feeling tense, destress with some cannabis. Patrick likes CBD gummies, oils, capsules, and topical creams that can set the tone for a languid, carefree Sunday.
15. Get creative with flowers
Get yourself some decidedly unbasic flowers. Patrick recommends making a bodega flower arrangement—part activity, part personalized gift—ordering Eternity Roses from Venus et Fleur (our favorites arrangements are Le Mini and the heart-shaped box), going over the top with Flowerbx red tulips, or sending love to both your valentine and Mother Earth with the Love, Beauty and Planet x East Olivia plantable flower delivery.
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