Expressing gratitude toward the ones we hold dear has never been more important. After 2020 brought the global community some of the gravest challenges of the century, we’re left in a new year—with good things lingering on 2021’s horizon. And one of those things is just around the corner: Valentine’s Day, the perfect excuse to celebrate love, connection, and our favorite people. While we can’t recommend jetting off all over the world right now, we have a few tricks up our sleeve to help you come up with some meaningful ways to show your love this Valentine’s Day.
Related: Have a Romantic Valentine's Day Date at Home With These Virtual Experiences
From giving your significant other a secluded getaway at a luxury resort to showering your family with all the goodies necessary for a fabulous movie night at home or giving a close friend an at-home pampering, these Valentine’s Day experiences are all about manifesting the love, baby.
For the Wine Connoisseurs
Make Valentine’s Day an elegant affair this year with a virtual wine tasting, tour, or classes—activities that have become de rigueur due to the pandemic. Find out which region the recipient is most jazzed about, and surprise them with a few bottles and a professionally guided taste and/or vineyard tour.
To buy: $43, torciano.com (Tuscany); $580, azurwinetours.com (Provence); $385, closduval.com (Napa Valley)
For the Movie Buffs
What could be sweeter than giving all the luxe components for the perfect night in? The best part: a tricked-out movie night is ideal for celebrating Valentine’s Day as a family, solo, as a couple, or with your quaran-pod. Pick out an annual subscription to gift, like HBO Max; send over rose-scented candles ($38, net-a-porter.com) and cozy pajamas ($195, scullyandscully.com (men); $195, lalignenyc.com (women); $58, maisonette.com (kids)). Last but not least, finish the gift off with this stove-top popcorn maker from Sur La Table ($80, surlatable.com).
For the Beauty Babe
Any beauty enthusiast knows that Dr. Barbara Sturm’s line is the holy grail of skin care products—and Dr. Sturm herself is all-knowing. Sign the beauty guru in your life up for a complimentary, one-on-one 20-minute expert skin consultation with Sturm’s team, and take it the extra mile with the Nighttime Set ($900, drsturm.com) and an especially romantic duo: the coveted Laruce Beauty brush bundle paired with a bouquet of La Fleur roses (Available February 1, $299, lafleurbouquets.com). After all, it is Valentine’s Day.
Related: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Her
For the Wild at Heart
Head over to the National Park Foundation for a list of romantic outdoor adventures that place our great national parks at the center of the experience. Put together a care package consisting of an epic pair of new hiking boots ($360, rei.com (women); $380, rei.com (men)), some luxury camping gear and provisions for the trip ($75, patagonia.com). If you’re feeling particularly over-the-top, surprise your loved ones with this customizable 10-day national parks journey via private jet with TCS World Travel (From $45,800 per person, tcsworldtravel.com).
For the Lovebirds
This over-the-top luxury getaway is ideal for couples hoping to take a mini-trip while staying socially distanced and safe. The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences in Richmond, Rhode Island couldn’t be a better setting for a romantic escape, and the “Preserve Your Romance” package ensures total privacy and access to the most luxurious amenities imaginable. Guests will be transported via private Blade helicopter to and from NYC, enjoy a two-night stay in a luxury home, a lifetime Preserve Club Membership, multiple on-site private shopping experiences, outdoor activities, and private classes and dining. The coolest part? The guests will become the owner of their very own designer tiny home, designed by award-winning architect Jeffrey Dugan. During the couple’s stay, they can select furnishings and final treatments on their new home.
To buy: Package rates from $1,000,250.
For the Snowbirds
For those who don’t want to miss the annual pilgrimage to a sunny destination this winter, the partnership between Le Sereno St. Barth and private jet operator Tradewind Aviation is just the ticket. Safe, private, and indulgent as can be, travelers will fly via luxury private jet charter to Le Sereno, where they will settle into one of the striking beachfront villas (which come with a private garden, pool, and a complimentary half-day boat charter on a 47-foot catamaran, of course).
To buy: Price upon inquiry.
For the Francophile
Champagne, chocolate, and hand-picked French products: does it get more romantic than this? Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day by experiencing the world’s most romantic destination from the comfort of home. The Francophile in your life will love testing out all the goodies that come with a Oui Please subscription ($650 annually, ouipleasebox.com). This box full of authentic French products is the perfect complement to a Chandon virtual Champagne tasting ($110, chandon.com), and, of course, it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without chocolat, courtesy of none other than La Maison du Chocolat ($198, lamaisonduchocolat.com).
For the Foodie
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to plan an over-the-top dinner (with drinks, of course). Foodies will rejoice upon learning about this private virtual truffle cooking class with Truffle Shuffle SF. With options like seared steak with truffle and wild mushroom, black truffle risotto, and truffle mac and cheese, the digital class includes all meal ingredients in addition to an ounce of truffles and cocktail mixers, all shipped right to the recipient’s door.
To buy: $125, truffleshufflesf.com
For the Dog Lovers
Weekapaug Inn’s “Private Puppy Love” package is the quintessential New England escape. Guests will stay in the property’s secluded carriage house suite, sip Cristal, walk along the beach, stargaze in the evenings, and—wait for it—take home a goldendoodle puppy (recipients will be screened prior to the stay). In addition to bringing home the new love of your life, the package includes a puppy starter kit, private dog training sessions, a professional photography session, and a Volvo XC90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid SUV to take home.
To buy: Package rates from $94,795
