Valentine's Day Ideas for an Unromantic Partner

In recent times the crass commercialization of Valentine’s Day is enough to make a sane man or woman shudder at popular expectations of what lovers should do and especially buy, to express their affection for each other. This further puts off a partner who is by nature on the practical side and has no time for mushy sentimentality. Even then you need not worry about Valentine’s Day coming and going without doing something special with your beloved – here are a few Valentine’s Day ideas for the unromantic partner that are sure to strengthen the bond between you two without giving way to sappy sentimentality.

A shared hobby

Pursuing a common interest would be a great way of spending Valentine’s Day together without getting all lovely-dovey. It keeps the focus of the date firmly on the hobby so that there are no awkward intimacies or uncomfortable silences. However this works best when you already know what your mutual interests are. Say you met your partner at a hobby class or at a music shop when browsing through the jazz section. In case of the latter, you could decide to spend the evening n at a place which is famous for its jazz musicians; again if you both are connoisseurs of spirits, how about attending a wine-tasting event for a date. You will not only have an enjoyable evening with your partner but are even likely to pick up several useful tips on various aspects of entertaining with wine. This way an evening planned around a mutual interest or hobby is a great idea for those who are uncomfortable with the overpowering sentimentality of Valentine’s Day but still wish to spend time with each other.

Do something together

A variation of the above idea, this Valentine’s Day idea is perfect for couples who prefer a higher level of activity in their dates. Date ideas which are structured around an activity have the advantage of keeping the focus on doing something together. It is thus less stressful and awkward, than say a dinner or a movie where you are suddenly thrown into an intimate space. If you are looking for inexpensive, activity-based dates, bowling is a popular choice; others could be mini-golfing or even hitting the ice-skating rink since in mid-February many places still get a fair amount of snow. On the other hand if you don’t feel like venturing out in the cold wind, attending a yoga class or a craft class could be another way to spend a great evening provided you are sure your partner’s interests too run that way. By doing something together, you are certain to bond with each other getting overly romantic.

The outdoors beckon

If you are lucky to have good weather around the time, spending of Valentine’s Day out in the open can be a great way to have fun with each other; at the same time the outdoor context allows the non-romantic partner to avoid the embarrassment of a mushy date. You could hire a couple of bikes and explore the countryside or visit the historical attractions of your town. Alternately a hike down mountain trails could be an enjoyable way of spending an afternoon together. When tired, you both can stop for a quaint inn by the wayside or dig into a packed lunch by a gurgling stream. For less physically strenuous date ideas, you could take your partner to an amusement park or even the zoo. These are places where a lot of enjoyable and interesting activities are usually lined up and there are even food courts and luncheon areas where visitors can grab a bite.

Cheer along

It is quite likely that a partner who balks at the idea of a moonlit drive will get genuinely enthusiastic if you suggest spending a day at the stadium. Most guys like sports as it is and this can go down as a great Valentine’s Day idea for your not-so-romantic partner. See what games are scheduled on that day and then take your date to catch one that he/she would enjoy. Only keep in mind that it may be difficult to get tickets for the big games like the ones playing professional basketball or football teams. However, it can be just as fun to watch the lesser known teams in action and in fact college or high school teams often generate a greater level of interest because of local support.  This way you can have an exciting evening as you cheer for your favorite players and get swept by the action, all without getting romantic in any way.

Look for local events

In some places with warm climate, February has already begun to usher in spring which is why these towns and cities will be hosting numerous street fairs, cultural festivals and concerts-in-the-park around the time of Valentine’s Day. These venues can not only make great date ideas on this special day but best of all, are easy on the pocket too. Most of these events offer free entry or charge only a very nominal fee. Moreover such places are usually buzzing with a variety of activities like rides, acrobatic performances, games, musical gigs and of course food stalls. A day spent at such a fair or festival will be highly enjoyable and what’s more you the public context will make sure that the non-romantic partner is comfortable.

Tag along friends

If you want to keep your Valentine’s Day really casual, a great option is to go out with mutual friends or maybe another couple you get along with. For instance you all could drop in at the local comedy club or go tobogganing, if it has been snowing. The best part of such all group outings or a double date is that it keeps the atmosphere light and the attention equally distributed among all partners. Such dates have a practical advantage as well since it enables you to share costs or make bulk bookings at discounted rates. Follow it up by stopping at a café for some hot chocolate or some other warm beverage and you are sure to have the perfect ending to the most amazing Valentine’s Day.