How To Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Each Stage of Dating

Love is in the air! Whether you’re single, dating, or in a committed relationship, it’s hard not to think about dating on Valentine’s Day. If you’ve only been on a few dates with someone or are in a new relationship, you might not know how to plan Valentine’s Day dates. How do you know if your planned date on Valentine’s Day is too much or not enough?

It all depends on which stage of dating you’re in with the person you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day with. We’ll go over Valentine’s Day activities and gifts that are appropriate to celebrate Valentine’s Day at each stage of dating, from the early stage of dating to long-term relationships. Let’s make Valentine’s Day 2023 your best one yet!

First Few Dates

In the first stage of dating, when you’ve only had one or two dates, it might be a little too early to plan a date on Valentine’s Day. If you want to continue to go on dates with this person, at least acknowledging the day is appropriate. It would be a bit off-putting to totally ignore the day entirely if you’re interested in seeing where things go.

Sending a short and sweet text saying something like, “Happy Valentine’s Day! I’ve enjoyed our dates so far, looking forward to the next one!” or a simple “Happy Valentine’s Day” will suffice. Take the opportunity to at least show you were thinking of them on that day and that you have a romantic interest in them in these early stages of dating someone.

Talking Stage

This stage of dating is when you can officially say you’re “talking to someone” or “seeing someone,” meaning you see potential in a future committed relationship with them. This can be after you’ve had anywhere from around three to ten dates with this person. It’s clear you’re into each other, but you’re still deciding if it’ll become a long-term relationship. 

Planning fun Valentine’s Day dates at this stage can include Valentine’s Day activities

like a game of mini-golf or bowling to make it more low-key. Much less pressure than trying to get a reservation at a fancy restaurant! If you want to get a gift for your date on Valentine’s Day, keep it simple. A tasteful bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates works great. 

Making it Official

At this stage of dating, you’ve both decided you don’t want to date anyone else and you’re ready to turn this into a committed relationship. It varies when this can happen, but it’s usually anywhere from dating for two to six months. If it goes longer than that without acknowledging that you two are exclusive, you’ve likely found yourself in “situationship” or “friends with benefits” land. 

This is the most exciting time to plan a date on Valentine’s Day—your first one as an official couple! Some Valentine’s Day dates you can plan together could be a night out to eat at your favorite restaurant followed by a movie. Alternatively, it could be just as romantic to stay in, cook each other a meal, and watch a movie at home. The go-to flowers and chocolates are perfect here—add a Valentine’s Day card with a heartfelt message for that extra personal touch.

Long-Term Relationship

Once you’ve been in a long-term relationship for a few years, or even if you’re engaged or married, you’ve probably planned your fair share of Valentine’s Day dates! Giving gifts to your partner, big or small, is always appreciated, and a Valentine’s Day card can go a long way to keep that romance alive. Switch things up from the usual going out to dinner route and get creative for Valentine’s Day activities!

Plan a weekend getaway for just the two of you (without the kids, if you have any at this point!), recreate your first date, or plan a cute picnic at a local park. Try a paint and sip class—they often have fun couple-themed classes available, especially close to Valentine’s Day! Stay creative and think outside of the box so your Valentine’s Day dates continue to be fresh and fun year after year. 

Long-Distance Relationship 

If you’re dating someone who won’t be in town for your date on Valentine’s Day, you might have to miss that special day together in person. Making a long-distance relationship work can be hard, but you don’t have to skip enjoying Valentine’s Day together. Instead, celebrate with virtual Valentine’s Day activities!

You might be wondering how to celebrate Valentine’s Day virtually. There are a few different ways you can do this. Choose a movie you both want to watch, and you can watch at the same time with your streaming services. You can also both buy ingredients to cook the same meal together over a video call or order your favorite takeout and eat it together . Make your Valentine’s Day 2023 extra special by mailing your partner a Valentine’s Day card and a gift in the mail, or send flowers and chocolate to their doorstep on the day!

Enjoy Your Valentine’s Day Dates

It’s important to remember that Valentine’s Day activities should be fun and lighthearted! Don’t try too hard to impress your date on Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day dates are meant to show you care about the person you choose to date and spend your time with.

It’s nice to make them feel special and appreciated on Valentine’s Day, but don’t feel like it’s a make-or-break moment. After all, you should show you care more than just one day of the year in a healthy relationship! Make this day count, but don’t treat it like it’s the be-all end-all of your relationship if it doesn’t go perfectly.
If you’re feeling the love this Valentine’s Day, join the Heart Appeal Community to gain valuable advice and insights on every stage of your love life, from the early dates to marriage. Learn more on our website and become a member!