Valentine's Date Ideas For Every Relationship Stage
6 min reading time
Planning for Valentine’s Day can certainly end up being an arduous task, at any stage of your relationship. Whether you and your significant other have just started dating or are tied at the hip, mapping out the ideal date plan for you and your partner might require some planning and careful thinking.
To help inspire you to come up with the best Valentine’s Day date ideas this year, here are some relationship-specific tips we’ve put together to help make the planning process a little less tricky. We’ve also listed some of our favourite spots in The Village, where there’s bound to be something fun for those in any relationship stage.
If you’re in a new relationship
We’ve all been familiar with this stage at some point. Often referred to as the “honeymoon stage”, this is the fresh point in the relationship where everything is new, exciting and unknown. Of course, this often includes pressure to ensure your first Valentine’s Day with your new partner is perfect. For if it isn’t, then what does this foretell for the rest of your relationship?! *gasp*
While a great date idea might offer the chance to really kick off the relationship, keeping your V-Day plans low-key is usually the best approach if you’ve just begun dating and are still getting to know one another.
Toronto is a wellspring of exciting activities and resources, with one of the most well-known hotspots being the Church and Wellesley Village! The Village has an exciting range of places for food, culture and nightlife, making it a one-stop avenue if you’re looking to have a great Valentine’s night.
A night out at Pew Pew, Toronto’s first airsoft stage shooting range, might be a great place to take your new partner. The element of competition is a great way to spice things up! Of course, if you’d rather keep things more chill (and a step above Netflix), dinner and a movie are never a wrong move. Top-rated restaurants such as The Smith or La Cherie Bistro offer the perfect romantic sit-down experience. If you or your partner enjoy video games, sci-fi and all things geek, Storm Crow Manor is holding a three-course Valentine’s dinner special this year.
For those with a sweet tooth, Craig’s Cookies has the perfect line-up of delectable desserts in a cozy, bohemian-style nook. Whether you want to stop there before or after you have a bite to eat, they’re open until midnight!
While we know the dawn of a new relationship also brings added pressure to the fore, we suggest taking a deep breath, relaxing and keeping an open mind with what you choose to do with your partner this year. Whatever it is, we’re sure it will be great!
If you’ve been together for a while
This is the stage where you and your significant other have been together for some time, which means you’ll likely have developed an understanding of one another and have gotten to know each others’ likes, dislikes, pet peeves, weird habits and more.
If you’ve been with your partner for at least a year now, chances are that you’ve passed the honeymoon stage and that things between the two of you have experienced their fair share of ups and downs. On the flip side, however, you’ve probably figured out what their favourite things are at this point -- which might make for easier planning.
Is there a play or screening that you know they’ve been looking forward to seeing? The famous Rhubarb Festival will be running this year at Buddies and Bad Times Theatre, where you’ll get the chance to experience some of the most innovative works of theatre, dance and performance art in the city. For those who might like a sultry dinner combo, the Glad Day Bookshop is holding its Love/Again Valentine’s Burlesque and Dinner event this year.
If you’re looking for unique gift ideas for your special someone as part of your day in The Village, bring them to Grapefruit to check out our special curated collection -- including cards from MivoArt, Pig + Hen bracelets, Bon Parfeumeur and more.
If you’re married or in a long-term relationship
If you’ve been with your significant other for a significant amount of time, you’ve probably achieved ultimate comfort levels with each other. You’ve also probably got a wide breadth of dates in your relationship history (including a handful of Valentine’s Day memories up your sleeve at this point, too).
While such isn’t the case for every pair, many of those in long-term commitments experience falling into that famous spell where not every night is exciting like it was when the two of you first met. It happens to everyone. Don’t fret!
If you’re married or in a long-term relationship and are looking to reignite your spark this year, Valentine’s Day might be the perfect occasion to consider trying something new with your partner. Riddle Room hosts escape room challenges that are sure to give you and your partner a great chance to put your heads together. An opportunity for hands-on learning and creative problem-solving might be just what the two of you need!
On the other hand, maybe you and your partner have been working hard all week and need some R&R. If that’s more your style, Gesund offers massage therapy for everyone, including couples!
Another fun Valentine’s Day date idea might be to explore a bar crawl or hit up a local club (such as Crews and Tangos) and dance the night away! Stepping out of your comfort zone every now and then is necessary, and even better when done alongside the one you love.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to stop at Grapefruit and purchase something that is bound to excite your significant other. Perhaps consider a sexy pair of Wood Underwear for them to discover later on!
Visit Us at Grapefruit
Whatever the status of your relationship, we hope you make the most of your Valentine’s Day date this year and remember the true meaning of the occasion: showing your significant other that you love them.
From all of us at Grapefruit, we hope you have a happy and memorable Valentine’s Day in 2020. To learn more about our products, sales or promotions, contact us today!