How to prepare for Valentine’s Day while doing long-distance

With Valentine’s coming up, people in relationships are getting excited and planning cute, fun date ideas for the 14th. Unfortunately for me, this year I will spend this holiday away from my boyfriend, but that doesn’t have to mean a sad thing! Here are a few ideas that I’ve come up with to celebrate Valentine’s Day Long Distance Style:

1. Have a Video Chat date!

It could be over FaceTime or Zoom, and you guys can dress up and have dinner together in your respective locations! You can also download some Google Chrome add-ons to watch movies together simultaneously, like TeleParty from Netflix or Scener for any streaming service. You could even look up games online and play together while video-chatting; I recommend Sketchful.io or a virtual escape room game!

2. Have someone deliver something to your partner.

If any family member or friend lives nearby your significant other, ask them to go get something as a favor. It can be candy, flowers, or a little something that will make their day. If this option isn’t available for you, have a delivery service do it for you. It can be dinner via Postmates or flowers via a flower delivery company, you get the idea.

3. Write a virtual love letter.

Handwritten love letters are always the best, but if you’re long-distance, go crazy on Canva! Choose a cute template, pick out a pretty font, add different elements or photos, and you’ve got yourself a virtual love letter! Make sure to write something meaningful that comes from the heart.

4. Be present throughout the day.

Keep in mind that Valentine’s can be a day that can make your partner a little sad because they miss you and wish they could spend the day with you, so be thoughtful and send them messages throughout the day to let them know you’re thinking about them. This will make your significant other feel loved and appreciated.

5. Host a Galentine’s.

If the time difference is an issue for a video chat date, get together with your dearest friends and celebrate together. Back in Mexico, where I’m from, we describe Valentine’s day as “the day of love and friendship”, so why not have a cute date with your friends? If you’ve got no idea how to do #Galentines, search it up on TikTok! Tons of girls are going above and beyond, doing different types of lunch/dinner dates during February. It definitely looks fun and aesthetically pleasing.

Although Valentine’s is a cute, little tradition that’s been going on since the year 270 C.E. (common era), nowadays it’s used as a form of capitalism, so don’t give it too much thought or let it define your mood! Valentine’s can be great if you don’t take it too seriously, just maintain good communication with your partner, and enjoy yourself.

I hope these ideas come in handy for you for the approaching holiday! :)