Valentines Day is just around the corner. In the Alps, we are blessed by our natural surroundings, making everything look fabulous. This 2021 Valentines Day will be a little trickier with the ongoing restrictions of the Covid pandemic.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t still take care of ourselves and our loved ones this Valentines. We revisited our Valentines post from 2020 to see what has changed in a year and how we can adapt our plans for this winter.

The Classics

Get rid of the Kids! Hmm … it might be trickier in 2021!

Looking into a babysitter or childcare might not be an option this year. Your childcare suppliers might be closed right now. Your go-to family or friends that would look after children might be isolating or unable to visit. So we thought about some options that might help :

Trade-off with your partner. If you are part of a couple, then perhaps this is the Valentines for self-care. Perhaps you take sole responsibility for some time for your partner to do what he wants. Then they return the favour for you to enjoy some alone time.
A midnight party! Not just from the days of Enid Blyton. If the only time you get some peace is when the kids are fast asleep, then plan something for then! The fun and silliness all add to the enjoyment. Think a lounge picnic, a bath together, stargazing or just enjoying a film together - but to spend that time focused on one another.
If you are “bubbling”, look to exchange some babysitting with other parents
Screentime! We know, frowned upon, but if you and your partner want to enjoy an adult dinner together and some screen time will help. DO IT!

The Body

At-home services are still operating (at the time of writing this!) So at home, well-being such as massages and yoga may still be an option for you. Massage Me’s therapists can deliver Valentine’s wellbeing right to your doorstep.

Lunch or Dinner - more tricky this Feb

Restaurants might be closed but are often still providing takeaway. If you are busy and unable to create a beautiful meal for you and your loved one, perhaps order a tasty treat. It’s also a great way to support a local business.

Food and dining is also something really great to do if you are separated from one another. I have friends that Zoom chat weekly to get together, create the same meal in their separate homes, and then sit down “together” to enjoy their meals together.

Don’t forget you can always get treats delivered to a loved one to let them know you are thinking of them. My mum sent me some homemade jam with a personal label which means I think of them every time I use it.

Mountain Memories

One of the great things about Covid is it hasn’t affected how beautiful the mountains are! You can still make beautiful memories. A lot of the mountain activities are still running but perhaps in a reduced fashion. You can still :

Skidoo
Parapent
Superluge / sledge tracks
Zipline and snowcart
Iceskating

Have a look at your local area to see what specific activities are still running. You will find that the ski resort teams will be operating as much as possible, whether it’s entertainments for kids or grown-up activities.

The Best Things In Life Are Free

Truer than ever in 2021. If this difficult year has taught us anything, it is what is really important to us. Last year we suggested things like :

Snow writing messages to loved ones
Snow picnics
Walks and hiking
Ski touring and split-boarding

All of these things are still possible, so you can head out and explore the mountains at your leisure. We’ve got a great post on activities in the mountains whilst the lifts are shut. Check it out for some inspiration.

Some new things are new or different for Valentines 2021. Things we might not have considered last year.

Online / Zoom quizzes

Something that has really taken off this year during the confinements. This can be a great way to link up with a family or friend group. A good way to make it a bit more manageable is to ask each attendant to take a different round. That way, everyone gets to play host.

Virtual meals

Getting together virtually for a meal can be quirky and fun. Whether you are all sitting down to the “same” meal or your own personal choices, there is a lot of fun to be had with this idea.

Virtual classes

Most instructors have taken their skills online now. Why not enjoy online a cocktail class, a wine tasting evening, a jewellery making class … the list is endless.

Create a “theme” day

The theme can be hearts, love, nature, Spanish or French. Then create the day around that. You can play games, set activities for kids, cook meals and snacks around that idea. If you really want the kids’ buy-in on this idea, a great mum hack is to ask them to set the theme.

Host a virtual Valentines party

You might not be able to visit your favourite bar or restaurant. But perhaps this is the perfect time for you to be the host! Invite all your loved ones and get creative. You can also do this for a group of children. Think of setting them activities like home scavenger hunts to get the mall active and having fun together whilst apart.

Send some Valentine’s cards.

This is a classic but one of the best! Take some time to make some cards for your special people. Again, the kids can get involved with this one too - there is nothing most grandparents love more than getting homemade crafts from their grandchildren!

Livestream a concert or comedy event

The hospitality and events industry has become incredibly inventive during the past year, whilst many theatres and venues have been closed now for nearly a year. Heading online, you can find so many options to support and follow your favourite artists and performers.

Valentine's Day 2021