COSRT’s Jo Coker offers some hints and tips on how to enjoy this lockdown Valentine’s Day:
St Valentine’s day has its origins in the historic Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was held in mid-February and celebrated the coming of spring and fertility rites. This was replaced in the 5th Century with St. Valentine’s Day which was celebrated as a day of romance from about the 14th century. Today it is marked every year on February 14th, and it is a day when lovers express their affection with cards, gifts, and celebrations.
This year’s Valentine’s Day will be very different due to COVID and lock down. So how can we keep romance alive in COVID times when we cannot go out and possibilities of entertainment are reduced. Here are a few tips!
- It is a Sunday so capitalise on this and start the day with breakfast in bed! Treat your partner to a lie in and tea and toast or their favourite treat. Make time to chat and plan some fun for the day, put that phone away!
- Get out and exercise together, go for a long walk whatever the weather, and then come home to a hot drink and chat!
- If you have young children get them down early and then have time for yourself, not always easy but try it is important to keep your love alive.
- Dress to impress! We have all got used to being a bit scruffy in lockdown as we have nowhere to go and no-one to impress, so come on let’s put something glam on for our partners and make an effort.
- Think about preparing a meal together, listen to music and chat and reminisce as you do it. Play your favourite tunes and drink your preferred tipple.
- Have a movie night with a golden oldie!
- Have sex! Make time to really be with your partner and enjoy their company and your relationship. Ban all phones and devices.
- Play wishes, hopes, and dreams, talk about what these are and how you would like your life to be. It may be a trip you always wanted to do, or a move, let your mind be creative. Lockdown and COVID have changed us all and made us think differently share these thoughts.
Valentine’s day 2021 will be different but with a little thought and effort we can express our love and still have fun.