Valentine’s Day

Sweet and simple to heartfelt and sentimental, these romantic gestures will win hearts and minds.

Create a playlist of songs that are special to the two of you. Use your modern “mixtape” as a sweet way to show your Valentine how much you care. Include his or her favorites, along with tunes that have meaning for you both.

Send your mate off to work with a goodie bag of croissants plus some colorful (and tasty!) macarons, and a thermos of coffee. Include a secret note inside the bag.

Pack a picnic basket filled with items you both enjoy, then choose a special place to feast on it – perhaps some off-season tailgating in the Brewers’ parking lot, or park in Lakeshore State Park and eat in the car, enjoying the expansive view of Lake Michigan.

Valentine’s Day cards are touching, but expected. Use Wisconsin’s winter terrain to your advantage. Write a sweet message in the snow, take an Instagram photo and tag your Valentine for a surprise.

Relive a favorite memory. Recreate your first date, from where you went to the food you ordered. Your sweetheart is sure to be impressed by all the little details you remember.

Tie a big red bow around a six-pack of your loved one’s favorite beer. Sure, champagne is romantic, but a true Milwaukeean will choose a brew over bubbly any day.

Spend an evening under the stars at Daniel M. Soref

Planetarium’s “Romancing the Stars” Valentine’s show. The planetarium date will take couples on a tour of the universe and its “constellations of love,” complete with a red rose and box of chocolates.

Lace up your ice skates and glide hand-in-hand through Red Arrow Park’s Slice of Ice rink. Afterwards, cozy up together with a hot drink at the Starbucks next door.

Say it with flowers. Add a big bouquet to any of the above, and make this Valentine’s Day one your sweetheart will never forget.