VALENTINE’S DAY 2021: THE TECH YOU NEED FOR A ROMANTIC WEEKEND
There’s no denying Valentine’s Day will look a little different in 2021. With restaurants closed in many parts of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic and international travel all-butbanned, this February 14 will be a more lowkey affair. We’ve put together some strategies to help you enjoy a romantic, memorable Valentine’s Weekend using your phone.
EXPERIENCES FROM YOUR PHONE
Wherever you are in the world, the chances are that this upcoming Valentine’s Day will be more subtle than in previous years, with most of the usual activities canceled or out of reach due to the ongoing pandemic. Though couples would typically flock to Italian restaurants and movie theaters, or perhaps even book a weekend getaway to Paris, we’re forced to be more imaginative and creative this year. The good news is that our smartphones can help us. For couples who are spending time away from each other this February, whether to be closer to family or for work, there’s Facetime to keep your company. You could spend an hour or two enjoying a virtual Brunch, choosing your favorite breakfast items and eating them together whilst you catch up on the previous week’s news, or you could read to each other, whether that be reading from your favorite romantic poetry books or even writing your own fun short stories to pass the time and make you feel closer. Other fun Facetime date activities include drawing each other’s portraits ( just remember to be flattering!) or even taking part in a virtual movie night. Netflix Party, for example, allows you to stream a TV show or movie from Netflix with a loved one, with synchronized video playback
and group chats. It works across Netflix, Disney, Hulu, and HBO, and Amazon has its own Watch Party service if you’re planning on watching something there. With vaccines now offering hope on the horizon, you could spend an hour on Zoom or Facetime planning a romantic vacation for later in the year, deciding on the right hotel and activities to keep you occupied - it’ll bring you closer together in these tough times and give you something to look forward to, especially if you’re currently separated from your partner.
If you’re struggling for gift ideas, you can indeed turn to your smartphone for inspiration. As well as Apple’s new Apple One subscription pass, which offers access to services like Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, and Apple Arcade, you could treat your partner to an All-access Pass to Masterclass, which offers classes and experiences from some of the world’s biggest names including Christina Aguilera, who teaches singing, and Dr. Jane Goodall, who hosts a conservation workshop for budding eco-warriors. egift cards are another way to treat your partner to something special from their favorite ecommerce store, whilst subscription boxes (think Craft Beer Club or Crate Joy) offer a personal touch and give them something to look forward to. If you’re both into entertainment, then you can’t go too far wrong with an annual subscription to Disney+, and if you’re looking for a more traditional Valentine’s Day gift, then you can download the Bloomsy Box app for IOS and have a bouquet of stems delivered to a partner - they’re picked and delivered within five days for maximum freshness guaranteed. And,
if you’re feeling particularly creative, you can turn to the free Flower Arrangement Ideas app for IOS to create your own bouquet with their favorite florals - it’ll definitely score you some Brownie Points!
Whether you’re on a budget or you simply want to save some money, then Apple is offering a number of Valentine’s Day-related promotions and in-app discounts via
Apple Pay this year. The company is offering $15 off when you spend $39.99 or more at 1-800-FLOWERS, a free 5×7 custom Easel Back Canvas for photo display on Shutterfly, and 20% off earrings, necklaces, and more at Baublebar. The company has also promoted its Guides feature inside of the Apple Maps app, teasing that users in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Chicago can find “great takeout” offerings with guides and features written by The Infatuation. More offers and features are expected in the coming days, so keep checking back to Apple Pay.
THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT ROMANTIC DINNER
Perhaps one of the most important things about Valentine’s Day is the food. Takeout apps like Grubhub, Doordash, Ubereats, Postmates, and Instacart are all running promotions in the leadup to Valentine’s Day, but remember to book a delivery slot early to ensure you get to enjoy food from your favorite restaurant on February 14. If they’re fully-booked, then there are dozens of exciting meal delivery services across the United States where you can have pre-prepared ingredients delivered to your door with a recipe card, ideal if you’re struggling for inspiration and
want to try something new. Home Chef offers meals from $9.95 per serving, with dishes such as Teriyaki ginger salmon and Creamy shrimp carbonara on the menu, whilst Sun Basket offers a $72-per-week bundle for two meals for the whole family, with dishes like Chicken cacciatore with spaghetti and Vegetables in parchment with green goddess dressing and soft-cooked eggs. Experiment and see which of these delivery boxes you prefer - one might become a household favorite moving forward.
If you’re more of a home cook, then IOS is home to thousands of apps designed to inspire you in the kitchen. From Paprika, which serves as a virtual cookbook and allows you to save your favorite recipes from across the internet with a single click button, to BBC Good Food, which is free and has thousands of recipes covering virtually every specialty. If you’re looking for a more polished recipe app with simple instructional videos, Kitchen Stories is a cross between a recipe book and a cookery-themed Youtube channel, whilst Tasty is a crowdsourced recipe app, calling itself the “world’s largest food network.” Other contenders include Yummly, Oh She Glows, and Allrecipes Dinner Spinner, and there’s always Yelp and Opentable if you burn stuff and need to change your plans last-minute!
ALL THE ENTERTAINMENT YOU NEED
If you’re not able to give your loved one the excitement they usually expect this Valentine’s Day, fear not: there are lots of ways that you can lose yourself into new worlds together. You can prepare a playlist of your favorite songs on Apple Music and listen to them together via your Homepods, or via Airplay Sharing
with two sets of Airpods streaming from one device. If you’re looking for some fresh air and both have an Apple Watch, then the new Apple Fitness+ feature Time to Walk, where celebrities like Shawn Mendes read out stories, is another way to pass the time. And that’s without mentioning the incredible new shows on Apple TV+. From the new Palmer movie starring Justin Timberlake to incredible originals like Losing Alice, Servant, and Little Voice, it’s easy to spend an afternoon on the sofa with some popcorn. If it’s romance you’re looking for, then Netflix has you covered: After We Collided, Groundhog Day, Titanic, Blended, A Star Is Born, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Legally Blonde and The Kissing Booth 2 are currently streaming on the platform.
FEAR NOT, SINGLETONS
For those who are single, Valentine’s Day can feel like a bit of a slog. According to a recent survey, half of the American population identifies as single, and of these people, a quarter says they plan to do something for Valentine’s Day. On average, a single man will spend $71 during the holiday and a single woman will spend $40 - why not treat yourself to a new game from the App Store or rent your favorite childhood movie from itunes? If you’re struggling this Valentine’s Day, remember that it’s just a marketing gimmick, designed to sell chocolate and teddy bears, so make yourself feel great by pampering yourself, buying some gifts, or gorging on fast food. Switch off social media if you don’t want to be bombarded with selfies and engagement announcements, reach out to friends if you’re feeling lonely, and feel your feelings; it’s okay to be upset that you’re single this Valentine’s Day. Let out your emotions.
If you’re ready to get back onto the dating scene, your smartphone has you covered. Whilst Tinder remains the market leader, Bumble is growing in popularity, and you might also find a match on Okcupid, Match.com, Facebook Dating, Grindr, eharmony, Coffee Meets Bagel, Her, XO, Once, Happn, Raya, Plenty of Fish, or Hinge. Use your iphone 12’s Portrait Mode to take an attractive new selfie and put yourself back onto the dating scene - it can be fun!
In today’s uncertain times, we’re relying on our devices more than ever before, and this Valentine’s Day is no exception. Embrace the change, utilize the apps and services that can bring you closer to your partner, and make virtual (or real!) memories that will last a lifetime!