As I have said in the past, I love Valentine’s Day. Although some may find the holiday cliche or cheesy, I have always thought dedicating a day to those you love is a beautiful thing.
This year, I want to focus on celebrating all forms of love, like the love shared between friends. So, with Valentine’s Day weekend around the corner, here is a list of Valentine’s-themed activities you can do with friends — no significant other required.
Staying in
If you choose to stay in this Valentine’s Day, there are plenty of indoor activities you can do with your friends. Instead of going out for dinner and a movie, make a Valentine’s-themed charcuterie board and pair it with your favorite film at home.
For a group of friends, you can make it a competition and vote on who crafted the best board. From a classic charcuterie board with meats and cheeses to a decadent chocolate dessert board, the options are endless. I recommend making a Valentine’s-themed board filled with chocolate covered strawberries and heart-shaped candy.
As for the movie, you can’t go wrong with a good romantic comedy. Some of my personal favorites include “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “She’s the Man” and “Clueless.” These films have great romantic moments perfect for the holiday, but they’re not sappy or slow, making them ideal for a girls’ night in.
If your friend group is the crafty type, a craft night is always the way to go. Put on your favorite playlist, grab the markers and glue sticks and get to crafting. You can design a heartfelt Valentine’s Day card to send to a loved one or use an old book to make a bouquet of paper flowers. If you’re stuck for inspiration, Pinterest is the best place to start.
Going out
There are several “Galentine’s Day” events in Bloomington this weekend.
The Pottery House Studio, located at 223 S. Pete Ellis Drive, is hosting a Galentine’s Day pottery event. From 6-9 p.m. Friday, you can paint your choice of pottery and enjoy a four-course meal from local Italian cafe Piccoli Dolci. The event costs $55 per person and you can register on the Pottery House Studio website.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, the Woolery Mill is hosting its first Galentine’s Day event. This 21-and-up event will feature a brunch buffet, cake decorating and a mini halotherapy session from Bloomington Salt Cave. Tickets cost $44.52 and are available for purchase on the website.
If you’ve worked up an appetite after the pottery or the cake decorating, Bloomington has plenty of great restaurants to try.
Farm Bloomington, located at 108 E. Kirkwood Ave., has a special Valentine’s Day menu. This year, the menu is The Princess Bride-themed. For $70 a person, you can enjoy a four-course meal, with entree choices including the “As You Wish” pepper-crusted strip steak or Princess Buttercup’s vegan butter cauliflower. Of course, no meal would be complete without dessert; options include the crème brûlée, cherry cobbler and chocolate mousse.
No matter how you choose to spend your Valentine's Day or who you spend it with, remember that the holiday is about spreading love and showing your appreciation for those around you.
