Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!  Here are 17 ideas for the special day:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Express Yourself

Roses are red, violets are blue, communicate to your love, in prose or with hues. Find the card that says how you feel, compose a poem that speaks to their soul, or interpret your love in an artistic manner. Nittany Quill and Uncle Eli’s can help you get started. Or, play your heart out at Music Mart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Break the Mold

Design a date night that’s all about customization, because no love is like your love. From dinner to dessert, you can create a unique evening at Green Bowl and Momotarō.  End the night with one-of-a-kind artwork symbolizing something special about your relationship at Iconic Ink, Evolution Tattoo, or King Cobra Tattoo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Kick it into High Gear

They say that couples who play together, stay together. Invest in your relationship with outdoor gear and equipment that you can use together far beyond Valentine’s Day. Freeze Thaw, Rapid Transit, or Appalachian Outdoors can point you in the right direction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Like in the Movies

Start dinner by thinking outside of the shell and place an order for escargot at The Tavern.  Check out Pretty Woman to see how you fared compared to Julia Roberts’ experience.  Plane ride to the opera, optional.

Let the creative juices flow at 2000 Degrees. Step it up a notch with BYOB wine and cheese. Leave your pottery to be fired and rent Ghost to see how Demi and Patrick handle ceramics.

Kick up your heels with a night of dancing. Whether you prefer a formal studio session or like to keep it casual in a club, just remember that no one puts Baby in a corner. Press play on Dirty Dancing for a refresher course on some classic moves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. The Whole Enchilada

Are you ready to pull out all the stops? We’re talking roses, chocolates, dinner, a show, and something shiny.  Start at Avánt Garden for a bouquet of fresh flowers, then pop-in next door at Branch & Vine for divine chocolates. Make reservations at Zola’s for an incredible meal and purchase tickets at The State Theatre for entertainment afterwards. Finally, let the ladies at Miska & Reini help you select a piece of jewelry that fits your loved one’s personality perfectly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. The Next Level

Whether you’re ready to take your relationship to the next level or celebrating a milestone anniversary, this date is designed for you! Let them know you’re thinking about them before the date even begins with a flower delivery from Woodring’s.  With skyline view during dinner, you can look into future years together at the Federal Taphouse. End the evening on a shiny note, with help from the expert staff at Moyer’s.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Cater to You

Channel your inner Beyoncé and pick out some things that the Jay-Z in your life would enjoy.  Upgrade him with the help Harper’s. Refill his humidor at Your Cigar Den. Book an appointment for him at For Men Only. Or, engrave a bar set for his man cave at Signature Engraving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. DIY

Tap into your inner Bobby Flay or Giada and wow your loved one with a meal prepared with your own two hands. Set the table, light the candles, and bon appétit! For helpful tips, table settings, beverages, bread course, and dessert course, just stop by Kitchen Kaboodle, Gemelli’s, Sweet Tooth Bakery, or a bottle shop for everything you need to make your evening special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. How I Met Your Mother

Relive your “meet cute” and all the non-stop smiles, laughs, and inside-jokes that went with it!  Did you meet at Penn State?  Find a gift that harkens back to that time in your relationship at Old State Clothing Co., Lion’s Pride, or McLanahan’s. Make a date at your go-to watering hole and enjoy your favorite band play the night away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Can’t Buy Me Love

A creative date means it will be highly personalized and very memorable.  Sounds perfect! Organize a scavenger hunt that takes you from one memory to the next.  Take in an art exhibit at the Woskob Gallery or create a photo shoot as you explore the Art Walk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. Me, Myself, and I

Whether you need to recharge your own batteries this year or want to pamper your loved one, this route is always in style.  Unwind with a spa treatment and massage at Designer’s Denn.  Book a hair and make-up session at Looks Hair Design.  Polish your look at Downtown Nails.  Add a finishing touch with a new outfit and shoes from Connections and Bare Foot. Get lost in a great literary romance at Webster’s with Selena’s “Dreaming of You” on repeat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12. Squad Goals

Girls’ night out this year? First stop, wardrobe. May we recommend Metro, People’s Nation, Urban Outfitters, Target, or H&M? Next stop, adventure! Grab a mic for a karaoke session at The Gaff, Primanti’s, or Icy Snow.  Or, stay in and relax in comfortable clothing from The Clothesline while playing board games from The Growing Tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

13. Wolfpack

Guys’ night out this year? First stop, fuel up.  Wings at The Darkhorse Tavern, burgers at Local Whiskey, bratwursts at Herwig’s, or calzones at D.P. Dough.  Next stop, who knows (but hopefully it doesn’t involve a tiger, monkey, or Mike Tyson).  Test your skills on the pool tables at Sharkie’s or the foosball tables at Champs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14. Around the World

No passport needed on this date, just follow your taste buds. First course, cheese course at W.C. Clarke’s Cheese Shop. Wet your whistle with vino samples at Reflections.  Have dinner in another country, thanks to the kitchen skills of India Pavilion, Penn Pide, Tadashi, or Yallah Taco.  Finish you date on a sweet note with a scoop of gelato at Sauly Boy’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15. Baby’s First Valentine’s Day

Show the little one in your life some love with a plush animal from The Animal Kingdom.  For kids that are a little older, visit The Makery for open studio time and let them create their own Valentine’s Day cards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16. Vintage

What’s the vintage of your relationship?  Capture and celebrate this theme with your loved one. Here are some ideas: frame a photo from the early days at Old Main Frame Shop, pick up a bottle from the same year that your love began, find a throwback piece at Funky Trunk, or make a reservation reminiscent of your first date at a place like the Allen Street Grill or Baby’s Burgers & Shakes.  Put the right soundtrack in play with a visit to The Music Underground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17. Handmade

Looking for the handmade touch, but short on time? Celebrate the skills of others this Valentine’s Day. Sample hand-crafted micro-brews and hand-mixed concoctions at Liberty.  Take a stroll over to the Art Alliance and peruse the artists’ work on display. Or, stop in and strum awhile at Alley Cat Music, enjoying the chords that can be created together.

 

No matter how you spend Valentine’s Day, our staff, board members, and local business owners wish you a lovely time in Downtown State College!