Love In The Bubble. Four Ways To Celebrate Valentine's Day in The Time of Pandemic
So, officially the world will celebrate Valentine's day in the bubble (at home).
The pandemic really kills everything in our lifestyle, plans and connection to everyone. First the holiday season, second the family reunions, and now the Valentine's day.
What else is there to be hopeful for?
Of course life itself. Let's be grateful that despite the rampage of COVID-19, we are safe, healthy, and not in the hospital under ventilator. And that's enough.
So, how about the day of hearts?
That's Sunday! What a perfect day to mark the occasion, if only we are free to go out, enjoy the day, go somewhere, have some great dinner or movies, and lots of fun and laughter with friends and loved ones. But we are still not out of the woods with coronavirus. Sulk!
So, how can people mark the occasion when social distancing and health protocol are still very much in place? And wearing face mask and social distancing rules make everything so inconvenient and annoying?
Fret not! Here are some ways to make this Valentine's day, still a day of love, happiness and blessing:
1. Home Celebration
Yeah, where else but home? 😄We need to come to terms with our destiny that this V-day, we will stay in the bubble, and mark the occasion at home.
The old adage that goes: home is where the heart is, will surely have great meaning at this year's Valentine's day due to the global pandemic. Home is the safest place right now on earth. Outdoor fun is out of the question.
Home celebration is ideal too because it is less than expensive. With the ongoing health and economic crisis, the last thing we do is spend and splurge. The home bubble spares us from further trouble in our finances.
So how will you celebrate the day at home without feeling any less? Perhaps you could cook a simple but special meal, whip some desserts or refreshment then have a romantic setup in the living or dining room or stay Alfresco in your veranda or garden.
It's as romantic as dining outside plus it's a lot cheaper. One year on since the pandemic curtailed everything in our lives, we become expert adapting to the new normal of the pandemic. Home dinner is one.
You can transform your home into a beautiful space of love and happiness with all those cute goodies and embellishment sprucing up your living room.
2. Alfresco dining
Or you can dine outside but in a careful setup where health is safe.
If there's one thing the pandemic really altered the way we dine outside it's the social distancing setup inside the restaurant. It's pretty inconvenient having a two-seat apart thing when you're in a group.
The mandatory social distancing rule tends you to sit in a separate table, one meter away from your companion. You need to labor when you speak, and put face mask while you talk. So it's pretty much uncomfortable.
But there are restaurants in Metro Manila that allow you to sit beside your group and no distancing rule is required if you choose the Alfresco setup.
Blackbird in Makati city is a great place to spend dinner or lunch this Valentine's day. It's a relaxing place with trees around the Ayala gardens surrounding the area. Its Alfresco dining is superb, breezy atmosphere and they offer great food!
Check my blog about Blackbird HERE.
3. Movie marathon at home
Or better yet do some movie marathon at home. After all, it's Sunday!
I remember people rushing to watch movies comes Valentine's day in the previous years. However, since the pandemic shutoff the world, all cinemas, concerts and other form of entertainment and leisure were stopped since last year.
Perhaps, staying at home and do some movie marathon is the best way to mark the occasion. Here are five of the most romantic movies to devour this coming Sunday, and don't forget to prepare pancakes and potato chips because popcorn is so outdated. 😄
- Moulin Rouge (Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor)
- This Means War (Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy)
- The Cutting Edge (D.B Sweeney and Moira Kelly)
- Down To You (Freddie Prinze Jr and Julia Stiles)
- Sleepless in Seattle (Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan)
4. Love bomb your friends/loved ones
So what the hell is this? It's not that you're sending explosive stuff to your friends and loved ones just to let them know how much they mean to you this Valentine's day.
And if you are single like me this Valentine's day, don't sulk! 😂
The pandemic makes a lot of people single due to the home quarantine anyway. So just this consider V-day as a passing moment, but never mop or feel sad.
We can be single and still happy. Remember that happiness is just a state of mind.
The act of giving actually boosts physical and mental health, so this Valentine's day, channel your energy by showing your care to your friends instead.
Love exists in so many places, not just in a romantic way. Showing gratitude and affection to others improved our mental sense. It alleviates symptoms of depression.
Here's how to love bomb your friends:
- Send them heart-shaped cookies
- Write personalized notes and send in their social media
- Send letterbox flower delivery
- Gift them afternoon tea set (I love to receive this 😂)
- Curate a love-themed hamper basket or grazing board
Silver living in the dark rays of pandemic
In every crack window, there's a spark of light filtering through open holes. So don't be so disheartened if you cannot enjoy the celebration like before. Just keep in mind this situation is only temporary.
One bright light that we can look forward despite this difficult time is that we can save massively. Our finances would not get hurt because we're staying at home.
For lovers, a lot of things to forward to. Just cherish each other's presence and demonstrate your affection in a different way, more handy and personal. Like, uhmm, sending notes to remember?
This Valentine's day is cheaper. It will keep your purse safe and tight. No more splurging and spending at the mall. You can save a lot. It's a great blessing.
Happy Valentine's day!
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