Spoil your sweetheart (or yourself) with these fun experiences and gift ideas.
With Valentine’s Day landing on a Sunday this year, celebrations can officially begin at the start of the weekend! With that being the case, we thought it would be nice to offer a gift guide and some ideas of things to do with your partner, friends or by yourself. From virtual cooking classes to curated themed boxes, here’s our recommendations below.
EXPERIENCES
Macarons Class and Pasta Dinner Class | Virtual
Feb. 12. Aspiring bakers are invited to spend the morning baking an array of vibrant macarons including the classic almond shells, colorful shells, heart-shaped shells and chocolate ganache in the Gourmandise School’s “Friday Bake: Valentine’s Macarons” class. Later that evening, couples are welcome to share in a special “Date Night: Valentine’s Pasta Dinner” class where they will learn the art of creating the perfect pasta dough and tomato sauce to pair with a simple arugula fennel salad and berry vanilla pana cotta. Macarons class is at 10 a.m. for $30. The pasta dinner class is at 6 p.m. for $45. Space is limited; highly recommend purchasing tickets ASAP.
Steak Dinner Class | Virtual
Feb. 13. At-home cooks are encouraged to grab a loved one and join in the Gourmandise School’s “Date Night: Valentine’s Steak Dinner” class to master a perfectly seasoned steak au poivre paired with classic potato gratin, enive, radish and herb salad with dijon vinaigrette and finished with a caramelized apple cake. 6-8 p.m. $45.
Street Food Cinema’s Lady and the Tramp | Drive-In (Los Angeles)
Feb. 14. Take in Disney’s classic romantic tale of a sheltered uptown Cocker Spaniel and a streetwise mutt in the comfort of your car at the SFC Drive-in at Santa Monica Airport. Get bonus points with your date by expressing your love with a “love letter” ad shown on the big screen (available for purchase). 6:15 p.m. $20 car entry plus, $8 general admission per person. Santa Monica Airport, 3233 Donald Douglas Loop S., Santa Monica.
A Night with Josh Groban | Virtual
Feb. 14. Spend this Valentine’s Day with Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Josh Groban at his special live-streamed concert shot in Los Angeles. Enjoy a peaceful and romantic evening with music from Grobans’ newly released album, Harmony. Gift Harmony merch to your Valentine’s with a special ticket bundle—or, take your chances at winning tickets and merchandise as Josh Groban will be awarding a few lucky fans during the performance. Starting at $32.
GIFT GUIDE
BH Cosmetics x XiXi Yang
Embrace the bold, hot, drama of Valentine’s Day with a gift that will transform the night! L.A.-born BH Cosmetics teamed up with TV personality and beauty influencer XiXi Yang on a limited-edition makeup collection in time for Valentine’s Day. Perfect to prep for date night or to gift to that fabulous glam friend, this collection features a bold, hot color story with products such as the “OMG Glitter!” face and body gel ($12) and dramatic faux mink lashes ($10). This collaboration is as much a cultural celebration (for Lunar New Year) as it is a celebration of the transformative power of makeup as BH Cosmetics that remains dedicated to cruelty-free cosmetics that embraces individuality and inclusivity.
Café Gratitude Cookie Kits and Chocolate Box
Through Feb. 14. SoCals beloved Café Gratitude has put together something sweet to treat yourself or your loved one. The Valentine’s Day Chocolate Sugar Cookies Kits are pre-baked, gluten-free, and plant-based with natural and organic colorings made to decorate and to enjoy at home for date night or an evening with the kiddos ($25, plus shipping). A la carte menu favorites can also be ordered for takeout and delivery. Enjoy a twist on a classic this Valentine’s Day with the Café Gratitude Chocolate Box—the perfect plant-based alternative to traditional Valentine’s chocolates. Each box is packed with six chocolates (two of each flavor) and is sure to impress.
Candy Club
Treat yourself or your loved one with a curated box of nostalgic, artisan candies. For Valentine’s Day, customers can order a one-time box of six candy cups with a customizable “Happy Valentine’s Day” note. Themed packages include the “Sweet Start” box with favorites like Appleberry Belts and Gummie Volcanoes; or the “Harvest Horizon” box of subtle sweets with a punch of sours—including Big Apples, Black Cherry Sours and Sour Sunflowers.
Diane Krön Chocolatier Mini Bouquet
The mini bouquet gift box is the perfect combination of gifting the tried but true chocolates and flowers for Valentine’s Day. The mini bouquet gift box ($110) comes in a beautiful sleeve of seven mini bouquets that contains four chocolates each. 310.248.2626.
Gorjana’s Heart Necklaces
For the woman in your life that has a heart of gold, we love the simplicity of Gorjana’s Bespoke Wilder Heart Necklace ($85). Make it extra special with custom engraving of a name, date, place or anything you want to keep close to your loved one’s heart. For something more lightweight, the Beau Necklace ($55) is a dainty, gold pendant with texture and shine that hangs on an adjustable chain. For a limited time, receive a free jewelry case with any purchase of $150 or more.
Hotel Amarano’s Romance Package
Sneak away on a romantic staycation in Los Angeles with the Romance Package, available at Hotel Amarano for stays from Feb. 11 to 15. The package includes a bottle of house Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, breakfast for two, and a 2 p.m. late check out. Guests will receive a complimentary upgrade to a Junior Suite based on availability at time of check in. Starting rate at $189. 322 N. Pass Ave., Burbank, 818.842.8887.
Lilla Bello Bouquet
Preorder by Feb. 10. Change up your daily routine with the delivery of a custom designed arrangement that is built with your budget and palette in mind. Lilla Bello is offering their “designers choice” arrangement filled with the freshest and prettiest blooms simply because love is in the air. Preorder by Feb. 10 to ensure delivery by Valentine’s Day. Early order and delivery is recommended. 310.453.3311.
Out & About Supply
Out & About Supply is an L.A.-based business that was born during COVID-19, out of a belief that getting outdoors is essential to a healthy lifestyle and what better way to do that than on a romantic picnic with the one that you love (or are quarantined with)! We recommend The Big One blanket ($78) so that you can get nice and comfy with an ample spread of tasty bites. Don’t forget to fill your picnic basket (Need ideas? We’ve got you covered, here) and of course your masks! We especially like the idea of gifting a roses or bouquet mask ($18) for that proverbial Valentine’s Day touch. ENTER TO WIN GIVEAWAY
Vinovore Gift Boxes
This wine and goods shop—with a focus on female winemakers—is offering gift boxes for the special someone in your life. Maybe your significant other, maybe your bestie for Galentine’s Day, or maybe the most special person in your life—you! Gift boxes include The Sexting Box, The Galentine’s Day Box and The Bleeding Heart Box. See website for a full list of available gift boxes. Prices vary.
Photo credits: Gorjana’s Beau Necklace credit Gorjana. The Gourmandise School courtesy The ACE Agency. BH Cosmetics and XiXi Yang Lunar New Year Collection courtesy BH Cosmetics. Lilla Bello bouquet courtesy Lilla Bello.
