Think outside of the heart-shaped box this Valentines Day (2024)

Valentine’s Day: you either love it or you loathe it. While who you spend Feb. 14 with may have changed over the years, one tradition has remained relatively unchanged: dinner and a gift.

Think outside of the heart-shaped box this Valentines Day (1)

Step 1: Make reservations at a restaurant with a minimum of $20 entrees.

Step 2: Pick from the acceptable gift options: chocolates, roses, jewelry, or a cute little teddy bear.

While this formula might check the boxes for a traditional Valentine’s Day, where’s the excitement in predictability? Chances are your significant other has followed the Valentine’s Day playbook before; injecting a dash of originality could turn an ordinary evening into an unforgettable one.

Here are some events and date options to think outside of the heart-shaped box this Valentine’s Day:

Cozy cabin retreat at Mahoney State Park

People are also reading…

Escape suburbia for the beauty of nature in a cozy cabin in the woods at Mahoney Start Park. Reserve a select cabin Feb. 9-14, and add on a special $55 Valentine’s Package to your reservation.

Friday’s event is couples painting – an evening together while completing either a photo frame or puzzle pieces to fit together to complete a picture on the upper level of Peter Kiewit Lodge.

Saturday’s event is movie night at Kountze Memorial Theater with free popcorn and a special showing of “The Princess Bride.”

Valentines Day package includes sparkling juice, two wine glasses, baker’s chocolates, specialty popcorn, an insulated cooler tote bag, raffle tickets for prizes, tickets to Friday/Saturday activities, and a 2024 Nebraskaland Calendar.

2-bedroom cabins range $170-$190 per night. Contact Group Functions to reserve your spot 402-944-2901 (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily)

Scenic dinner on the Platte River

Think outside of the heart-shaped box this Valentines Day (2)

Experience the best of both worlds with a New York strip steak and a scenic hike to a waterfall all in one day.

Head to picturesque Platte River State Park in Louisville for a romantic Valentine’s Day Steak Night at the Walter Scott Jr. Lodge and Restaurant on Feb. 14. From 4-9 p.m., indulge in a delicious dinner featuring options like steak, chicken, fish, appetizers, a salad bar, desserts, and even a kid’s menu.

For reservations, call 402-234-2217

An UnFURgettable outdoor wildlife date at the Schramm Education Center

Think outside of the heart-shaped box this Valentines Day (3)

Instead of a stuffed animal, show your partner you love them with the real deal. Gretna’s Schramm Education Center’s We Love Animals! Valentine’s Day Program provides three hours of daytime fun with jam packed activities.

11 a.m. Mammals and More: Love is in the air. Get some fresh air and look for signs of animals in the winter on a naturalist-lead hike with Alena. Remember to layer up and dress for the weather.

1 p.m. Favorite Fish: You’re a reel catch! Have fun learning about our aquarium fish with naturalist Brighid, then make a gyotaku fish print to take home.

2 p.m. A Date with the Reptiles: Do reptiles make your heart skip a beat? Join naturalist Isabella to meet some of our animal ambassadors.

Paid admission is required and all ages are welcome.

A taste of Paris in the prairie

Think outside of the heart-shaped box this Valentines Day (4)

Indulge in sophistication with a French-themed dinner and wine tasting at Springfield’s Soaring Wings Vineyard and Brewery. On Saturday, Feb. 10, immerse yourself in Parisian elegance with a three-course meal that includes: Salad de la Maison, Chicken Cordon Bleu with green beans and mashed potatoes, and a dessert buffet featuring a chocolate fountain.

Savor this special evening with a bottle of wine of your choice. Space is limited. Tickets are $110 per couple. To make reservations, call 402-253-2479.

Get endorphins flowing with Axe throwing

Think outside of the heart-shaped box this Valentines Day (5)

Nothing says “yawn” like a Valentines Day date spent sitting around and eating. If excitement is more up your alley, visit the Alley. The Alley in Bellevue, has something for everyone: vintage arcade games, a full bar, and authentic Italian cuisine from Frank’s Pizzeria. Plus, it boasts dozens of lanes featuring state-of-the-art axe throwing with unique projected games.

You can drop by The Alley Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., or rev up the excitement on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 11 p.m. The cost is just $20 per person per hour, per lane.

0 Comments

Tags

  • Gastronomy
  • Food
  • Food Industry
  • Restaurant Industry
  • The Economy
  • Trade

'); var s = document.createElement('script'); s.setAttribute('src', 'https://assets.revcontent.com/master/delivery.js'); document.body.appendChild(s); window.removeEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); __tnt.log('Load Rev Content'); } } }, 100); window.addEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent);

Be the first to know

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Think outside of the heart-shaped box this Valentines Day (2024)

FAQs

How many heart-shaped boxes are sold each Valentine's Day? ›

He introduced the first heart-shaped box of chocolates for V-Day in 1861, and today, more than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are sold each year.

What does the heart mean on Valentine's Day? ›

The heart shape is a visual representation of this emotional connection and represents the idea of love and affection. Valentine's Day is associated with love and friendship because it is a day that is set aside to celebrate love and affection.

What shape symbolizes Valentines Day? ›

Victorian Valentine's Day Card, c. 1860-1880. Widely recognized as a symbol for love and affection, the heart shape has evolved over centuries.

Why did the symbol of hearts become associated with Valentine's Day? ›

The medieval tradition of courtly love may have reinforced the shape's association with romance. Hearts can be found on playing cards, tapestries, and paintings. Hearts proliferated when the exchange of Valentines gained popularity in 17th-century England.

What is the most sold Valentine's day candy? ›

In the Middle Ages, valentines were handmade gifts like love poems or artwork. About 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold each year leading up to Valentine's Day.

Which is the most famous Valentine symbol? ›

Cupid. If Valentine's Day has a mascot, it's the winged, bow and arrow–wielding baby known as Cupid. Next to the heart, he's the most common symbol of the holiday. His path from powerful Greek God to lovable cherub was not always an obvious one, though.

Why is the heart shaped like ❤? ›

One is that the heart shape comes from the shape of the leaves of a now-extinct plant called silphium, which was considered a key component of a love potion in the time of the Romans. Another theory is that St. Valentine used the symbol when arranging secret marriages.

What shape means love? ›

The heart symbol is an ideograph used to express the idea of the "heart" in its metaphorical or symbolic sense. Represented by an anatomically inaccurate shape, the heart symbol is often used to represent the center of emotion, including affection and love, especially romantic love.

Is the heart shape based on a woman's buttocks? ›

A professor of psychology who studied the symbolism, origin and history of Valentine's Day said the traditional double-lobed heart symbol on candy and cards is inspired by the shape of female buttocks as they appear from behind, according to Discovery News.

What does Valentines Day really stand for? ›

While the date is meant to honor Saint Valentine's death and burial, which supposedly occurred in mid-February around 270 AD, some historians believe the date could reflect the Catholic Church's attempt to replace the ancient Pagan celebration of Lupercalia — a fertility festival for the pagan agricultural god Faunus — ...

Who created the first Valentine's Day heart-shaped box? ›

Heart-Shaped Boxes of Chocolates: Richard Cadbury, son of Cadbury founder John Cadbury, created 'fancy' boxes of chocolates to increase sales. He used drawings of his family and Alpine scenes to decorate them. In 1861, he created the first heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day.

How many Valentine's Day conversation hearts are produced every year? ›

In order to properly celebrate the traditional Valentine candy hearts 152nd anniversary, here are some more sweet facts: NECCO estimates that it makes nearly 100,000 pounds of hearts each day throughout the year in preparation for Valentine's Day. Approximately 8 billion hearts will be sold every year.

What are the top two selling types of flowers for Valentine's Day? ›

The most popular flower to give on Valentine's Day is the red rose. Red roses have long been a symbol of romantic love. However, if red roses aren't to their taste, you could always gift other popular Valentine's Day flowers, such as lilies, tulips or carnations.

How many sweethearts come in the box? ›

Sweethearts Candies 36 count . 9 Oz box is great for Valentine's Day parties. Each candy heart has a short message: Bestie, Cutie Pie, Love Bug, Be Mine, Honey Bun and Sweet Pea.

How much Valentine's candy is sold each year? ›

The National Confectioners Association tells the Chamber that 92% of Americans plan to purchase candy for Valentine's Day this year, including 58 million pounds of chocolate — one of the holiday's most popular candies. Overall, the Valentine's Day season represents about $4 billion in confectionery sales each year.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Last Updated:

Views: 6203

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Birthday: 1993-03-26

Address: 917 Hyun Views, Rogahnmouth, KY 91013-8827

Phone: +5938540192553

Job: Administration Developer

Hobby: Embroidery, Horseback riding, Juggling, Urban exploration, Skiing, Cycling, Handball

Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.