Phew… it feels like the commercialized gift-buying frenzy of Christmas has only just evaporated, and already another obligation to empty your wallet looms on the horizon in the form of Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is an interesting holiday, wrapped up in strange history and legend, and frequently thought of by cynics as another excuse for big greetings card companies to sell useless junk to those trying to buy affection.

Whether you believe Valentine’s Day is a clever marketing ploy or just a great excuse to show your loved ones you care, there’s no denying that Valentine’s Day’s divisiveness makes it interesting in itself. Every year it rolls around, the same conversations about its worthiness on the calendar seem to take place. It’s also a sore point for some reluctant singles, who can’t enjoy having pictures of couples and love hearts constantly shoved in their face in the run-up to February 14th.

So, what do you do for Valentine’s Day if you don’t have a partner? We at Xperience Days don’t think you need to be in romantic love with someone to celebrate Valentine’s Day together. What about that lesser-talked-about, but arguably more important emotion of Platonic love? It’s been said that friendships bring you more joy and fulfilment throughout your lifetime than romantic relationships, so why shouldn’t these be celebrated on Valentine’s Day? Whether you want to celebrate Platonic love for your best friend, mom, or sibling, spread the love on Valentine’s Day with a unique experience gift. Browse our selection below for the perfect Platonic display of affection!

Unique Valentine’s Day Gifts for Your Friends, Family and Significant Others…

Wine and Beer Experience Gifts

Besides chocolate, the thing most associated with Valentine’s Day is a good bottle of wine. But why stop there? Whether your Platonic Valentine prefers the grain or the grape, our selection of wine and beer experiences is a great way to experience the boozy side of Valentine’s Day in a truly unforgettable way.

Houston Wine Tasting Class – $63

If your Valentine is a wine connoisseur, help them step their sophisticated palette up to the next level with this Wine Tasting in Houston, Texas. Wine tastes so much better when you know all about how it came to be so delicious! This 2 ½ hour adventure in Houston will teach your lucky giftee all they need to know about their favorite drink. Learning from an accredited wine educator, they’ll sniff, sip and swirl their way through a variety of high-quality wines provided by a renowned Houston wine shop near Rice University. Lessons learned include the history of wine, how wine is made, food pairings and much more! The perfect excursion for wine-lovers (of which, I’m sure you know many.)

Microbrew Tour Of Denver – $42

Not everyone is a wine fan. If your Valentine prefers beer, there’s no better gift that this Microbrew Tour of Denver, Colorado. During this fascinating tour, your beer-loving giftee will learn about the history of microbreweries in Denver, take part in trivia, and sample some of the best brews the city has to offer, led by an expert guide. They’ll even end their experience with a commemorative beer glass – in case too much beer means they need something to remember the day by!

Creative Gifts

Sure, a bunch of roses is nice and all … but what about making your own bouquet? Learning to paint? Crocheting cat toys…? (Okay, we don’t sell that last one.)

If you’re looking to treat your Valentine to something different this year, a creative experience can help them realize a hidden talent, work on existing skills or discover a new hobby! We’ve rounded up some of our favorites below.

Floral Arrangement Class – $70

Valentine’s Day is all about flowers, but buying a boring bunch of roses for your Platonic Valentine might prove cliché. If they love flowers, why not treat them to this unique floral arrangement class, available in multiple locations? Rather than figuring out where best to put that bouquet you bought them so it’s always out when you come over, they’ll get to creatively arrange their very own floral masterpiece.

Creative Boston Painting Class – $45

…Maybe flowers are not your Valentine’s thing. This creative painting class in Boston might be the answer for the creative giftee. The best part about this class? Guests are encouraged to enjoy a drink while they create! Upon arrival, your giftee can purchase a drink of their choice from the bar before settling down with all the materials they’ll need to paint their own individual work of art. While they sip and create, their qualified instructor will be on-hand at all times to assist them with any questions they might have. They’ll be astounded by their own creative talent by the end of the class, with a painting to display proudly in their home.

Phoenix Jewelry Design Class – $95

Another popular Valentine’s Day gift is jewelry. This Arizona jewelry making class will show your Valentine how to create their own ring fitted with a beautiful stone. Disciplines learned include how to make the correct size silver ring for their finger, how to solder, form and set a cabochon into a ring. Once complete, they will have a wearable work of art that they’ve created in only two hours!

Activity Gifts

Or maybe your Valentine prefers gifts that get their heart rate up? Browse our selection of active Valentine’s gifts below.

Central Park Sunrise Yoga Tour – $50

With the new year in full swing, a lot of us are thinking about making healthier habits for 2020. This doesn’t necessarily have to be forcing down a bowl of raw kale or hitting the gym every day. Believe it or not, exercise can be fun! Treat your Valentine to this Central Park Sunrise Yoga Tour. They’ll stretch and soothe their muscles with Central Park as their backdrop… the perfect way to spend a morning.

Flying Trapeze Class Las Vegas – $60

A unique gift for sure! Encourage your Valentine to get out of their comfort zone with this Flying Trapeze Class in Las Vegas. They’ll meet their instructor at the trapeze platform. After a safety briefing, they’ll learn how to perform basic tricks before stepping into the harness. Next, it’s time to chalk up, grab onto the bar and fly through the air! They’ll feel like a real circus performer as they experience this unique form of flight. An unforgettable Valentine’s gift for the person who can’t stop moving.

Turtle Cove Private Golf Lesson – $140

For a more relaxed form of exercise, this Turtle Cove Private Golf Lesson could prove to be the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. This 60 minute lesson, taking place in Turtle Cove, is the ultimate way for your Valentine to brush up on their golfing skills. They’ll work one-on-one with a personal instructor, GA professional Rick Nielson, to evaluate their fitness level and skills, and isolate their areas of improvement. With cutting-edge technology, they’ll learn the best source of power for their swing, and how to create a motion that best compliments their style.

Water Gifts

Boat rides, dinner cruises… these are things we associate with Valentine’s Day, but why should the couples have all the fun?! If you’re in a Platonic friendship with someone and want to treat them to a special gift, one of our water activities is a great way to go.

North Carolina Surfing Lesson – $140

Has your Valentine always wanted to learn to surf? Make 2020 their year! Taking place at one of Wilmington’s many beautiful beaches, this surfing lesson is the perfect introduction to the sport. Surfing can be frustrating if you don’t have proper instruction – the wipeouts, the nose-dives and the endless paddling. With one-on-one instruction, this lesson will take participants step-by-step through everything they’ll need to get started on the waves. Lessons begin on the beach with a 45-minute ground school, during which the certified instructor will teach the techniques participants will need to be successful in the water. Once everyone is ready, the group and instructor will hit the water for over an hour of in-the-water instruction and surfing!

Catalina Sea Lion and Dolphin Cruise – $50

For those who prefer a gentler experience, this Catalina cruise is just the ticket. Combining the water with a unique wildlife adventure, this experience is the perfect gift for Valentines who like something just a little bit different. Santa Catalina Island is one of Southern California’s most popular playgrounds, boasting clear waters, schools of flying fish, sea lions, dolphins and even more exciting wildlife… they better not forget their camera, as this is one trip they’ll want to remember!

SUP Tour of Lake Tugaloo – $54

Treat your Valentine to this SUP tour of Lake Tugaloo! The fun of this experience gift begins when they meet their friendly and knowledgeable guide at the Adventure Center. Here, they will meet the rest of the guests and get fitted to their gear before heading out to the lake. Once on the water, they will enjoy personalized instruction, learn river safety and paddling skills, and explore the peaceful scenery of Lake Tugaloo as they glide peacefully across the water. Their guide will provide commentary on the natural history of the unique area, and they may even spot some local wildlife!

Food Gifts

I think we can all agree that the best part of Valentine’s Day is the excuse it gives you to eat food. And not just any food… the BEST food. After all, who wants to do things by halves on Valentine’s Day? Palentine’s Day is no different, so treat your Platonic Valentine to one of these fantastic foodie adventures…

Trends of Williamsburg Food Tour – $63

New York is well-known for being a hub of great food and drink, and with Williamsburg as its hipster epicentre, it’s no wonder that this area boasts some of the best culinary trends. This tour guide will show the group through the best eats Williamsburg has to offer. Highlights include slices at Rosa Pizza, and world-famous chicken and biscuits from Pies & Thighs. They’ll also sample an array of other Williamsburg-centric sweet and savory delights.

Portland Chocolate Tasting Tour – $60

Chocolate is synonymous with Valentine’s Day; so much so that you can’t walk through the grocery store in the weeks leading up to February 14th without tripping over several mushy sales displays! Forget the discount chocolate boxes. This Portland Chocolate Tasting Tour takes guests on an incredible tour of the best artisan chocolate Portland has to offer.
Guests will meet their guide on Yamhill Street, and will be escorted to the city’s best chocolatiers. During this tour, your lucky giftee will sample sweets and enjoy over 15 tastings. Dark, milk and white chocolates are all on the menu. Throughout the tour, they will also learn how chocolate is transformed from a bean to a bar and hear about the history of this indulgent ingredient.

Gourmet Culinary Tour of San Francisco – $63

San Francisco is another culinary gem, boasting eclectic farmers markets, hip restaurants and innovative food trucks. These San Francisco Culinary Tours are perfect for foodies, commencing at a SF neighborhood of their choosing. Next, guests will be escorted to the best eateries around! On the North Beach/Little Italy Tour they’ll savor everything from fresh roasted coffee, focaccia sandwiches, chocolate truffles, pizza pulled from a 125-year-old brick oven, pastries, deli delights and more. On the Chinatown Tour, they’ll enjoy generous samples of Dim Sum, explore the Chinese markets, discover how fortune cookies are made, visit a Buddhist Temple, and try out Chinese Cookware. If they can’t decide which neighborhood tour to take, they can choose the Night tour and explore both!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

… Thank you for reading!

That concludes our list of the best experiences for Valentine’s Day, for your romantic or Platonic Valentines. Xperience Days sell hundreds of experiences across the U.S., so if you’re still searching, you can browse our selection of unique experience gifts here. Chocolate melts, flowers wilt, but memories last forever. (Sure; it sounds cheesy… but if you can’t be cheesy on Valentine’s Day, when can you?!)
Happy Valentine’s and happy shopping!