Post-Valentine’s Day Getaways That Speak Your Love Language

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If you forgot to pick up a gift for your special someone this Valentine’s Day, there’s still time to shift the narrative around that mess-up. Perhaps your present isn’t something your loved one can touch so much as it is something they can experience. Maybe you are just a genius who thought, “Why stick to a basic box of chocolates when I could make a memory with my boo?” Or maybe you didn’t think that far ahead and you just got too busy to order jewelry. That’s okay – we’ve got you covered. Tonight, present your SO with the reservations you made for your Valentine’s Day getaway this weekend. And if you really want to impress them, here are Valentine’s Day getaways based on their love language.

Acts of Service

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If acts of service is your partner’s love language, then it’s not really about the where you go so much as how you go. Take the planning off your partner’s plate. Be an itinerary master who has brilliantly mapped out every part of the trip. Do the research. Book the tickets. Think of sights and activities that would appeal to your partner’s interest. Make those reservations and book those VIP extras so your partner sees you paid attention to every detail.

Quality Time

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Should uninterrupted quality time be your partner’s love language, a staycation might be the right move. Traveling to new destinations typically requires a lot of running around to see the sights. But your partner just wants to look into your eyes and chat for hours. So book a room at that swanky hotel or boutique bed and breakfast in town – the one your partner has always been curious about. Plan a full weekend of just lying in bed together, watching movies, eating and simply being.

Side note: in this piece, MADAMENOIRE covers the seven new love languages. For some, activity is the new quality time. So if your partner feels most loved when you take an interest in their interests, consider planning one outing for your staycation that speaks to their hobbies and areas of curiosity.

Words of Affirmation

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Words of affirmation – also known as the appreciation love language – can be difficult to turn into travel. However, if this is your partner’s love language, they really want to understand that they’ve made your life better. They want to hear, in detail, how their presence has made your whole world brighter. So make sure to take a moment on your vacation to tell them this. Consider booking a quiet, corner table at a dimly lit restaurant where you can express all that your partner means to you.

Then, the next morning, express it even more by booking them a surprise spa day. They made your life better, so make theirs better with a nice Swedish massage and a seaweed wrap.

Emotional

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The emotional love language is all about receiving support during difficult times. So, think about what your partner has been going through. Now, think about what sort of environment would be most healing or revitalizing to them.

If your partner is a busy parent who is always home with the kids, covered in vomit, maybe they deserve a glamorous weekend in the city. Give them a reason to dress up and reconnect with their non-parent identity. Get tickets to a show. Grab cocktails at that swanky rooftop bar. Book them a mani/pedi.

If your partner leads a hectic corporate life, then think of peaceful Valentine’s Day getaways. Maybe they need a quiet cabin by a lake for the weekend. Or a meditation retreat, somewhere in nature.

Intellectual

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If this is your partner’s love language, then they feel most loved when you see how brilliant their mind is. They love getting into deep, philosophical conversations. So, take them to a city for intellectuals. Book tickets to hear a speaker or author who your boo fans out over. Make reservations at a museum filled with think pieces. Then, cozy up in a café after and talk about all you saw and learned that day. Your intellectual lover doesn’t want to drink margaritas poolside – they want you to expand their mind.

Gifts

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There are a few ways to play it if your partner’s love language is gifts. We’ll break them down below:

• Take them on a shopping trip. Treat your partner to a getaway in a city known for its amazing shopping, and whip out that credit card. You know what sorts of things they like. Maybe it’s antiques, art or fashion. Find a destination known for the items they like, and take them there.
• Make something together. Book a stay at a vineyard where you’ll make your own wine. Visit a perfumery where you’ll make your own signature scent. Stay at an artist’s retreat, and leave with a portrait you made together.
• The modern interpretation of the gifts love language is a little different. It’s more financial in nature and is about making financial decisions that benefit your future as a couple. If this sounds like your partner’s love language, consider purchasing an affordable timeshare. That’s a smart way to enjoy financially-responsible vacations for years to come.