By Jana LepojevicIn this story:
The word ‘romance’, especially in relation to Valentine’s Day, often has connotations of flowers, chocolates and love hearts, but we’re here to offer an alternative vision—Valentine’s Day experience gifts. Don’t just get your partner a bunch of roses on your way home from work, get them a flower arranging experience and build your own bouquet together. An experience is how you take a classic gift, elevate it, and turn it into a whole event. This Valentine’s Day, do the most romantic thing of all—savour each other's company.
1. Cook and feast
Going out to dinner is always fun, but cooking together adds a whole new dimension to your Valentine’s Day. If one of you gets a bit stressed in the kitchen, a cooking class is the perfect way to diffuse the tension while still getting to connect. Pick your favourite cuisine, master a recipe or two under the guidance of a professional, then enjoy the fruits of your labour. Sharing a meal you both toiled over makes the experience more special. Plus, there’s no washing up, and you’ve picked up some recipes for your next at-home date night!
2. Make rings for each other
There’s putting a ring on it, then there’s making the ring you put on it. One comes with so much more meaning and thought, and that’s why ring making classes are one of the most romantic things to do on Valentine’s Day. Forget store-bought baubles. A handmade ring becomes a testament to your lasting love, filled with memories and what you mean to each other. And if your relationship is getting ready for its next chapter, you could even use Valentine’s Day to make your own wedding rings together.
3. Paint and sip the night away
Paint and sip classes are a popular date night activity because they’re low-pressure and fun. Grab a brush, a drink and a blank canvas, and enjoy an evening of laughter, conversation and creativity. You’ll follow along with an instructor while adding your own spin, resulting in two unique artworks. The best part? You leave with a colourful keepsake of the evening and memories that last far longer than the paint dries. Whether you’re seasoned artists or first-time painters, this is one of the most memorable things to do on Valentine's Day.
4. Go on a pottery date for two
Casual, low-key and relaxed, pottery classes are a fun and creative thing to do on Valentine’s Day, and no less romantic, as Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze proved in Ghost. From wheel throwing to hand building or even kintsugi and ceramic painting, your pottery date can be as involved or as simple as you make it. As long as the two of you are together, you’ll have a good time. And after your creations are fired in the kiln, they’ll be ready to be picked up and admired. Will you make mugs, bowls or cute sculptures of each other?
5. Melt and pour candles
Candles are masters of setting the mood, but making them together takes the romance to another level. A candle making class lets you choose your favourite scents, colours and shapes to create a candle that’s completely personal to your relationship. The process itself is soothing and fun, with lots of opportunities for conversation and connection. Then, lighting your creation at home will instantly bring back the memory of your Valentine’s Day together—soft light, beautiful scent and a little piece of something you made as a team.
6. Blow glass
Feeling adventurous this Valentine’s Day? Step into the heat and do something that feels a little wild. A glass blowing class is fire, movement and anticipation all rolled into one. Watching solid glass soften, glow and slowly take shape is completely captivating. There’s heat on your face and concentration in the room that makes the whole experience feel electric. It’s not something you do every day, or even every year, which is exactly what makes it one of the most memorable things to do on Valentine’s Day. You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind piece and a great story.
7. Hand feed each other chocolate
Arguably the sexiest of aphrodisiacs, chocolate is indulgent and irresistible, and a chocolate making class adds a playful touch to this classic Valentine’s treat. Craft truffles, bars, or chocolate-covered delicacies together and feed each other your creations. It’s intimate and decadent; the perfect way to enjoy something sweet while sharing a cheeky taste test. This activity turns an everyday indulgence into a lasting memory, one of the more delicious things to do on Valentine's Day.
8. Fun with flowers
This Valentine’s Day, instead of stopping into the shops on your way home and getting a gaudy bouquet of roses, try a flower arranging class with your significant other and get them making a bouquet suited to their taste and style. February in Australia is late summer, when flowers are bold, colourful and bursting with life. Think lush greenery, vibrant petals and the simple joy of having your hands in nature together. As you play with colour, texture and shape, the whole experience feels light and whimsical, like a slow afternoon stretched out just for the two of you. It’s creative, relaxed and quietly intimate, turning a classic Valentine’s gesture into one of the most beautiful things to do on Valentine’s Day.
9. Drink cocktails
For many, cocktails are a drink for a special occasion, not your usual wine or beer with dinner, but a signal that something out of the ordinary is being celebrated. A cocktail making class turns that celebratory feeling into an experience you share from the first shake to the final sip. Learn how to balance flavours, muddle herbs, and master the perfect pour while laughing and tasting along the way. You might discover a new favourite drink, or at the very least, pick up a signature cocktail you can recreate for future date nights. It’s social, a little bit fancy and just playful enough to make it one of the most fun things to do on Valentine’s Day.
Shopping for your significant other? Check out the best Valentines gift experiences in Australia here.
10. Try a whittle romance
Whittling may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of romance, but that’s exactly why it works. A whittling class is slow, tactile and refreshingly analogue, giving you the chance to switch off and focus on the moment. There’s no rush, no screens, just the quiet satisfaction of making something with your hands. It’s understated, thoughtful and ideal for couples who appreciate meaningful experiences over grand gestures. Proof that some of the best things to do on Valentine’s Day are the unexpected ones.
11. Melt hearts with resin
If you want to do something creative but are a little worried about your artistic prowess, resin art classes are a safe option. Mix colours, glitter, and inclusions to make coasters, jewellery, or keepsakes that are truly one-of-a-kind. Even beginners leave with a beautiful piece to take home, plus the satisfaction of having made it together. Resin art is hands-on, playful, and allows you to see your partner’s personality shine through their creation, making it another unique option for things to do on Valentine's Day.
