Last Updated on 13 February 2026 by Colette
This post is written in collaboration with adidas
I was chatting to someone the other day who asked me if Dave and I celebrate Valentine’s Day and what sort of thing we do and it got me to thinking about how it has changed over the years.
Dave and I have been together for about 24 years now and have always celebrated Valentine’s Day in some way or another – I know some people view it as “consumerist, high-pressure and wasteful” and if you buy into the over-inflated price of roses and novelty teddies, then I’d have to agree with you but for us it has always just been an excuse for a thoughtful card, maybe a present and most definitely some quality time together.
Before we had kids, with Valentine’s Day typically falling in February half term, Dave would usually take the day off work and we’d take it in turns to plan a day out – Dave surprised me with a trip to a zoo to see the hippos (though it was freezing and they stayed in their enclosure all day so we didn’t see more than a hippo bum) and I once booked us the train up to Newcastle to wander round a different city for the day. When the kids were little, he’d still take the day off and we’d do something nice as a family and Dave would cook us a nice dinner (absolutely not down for sitting squashed into a restaurant with other people being romantic thanks).
Of course now the kids are older and we don’t need a babysitter, we can pretty much do as we please – and in all honesty what I’d quite like to do this Valentines Day is put on my comfiest outdoor shoes and take Poppy for a good long walk along the beach together – though I’m not sure the weather is quite on board with my plans!
In terms of what we do for Valentine’s gifts, this changes from year to year and depends very much on our budget at the time. The very first Valentine’s gift Dave bought me was actually my first pair of GHDs which was super bougie. In other years he has surprised me with jewellery which was especially lovely because he’d been working away and got home on Valentine’s Day. This year, I’m actually buying Dave a collapsible bench for his home workouts (to go along with the weights I bought him for Christmas!) – Chloe thinks that’s really sad and I suppose it doesn’t read as being very romantic but it’s something he wants and has been looking at for a while so I know he’ll be pleased with it.
I’d love to know what you do to celebrate Valentine’s Day of if you’ve got any gift horrors to share!
If you have enjoyed this post and found it helpful, here are a few ways you can say thanks and support We’re going on an adventure:
Click here to buy me a virtual coffee – it’s like a little tip jar but with caffeine!
I’d love for you to tag me in any photos of your adventures on Social Media if one of my posts has inspired you to visit
Click here to leave We’re going on an adventure a Google Review
Follow We’re going on an adventure on Facebook or Instagram
