1 / 5

Gene and Hanny Martindale dance together at the Valentine's Day dance at the North View Senior Center in Ogden Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012.

Erin Hooley, Standard-Examiner file photo

2 / 5

A Valentine's Day themed cookie set designed and decorated by Cookie Concepts.

Supplied photo/Cookie Concepts, Supplied photo/Cookie Concepts

3 / 5

Ginger Bess will perform at a special Valentine's dinner and dance at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center on Saturday.

Submitted

4 / 5

TX. Valentine's Day

Photo supplied, stock.adobe.com

5 / 5

Megan Dellalucia helps out for the Valentine's Day rush for a few days at Jimmy's Flowers in Ogden on Thursday, February 13, 2014. (BRIANA SCROGGINS/Standard-Examiner)

❮ ❯

It’s that time of year again when thoughts (and hundreds of marketing campaigns) focus on love.

Valentine’s Day is now just a week away, with many either having already planned and selected gifts or in the process of frantically trying to figure out how to demonstrate to their significant other how much they care.

The holiday’s has a fascinating history, including — according to History.com –possible connections to Roman fertility festivals, early Christian martyrs and even avian pairing-off observations. It’s been celebrated in different forms for at least hundreds of years, eventually evolving into our current rituals of celebration.

Now flowers, chocolates, decorative cards and jewelry will be exchanged. There will be corny holiday jokes (What did the paper clip say to the magnet on Valentine’s Day? I find you very attractive!) and counter-culture labels for activities like “Single Awareness Day” (for those who aren’t currently in a relationship) and “Galentine’s Day” (usually events just for girls).

But while there are valid reasons to grumble about the excessive commercialization and expectations of the holiday, it’s generally a good thing to have another reason to go out of your way to show someone you care about them.

There can, however, be differing views on what is the best way to approach it.

One of the big questions that many couples face is whether to celebrate by going out or by staying home together.

Here are some reasons to consider both possibilities:

Going out on the town

Zoe Zhang at Party.Alibaba.com wrote in her “Should I Go Out on Valentine’s Day? Pros, Cons & Tips” article that was published in late January that there are good reason to choose an evening out, saying: “Despite the pressure, there are genuine benefits to celebrating outside the home. If you’re in a relationship and both partners enjoy social settings, going out can strengthen your bond through shared novelty and excitement. Trying a new restaurant, attending a live music event, or taking a couples’ cooking class introduces fresh experiences that create lasting memories.”

She pointed out that having a romantic atmosphere, having the convenience of everything being planned and served, having special treats and having the affirmation of being in public with your significant other can be rewarding for those in relationship. She also added that it can support the local economy, particularly for independent local business.

If you and/or your significant other are energized by being around people, it might feel like a missed opportunity if you don’t go out.

And there are many great local options in Northern Utah, including going to one of the numerous local restaurants, attending the Valentine’s Dinner and Dance at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center, enrolling in a Valentine’s art class or going to a film festival or concert.

Staying peacefully at home

Andrew Harris at MSN.com recently compiled a list of 10 reasons “Why more Americans are choosing low-key Valentine’s Day traditions” in 2026.

His reasons included:

• Inflation and budgeting concerns
• Avoiding the restaurant rush
• Focusing on true connection
• The rise of experience gifts
• Choosing comfort over glamour
• Celebrating all kinds of love
• Nostalgia and simple gestures
• Decreasing social media pressure
• Sustainable and green gifting
• Smart tech date nights

The summary of his points is that it can be more personal and less chaotic when celebrating at home as opposed to being around others. It’s a chance to be more focused and less rushed.

Tips for making the decision

Zhang suggests going through a few steps to decide which approach is right for you and your significant other, including assessing your energy level, communicating with your partner, setting a budget, considering alternatives and honoring your identity.

“Instead of asking, ‘What should I do?’ try asking, ‘How do I want to feel?’ Peaceful? Excited? Nurtured? Loved?” Zhang said. “Once you identify the desired emotional state, the logistics follow naturally.”

While Valentine’s Day may be the date most visibly associated with love and romance, there are 364 other days in 2026 where love and romance are also important.

The key is discovering what works best to help your relationship grow and connect, then doing those things.

That’s really what Valentine’s Day is all about.