I’ve Cracked The Code To An Amazing, Stress Free Valentine’s Day In Charlotte
Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays I have very mixed feelings about. On one end, why not have a day to show the people you love just how much you appreciate them? But I also see the “Anti-Valentine’s Day” people’s point; you should be doing this every day of the year.
Nonetheless, my fiancé and I have had to navigate the awkward… “What do you want to do for Valentine’s Day?” conversation quite a few times at this point, and I think we have cracked the code.
As you know, Valentine’s Day can be one of the busiest nights for restaurants. If you don’t think too hard in advance about it, you’ll have a hard time finding a reservation at a good Charlotte restaurant.
Cooking at home can be just as stressful sometimes as grocery stores are packed leading up to Valentine’s Day, and on Valentine’s Day with last-minute people buying sweets, flowers, cards, and wine.
Lucky for you, I’m here to share how my fiancé and I have cracked the code to perfect Valentine’s Day in Charlotte.
Step 1: Get bargain bin cheese at Harris Teeter
Did you know that Harris Teeter has a bargain bin of cheese? While cutting their cheeses up into portions, they always have extra scarps. Instead of throwing those scraps out, they sell them for a discounted price. Most of the cheeses in the bin are under $5! Just grab three or 4 of those, some meat and crackers, and suddenly, you have a very affordable charcuterie board
Step 2: Get a meal kit at Pasta & Provisions
Have you ever tried Pasta and Provisions meal kits? You can pick out an entrée (meatballs, chicken piccata, braised short rib, etc.), fresh pasta, a bag of salad, and fresh focaccia bread for under $30. Yes, this will require some “cooking” but the pasta takes about 5 minutes to make, and the entree’s really only need to be heated up, so it’s pretty fool-proof. There are a few different locations of Pasta and Provisions too so you won’t have to make a long drive.
(PRO-TIP) – Instead of battling it out at the grocery store, pick up a bottle of wine here!
Step 3: Plan ahead and get a dessert at a local bakery or ice cream shop
Charlotte has SO many delicious local bakeries and ice cream shops all over town. Instead of buying something from the grocery store (remember, we are avoiding the stressful part), stop by a local bakery the day before and grab a desert that will last for 24 hours. Not only will if probably taste batter, but you’ll be supporting local businesses.
Step 4: Have a movie or activity planned
Nothing says buzzkill like having to scroll for an hour finding the perfect thing to watch. Pick out a movie ahead of time so it’s all ready to go! If activities are more your speed, you can pick up a new card game, but do so ahead of time so you won’t be scrambling!
And there you have it; the perfect, stress free Valentine’s Day celebration. This is what my fiancé and I have been doing for years now, and I recommend it to all my friends! My personal favorite part is you get to do all of this in the comfort of your homes and can even wear sweatpants if you want. You can also dress up fancy if you want too… that’s just not my style.
Let me know if you try this out for Valentine’s Day, and how it goes!
