Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is less than a week away and we’ve got all the wonderfully mushy things to do to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Abu Dhabi.
If your spouse normally gets supermarket flowers or every year, you find yourself on a last-minute mall dash come February 13, we’ve got the great gift tips you need.
And if your favourite restaurant turns out to be fully booked, we’ve got lots of great Valentine’s deals for great dinners to check out, too.
Here are all the lovely things to do to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Abu Dhabi.
For the complete round up of Valentine’s Day deals, click here.
Order your flowers
You can leave this to the last minute, but why give yourself the stress? Get ahead and book that bouquet now. Whether you want to send to your loved one’s office or home, there’s a great choice of online florists in the UAE, from Florette to The Gorgeous Flower Company.
For a list of the flower companies offering delivery in the UAE, click here.
Buy a Valentine’s card
Another one we always leave to the night before. And yes, we always regret doing so. Greetings cards are hard to find in Abu Dhabi, but Paperchase, Marks and Spencer, Typo, Waitrose and Spinneys are some of the stores that usually have a decent Valentine’s selection. Or show your love with a hand-made creation. What can go wrong with a glue stick and glitter?
Treat your loved one (or yourself) to a spa treatment
The UAE, and specifically Abu Dhabi, has an abundance of lush spas designed for you to dream away the day. Whether or not you want to escape and forget all about St Valentine, head off for a spa day with the girls or hideaway for a romantic spa retreat. If massage isn’t your thing, at least put your wellbeing first with some yoga, or get that sea air in your system with some stand-up paddle-boarding. You might get a dose of healthy competition as well.
For new wellness activities to try, click here.
Bag yourself a bargain
Believe it or not, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Some of Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s best restaurants and pubs are offering great value dinners for what adds up to a pretty awesome Monday night out in the capital, and beyond. There’s even some freebies if you know where to look. And remember that some of the best things, like a walk on the Corniche, are free.
For more deals you need to know about, click here.
Book a staycation
It’s February, and frankly that’s all the motivation we need to book ourselves a staycation. There are some great UAE resident deals on right now, from 25 percent off at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, to 20 percent off at Caesars Palace Dubai.
Check out all the latest offers right here.
Spread the love at Time Out Market
For one of the cutest Valentine’s Day happenings in town, head to Time Out Market Dubai in Souk Al Bahar, pick up one of their free postcards and share a message of love – or a friendly greeting – with a fellow diner. Write a card for your friend or spouse, and add another for a total stranger. Go on, make someone’s day. Then choose your fave dishes from the 18 fabulous vendors and dig in.
For everything else going on at Time Out Market Dubai this February, click here.
Buy a gift, or two
Whether your budget covers a cupcake, a box of chocs or something much swankier, it really is the thought that counts. Show that you care with a gift that will make your special someone smile. Or send a giant teddy bear to their place of work to really show that you remembered St Valentine’s after all.
For some great gift ideas no matter your budget, click here.
Book a fabulous dinner deal
For most of us, Valentine’s Day is just another great reason to go and dine at a fabulous restaurant. There are dinner deals across the UAE, from the cheap and cheerful to the eye-wateringly expensive. We’d recommend sitting somewhere in between, but if you really want to push the boat out, book The Pointe restaurant AKA’s exclusive dinner for two for Dhs800,000, which just so happens to include a diamond-encrusted bracelet.
Or, for something slightly less, enjoy a private dinner on the beach boardwalk at Turtle Bay Rooftop in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Rotana Resorts & Villas for Dhs2,000 per couple. The romantic meal is available the whole month of February from 7pm to 10pm.
For all the splurge-worthy Valentine’s Day events in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Plan that proposal
Okay, we know this isn’t going to apply to all of you. But indulge our romantic whim for a minute. It might be cheesy, it might be predictable, but a Valentine’s Day proposal is also going to be on to be remembered. And if you’re going to pop the question, you may as well pop is properly. Plan a proposal in a dream destination and at least you’ll have an amazing holiday to enjoy together. (Just keep that ring safe, no matter what you do!).
For lots of incredibly romantic proposal destinations, click here.
Buy that bling
Talking of proposals, you’re going to need a ring. And there are many brilliant places in the capital to get the perfect engagement ring no matter your budget. Our top tip; take a friend, or two. You’ll need it to see clearly through the sparkly haze.
For more top tips on where to buy engagement rings, click here.
