Hello Tigers and welcome back to Issue #3 of The Tiger! Valentine’s Day is a holiday that we all know and can enjoy whether it’s with your friends or with your partner. However, Valentine’s Day did not start as a celebration of candy hearts or romantic dinners. Its roots are much older and far more complicated. Historians trace origins back to ancient Rome. It may have evolved from the festival of Lupercalia, a fertility festival celebrating Faunus, the Roman god of Agriculture. However, the holiday’s meaning is now tied to Saint Valentine. St. Valentine was a priest who defied Emperor Claudius ll’s ban on marriage by continuing to perform weddings in secret. Over time, stories helped shape Valentine’s Day into a symbol of love, devotion, and expressing care for the people who matter the most to them. Today, the holiday blends centuries worth of traditions with creativity, gift giving, couples, friends, and families the chance to celebrate in ways that are meaningful and personal. Before diving into the top date ideas chosen by you Tigers, it helps to understand how this day came to what it is today. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
#1) Night in with movies/games
A night in with movies and games was picked by 15% of people as their favorite date idea, coming in as #1. This option is quite popular as it’s relaxed and doesn’t require spending a lot of money. You can just hang out at home, watch whatever movies you want, and play some video games or board games together. It’s nice because there’s no pressure to dress up fancy or go somewhere crowded. You can wear comfortable clothes, eat snacks, and just have fun without worrying about anything else. Plus, if you’re kind of shy or just getting to know someone, staying in makes it easier to talk and be yourself.
#2) Night out for dinner
A night out for dinner was picked by 14% of people as their favorite date idea, having it come in at #2. This option is a classic. Everyone loves going out for dinner as it gives you a chance to try new food. You can go to a nice restaurant, order whatever looks good, and have real conversations without distractions. It’s nice because there’s a bit of effort involved. You dress up, go somewhere special, and make the evening worth the effort. You can explore different cuisines, share dishes, and enjoy the atmosphere of being out together. Plus, if you’re trying to impress someone or celebrate something, going out for dinner makes the date feel more memorable and intentional.
#3) Baking/Cooking
Coming in at third place is…Bake/Cooking together! This was picked by 12% of people as their favorite date idea. This option is a great choice because it’s hands-on and fun. You can pick out a recipe, put ingredients together, and then work as a team in the kitchen. It’s nice because you’re actually doing something together instead of just sitting around, and you get to eat whatever you make at the end. You can try making something new, like homemade pasta or fancy desserts, or just cook comfort food you both love. Plus, if something goes wrong or gets messy, it usually just makes things funnier and more relaxed. It’s a great way to see how well you work together and have a good time without spending a lot of money.
#4) Arcade
Fourth place goes to going out to an arcade and was picked by 11% of people as their favorite date idea. This option is pretty popular because it’s fun and brings out your competitive side. You can play all kinds of games like racing simulators, shooting games, or classic arcade machines and try to beat each other’s high scores. It’s nice because there’s always something to do and laugh about, whether you’re terrible at a game or surprisingly good. You can win tickets and get prizes, play air hockey, or team up for co-op games. Plus, arcades have a casual, energetic vibe that takes the pressure off and lets you just enjoy being playful together. It’s a great way to see someone’s personality come out when they’re having fun and not taking things too seriously.
#5) Mini Golf
Mini golf was picked by 10% of people as their favorite date idea. This option is a good choice because it’s lighthearted and easy to do. You can play through a course with fun obstacles like windmills, loop-de-loops, and water features without needing any real golfing skills. It’s nice because it gives you something to focus on besides just talking, but you can still chat and joke around between holes. You can make it a friendly competition or just mess around and not keep score at all. Plus, mini golf courses usually have cool themes and decorations that make it feel a little adventurous. It’s a great way to spend time outside, laugh at bad shots, and see how someone handles a little friendly competition without things getting too serious.
Google Forms Statistics
Work Cited
Things to Do on Valentine’s Day: Best Activities for You and Your Loved One. (2025, January 7). Giftory. Retrieved January 14, 2026, from https://www.giftory.com/blogs/
Britannica Editors. “Lupercalia”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lupercalia Accessed 14 January, 2026.
“Valentine’s Day 2026: Origins & Holiday Traditions | HISTORY.” History.com, https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-valentines-day Accessed 14 January 2026.
Tiger Issue #3 – Top 5 Valentines Day Date Ideas (01, 2026)
