Valentine’s Day Ideas for Every Love in your Life

Need some Valentine's Day tips? Learn about Mexican Valentine's Day traditions featuring ways to celebrate, gift ideas, recipes, and more with El Mejor Nido!

Mini cheesecakes with Te Amo and XOXO written in icing surrounding a can of La Lechera sweetened condensed milk.

When American’s first think of “Valentine’s Day” they probably think about candy hearts, happy couples and baby Cupid. In America, Valentine’s Day tends to be a celebration of romantic love between partners and couples.

However, in Mexico the day is known as Día del Amor y la Amistad or Day of Love and Friendship and many Mexicans spend the day celebrating with family, friends and as many loved ones as possible.

Check out these tips inspired by Día del Amor y la Amistad to fill your February 14th with friends, food, fun, love and laughter.

Red velvet poke cake with white cream cheese frosting with a red candy heart on a table with a can of La Lechera sweetened condensed milk.

Love is in the Air

In Mexico it isn’t rare to see streets lined with balloons and hear mariachi music year round. However, in February balloon vendors go all out with red and pink heart shaped balloons you can buy your friends and family or release into the sky as a symbol of love. Mariachi music is also more frequently heard during February since it is associated with Mexican weddings.

As both balloons and mariachi are gestures of love, romance and friendship in Mexico, you may consider adding some mariachi music to your Valentine’s Date Night playlist or giving friends, family or your crush a balloon to express your feelings.

El Amigo Secreto

Another way to share love and appreciation for your friends is by having a Valentine’s Day gift exchange. Kids in El Salvador and Dominican Republic take part in a popular Valentine's Day tradition called Angelito or Amigo Secreto.

This tradition is a small gift exchange similar to Secret Santa. Consider coordinating a secret gift exchange between friends and family as a new way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Need a gift idea? You can never go wrong with a tasty treat like chocolate covered fruit.

Close up of milk chocolate covered strawberry with and a white chocolate covered strawberry on a marble table.

Lover’s Brunch, Lunch or Dinner

One thing both Americans and Mexicans love to do for Valentine’s Day is eat. Whether it's booking reservations for a romantic dinner or sharing a heart shaped box of chocolates, food and sweets are a simple yet meaningful way to show your love and appreciation for someone.

A nice way you can extend your warmth and compassion to not only your partner, but to friends and family as well is by hosting a Valentine’s Day brunch, lunch or dinner. A nice cooked meal is the perfect excuse to gather everyone for the holiday. You could even make it a potluck and ask guests to bring dishes to simplify the preparation.

Check our recipes for Valentine’s Day brunch, lunch and dinner if you’d like cute and heartwarming recipe inspiration.

A measuring spoon spilling over with masa harina.

Sweet Recipes for Galentine's Day

Another totally fresh way to observe Valentine’s Day is by combining traditions of Día del Amor y la Amistad with new American customs. In recent years Galentine’s Day has become a trend where groups of women or friends gather to celebrate the holiday and their friendship.

You could invite your gals and pals over to decorate heart shaped cheesecakes, host a paint and sip night with espresso martinis or just get together to bake a giant Valentine chocolate chip cookie or a delicious red velvet cake and watch some movies. No matter how you decide to get together, there’s no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by catching up with the friends you love most.