UPDATED: Ideas for Celebrating Love During the Pandemic
Despite the pandemic, you can still spend time celebrating your Valentine in the East Lansing area this upcoming weekend. Whether you’re looking for outside activities, digital options, takeout meals, fine-dining specials, or special deliveries, we’ve got a few choices for you and your Valentine.
Dining Options & Takeout Treat Options:
The State Room Restaurant (located in Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, 219 S. Harrison Rd.) has Cupid Curbside options this Valentine’s Day, offering cozy fun for couples and families. The meal-for-two option features a surf and turf duo with sides, chocolate-covered strawberries, and the State Room signature Kahlua chocolate torte. Families can enjoy the brunch package for four, which includes red velvet pancakes, egg casserole, MSU Bakers’ cupcakes to decorate and s’mores quesadillas as well as Valentine’s Day craft supplies. Limited quantities are available to order through Wednesday, Feb. 10, by noon. Safe curbside pickup will be Saturday, Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, and to order, visit their website.
Black Cat Bistro (115 Albert St.) is offering Valentine’s weekend takeout packages with all the courses. Dinner includes two grilled filet mignon with a bourbon peppercorn demi-glace, Boursin cheese red-skinned mashed potatoes, sauteed seasonal vegetables, two mini red velvet cakes, and two single serve bottles of Italian Riondo Prosecco for $100. Or you can choose a full bottle of Michigan-made Suttons Bay Mawby M. Lawrence Green Sparkling wine, bringing your total for dinner to $125. To place an order for Friday, Feb. 12, through Sunday, Feb. 14, call the restaurant at 517-580-3821.

Ahead of their Fat Tuesday Paczki takeover, Groovy Donuts is all about the heart. The bakery has plenty of heart-shaped donut treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. Options include X’s and O’s – light and fluffy, hand-cut, yeast letter donuts topped with red and white icing, mini sweethearts with cherry pink, red, or chocolate icing, a sweetheart donut, and their signature funky Heart Hubcap donut with various icing options and a cut-out heart in the center. Available dates of each donut vary, so check on the website for more details and order limits or to preorder. Online preorders must be placed 24 hours in advance here.
Although the Mitten Raised Bakery & East Lansing Parks, Recreation & Arts Department Valentine Grams orders sold out, cookies, cupcakes, pastries, and other baked goods are still available for ordering on their website.
Campbell’s Market Basket offers more foodie options some might overlook. Gourmet gift baskets with cheese, crackers, beer, wine, chocolate, and more are in stock and wrapped-up to be ready to go. The local grocer can also make custom baskets for your special someone. They offer contact-free service, online ordering, and curbside pickup or delivery. To order, visit their website.

Photo courtesy of Campbell’s Market Basket.
Valentine’s Day gifts on display at Campbell’s.Non-food Options:
From now until Feb. 14, Sundance Jewelers is offering 40% off custom pieces, sure to create a lasting memory for your loved ones. This family-owned business is unlike other big chain jewelry stores and features jewelry artisans who are excited to work with you on creating a personalized symbol of your affection. When they say hand-crafted, they mean the designs are sketched out, fabricated, and finished by a designer. Stop in the showroom to be dazzled at their selection of rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings, precious stones, and more.
A non-edible special delivery can come to your front door from one of East Lansing’s long-standing family businesses, B/A Florist. This year, their indoor sales floor will be closed to customers for safety reasons. They recommend you preorder your special arrangements, bouquets, cards, and chocolates ahead of time. Here’s an entire ELi story on their curbside plans, delivery options, and online ordering processes for Valentine’s Day weekend.

Photo courtesy of B/A Florist.
A collection of floral arrangements made by B/A Florist.Spartan Spa (6075 N. Hagadorn Rd.) is offering 75-minute massage packages, complete with hot stones, foot wrap and aromatherapy. Their Valentine’s Special is $95 (a $139 value) and includes champagne, chocolates, and rose petals. For more information and to book services, visit their website.
Your Friendly Yogi instructor Caitlin is hosting an online yoga class for couples on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m. EST. This one-hour long class is good for beginners and costs $25. For more information, and to register, visit their website.
If you think Valentine’s Day is for the dogs, then this digital Zoom event is for you. Join Erika Hodges from Pup House and Nikki Soldan from Soldan’s Pet Supplies as they host a Galentine’s Party for dog lovers on Friday, Feb. 12. The hour-long digital event will feature an online drinking game, icebreakers, and giveaways. Dogs are, of course, welcome. To sign up for the free Zoom event, visit their website.

Photo courtesy of Paint Your Poison.
Paint Your Poison offers the opportunity to paint this with your Valentine.Since our last holiday list proved to be a success for Paint Your Poison, we’re including them in this roundup as well. The local company prepares ready-to-paint kits for artists of all ages and levels and hosts private home painting and virtual painting parties in the Greater Lansing area. They have a Valentine’s Day option, inspired by a Smashing Pumpkins love song. This canvas can be painted solo or side-by-side with your partner. The kit includes tips, tricks, stencils, paint, and other supplies. Two-day shipping is available and local Lansing pick-up can be arranged on their website.
This article was updated at 9:35 a.m. on Feb. 11 to include information from Sundance Jewelers.