Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and it seems that more people are planning ahead to celebrate. By mid-January, Google Trends reported a 250% increase in searches for “valentines day gifts for her,” a 180% increase in searches for “men’s valentine’s gifts,” and a 160% increase in “cute valentine’s gifts” searches. And while shopping for gifts can be a great way to celebrate, we have some alternative options for a hotter Valentine’s Day — many of which won’t cost a dime. Check them out, and feel free to add your tips in the comments!  

1. Have morning sex 

Rather than hoping that you’ll save enough energy to get it on after dinner, set your alarm a few minutes early and start Valentine’s Day on the right foot (or better yet, on your back, if you’re feeling lucky!) Take advantage of heightened testosterone and energy levels — and make use of that morning wood if you’ve got it on hand. The endorphins released during sex can help ensure that you begin your day in the best of moods and the oxytocin spike is likely to leave you feeling more connected and loving. Note: This applies to partnered and solo sex alike, so don’t wait to find a partner to take advantage of the mood boost associated with sex.  

2. Plan a non-erotic threesome  

Rather than booking a table for two, choose your favorite single friend or family member and treat them to a night out or invite them over for dinner if you love to cook. V-Day is the perfect excuse (or reminder) to celebrate all types of love — so think about showing affection appreciation for friends, family, neighbors, community members, and anyone else who enriches your life.    

3. Give the ultimate indulgence: the full-body caress  

If you want to treat your lover to more than a few minutes of full-body pleasure, explore this sensual caress designed to create pleasure across the entire body from head to toe.   Most of us experience orgasm and sexual arousal in our genital region and a few specific erogenous zones that vary from person to person (e.g., butts, breasts). This may be because these areas are naturally hotbeds of sexual activity, but it may also be related to the fact that we tend to stimulate these areas during sex play. So…what if you were to extend physical stimulation to other areas of the body — the nape of the neck, the ears, the collarbone, the sides of the chest, the belly button, hips, thighs, calves, ankles, and so on?  Chances are you’d create a cauldron of full-body pleasure. For this activity, set aside 15-30 minutes to simply stroke, caress, lick, kiss, and pleasure every square inch of your partner’s body. 

1. Start with their scalp, cheeks, ears, and lips, then work your way down their neck.  
2. Take your time.  
3. Explore their collarbone with the tips of your fingers.  
4. Linger and pay attention to the sensation in your hands as you caress their chest and torso. 
5. Experiment with a feather-light touch over their hips, thighs, and calves.  
6. And then turn them over until you’ve aroused every square inch of their skin.  
7. You may move on to explore more genital touch and orgasm once you’re done, or you can use this as a stand-alone mindful touch experience.  
8. Don’t feel pressure to produce one specific outcome — simply explore for pleasure’s sake.  

4. Recreate your first date (or another memorable date from your past)  

If you’ve been with your partner for longer than a few months, take a trip down memory lane to revisit the excitement of your early days.  

• Make a playlist of old songs you used to love and have a living room dance party.  
• Retell the story of how you met.  
• Re-enact your first date.  
• Visit the location of your first kiss (or another memorable first).  
• Wear an outfit or scent that will remind them of an exciting time together.  
• Reminisce about some of your hottest (or most awkward) sexual memories.  
• Reflecting upon happy memories can help to reignite passion and trigger the release of feel-good chemicals associated with new love.  

 5. Try something new!  

Novelty sparks passion, desire, and pleasure, so allow V-Day to be your reminder to break routines. Try a new position like the Stacked Lotus: One partner sits cross-legged on the bed with a pillow on their lap (not covering their genitals — just covering their crossed legs). The other touches, fondles, and plays until they feel inspired to climb on top and ride with their legs wrapped around the seated partner. Use the pillow for extra support. Or try a new location: Take sex out of the bedroom and into the shower, living room, laundry room, closet, or car.   Better yet, try a new technique like the Finger-Ring or The Lip Vibe: For the Finger Ring, simply reach down and use your index and thumb to create a tight ring around the base of the penis during intercourse. You can stroke slightly at the base to create extra friction or hold still to simply intensify the pressure. For the Lip Vibe, moan while you’re kissing or sucking on their hottest spots to mimic the vibes of their favorite toy.  

6. And speaking of toys… Embrace good vibes  

Plan ahead and invest in a new vibe, knowing that those who use vibrators report having better sex — from lubrication and desire to arousal and orgasm. The data suggests that vibrators and sexual pleasure go hand-in-hand.   If you’re new to vibes, try an affordable model like the Romp Wave Lay-On Vibe. If you want to add a little spice to P-V sex without overhauling your routine, check the Romp Juke, which can be worn during all types of sex play (with a penis or strap-on). For those who want to sneak around and prolong the V-day glow, check out the Lovehoney Knicker Vibe  And if you’re already a pro and want the ultimate indulgence, consider the We-Vibe Nova 2, which has all the angles, flexibility, and rumbly power to create blended full-body orgasms. If you’re looking for something comparable for penises, be sure to check out the Arcwave Ion, which uses Pleasure Air technology to stimulate the sensitive Pacinian receptors. And of course, if you’re playing with toys, we’ve got you covered with our toy-safe lube, Toy N Joy    

However you opt to celebrate Valentine’s Day, we hope it’s full of love, laughter, and lots of pleasure — however you define it.