The season of love is typically celebrated with an array of romantic activities, including movie dates, couple’s massages and fancy dinners and drinks out on the town. In 2021, these seem to be things of the past.
Valentine’s Day in a pandemic calls for take-out and homemade drinks in the kitchen, a space that has frequently doubled as a restaurant, work space and classroom.
Maria Catalano of Peabody is hoping to reenact what would have been a normal night out a year ago.
“We will probably eat Italian food, and will get dressed up as though we are going out to eat,” she said. “We will light candles and sit at our dining room table, using our real china, and have dinner music playing in the background.” She said that she did this for other holidays during the pandemic and that it worked out great.
Antonia Steriti, owner of Periwinkles Food Shoppe in Salem, is also planning on staying home with her husband and celebrating by making a homemade Sunday dinner.
“A Sunday dinner is special to us because we work all week,” Steriti said. “What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the ones you love?”
People are experimenting with new ways to gain quality time with their loved ones by hosting family bingo via Zoom, attending cooking classes with the kids, breakfast in bed and hosting movie marathons in the living room.
Criss Robinson, of Lynn, is celebrating at home by recreating the menu she had on her wedding day in Jamaica in 1998, while Nancy Cohen, of the North Shore, plans to practice social distancing to the extreme with a hike in the White Mountains, followed by a dinner by the fire.
Cheryl McKern, of Salem, has two reasons to celebrate on Sunday, as she is receiving her second COVID-19 vaccine before grabbing a late lunch from Old Tyme Italian in Lynn.
The pandemic has made many North Shore residents realize the importance of family. The theme of this Valentine’s Day doesn’t seem to be restricted to significant others. Many are branching out to celebrate with parents, grandparents, children and nieces and nephews, whether it’s virtually or socially distanced.
Local businesses are adapting to the changing face of romance by providing Valentine’s to-go and catering options for customers that want to celebrate in the comfort and safety of their home.
Vincent Bianco, owner of Bianco’s Catering in Peabody, is teaming up with Bruins’ national anthem singer, Todd Angilly, to bring his customers a “sidewalk serenade.” His team came up with the idea of delivering their Italian food with a little extra on the side: two Italian love songs performed live.
“We wanted to do something that was different and would make people happy,” said Bianco.
Periwinkles, and Blue Ox, in Lynn, are offering to-go baskets and brunches, while others are providing the sought-after heart-shaped pizzas, chocolate truffle boxes and charcuterie boards.
For those who aren’t fans of the holiday, Longboards Restaurant and Bar in Salem will suffice. Justin Mattera, owner of Longboards, will host an Anti-Valentine’s Day event, but with COVID-19 restrictions in place.
“We really just want to offer up a casual setting for men and women to enjoy a night out and not feel pressured by Valentine’s Day,” he said. “We run a casual place on the wharf anyway, this is just a little something extra to remind everyone that you can still head out for a drink and meal by yourself and not feel weird on Valentine’s Day.”
Businesses and individuals around the North Shore are coming together to make the most out of the restrictions and safety precautions this pandemic has forced upon us. Whether you are celebrating together or alone, this Valentine’s Day will be unique to us all.
