Twelve ideas
Two trees, one each
Each of you makes a Valentine’s tree and sends the other the link. Hang gifts with love notes on each other’s; they open on February 14.
The same countdown on both phones
The couple widget shows each other’s gifts and the days to Valentine’s Day (Android, with the app’s next update).
Open your notes together
Get on a call when February 14 starts and read your notes out loud.
A video dinner date
Order the same food, dress up and light a candle on both ends.
A romantic movie in sync
Press play at the same moment, or use a watch-together app.
Flowers to the door
Order from a florist near them, with a note in your words.
A love letter in the post
Something they can keep in a drawer.
A playlist for two
Your songs, in the order you met them.
Play a game together
Pick an online game and make it a tradition.
Ask each other questions
A deck of couples’ questions keeps the talk going long after dinner.
Look at the same sky
Step outside at the same time and call each other.
Plan the next visit
Book it, and start the next countdown.
More ideas: the best apps for long-distance couples and long-distance Christmas ideas.
Questions
How do you spend Valentine’s Day long distance?
Plan a video date at the same time, send something they can open on the day, and give each other something to look forward to, like notes on your Valentine’s trees that open on February 14.
What is a good long-distance Valentine’s gift?
Flowers or a letter by post, or something digital that still feels like unwrapping: a tree of love notes that opens on Valentine’s Day.
Can we read each other’s notes?
Each of you reads the notes on your own tree. Visitors only see the tree and how many gifts it has.
Is it free?
It’s freemium: making a tree, sharing it and sending notes are free; removing ads, putting your tree on the world map and other extras are paid.