5 Valentine's Day Ideas for Long-Distance Couples

If you and your significant other won't be in the same place on Valentine's Day, that doesn't mean you can't celebrate together. According to dating coach Julie Spira, long-distance couples should make a point to honor the occasion, and since it falls on a three-day weekend this year, you can even stretch out the celebration.

But how do you spend the holiday together when you're not, well, together? Here are some expert tips on making sure the distance doesn't stand between you and your significant other — or between you and a fun, meaningful Valentine's Day.

1. Plan a Skype date.

Thanks to technology, you can still have a dinner date even when you can't visit the same restaurant. You can mimic a nice meal out by cooking or ordering food at the same time, Spira says, or even surprise each other by ordering each other your favorite foods. She also recommends getting dressed up in the holiday's signature color, eating festive foods like chocolate-covered strawberries, and toasting with champagne.

2. Text throughout the day.

Your first text conversation of the day should start when you wake up, says Spira: "Send a 'Happy Valentine's' text. Add those emoji hearts. Add a little digital foreplay. Say: 'Thinking of you on Valentine's Day. Can't wait for our Skype date tonight.'" For those who don't mind public displays of affection, posting on each other's Facebook walls can also be a way of demonstrating your love.

3. Send each other gifts.

Spira recommends sending a virtual gift like an e-card or a digital scrapbook to remind your partner of your fondest memories. This can help "memorialize the fact that you really do have a relationship," she says. And if you want to get them a physical object, there's always good old snail mail.

4. Experiment with cyber-sex.

According to Erin Basler-Francis, MEd from The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health, cybering can feel more realistic than ever now, thanks to bluetooth-enabled sex toys like We-Vibe 4, Classic, Nova, and Rave, which are controlled through the We-Vibe app We-Connect. Lovesense is another good option, with male and female "teledildonic" sex toys made with long-distance couples in mind.

5. Plan a make-up date.

Spira recommends you remind each other your distance is temporary by planning a belated Valentine's Day for the next time you'll see each other. You may feel late to the game, but the upside is that you'll have a much easier time getting a dinner reservation.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Keywords: Long Distance Relationships, relationships, valentine's day