​Eight Valentine’s Day apps you should use

It’s almost a given most of us will get overwhelmed when planning the perfect Valentine’s Day date. Thankfully, we live in a time when technology can help us in our planning efforts or provide for an ice breaker should we need it.

Here’s eight apps to help you with your V-Day planning.

OpenTable

I’ve learned on more than one occasion — reservations are a must on Valentine’s Day. Showing up to a popular spot, expecting to get in is a rookie mistake. OpenTable lets you search for a specific restaurant, or by your preferred time and party size. Once you find something that works, you make the reservation directly in the app with just a few taps on your device’s screen.

Download OpenTable for iOS or Android.

Reserve

Want to impress your date? Use Reserve. Acting as your personal concierge, the service makes reservations for you. Then when it comes time to pay, payment is handled through the app (with no interaction on your part), including a tip for the waiter.

Reserve is available for both iOS and Android.

ChefSteps

I recently found this app and have fallen in love with it. Not only does it have recipes for some delicious food (I’ve tried a few, all were met with applause from my family), the classes that walk you through different cooking techniques are spot-on. Next on my list to complete is this free poutine class. Other classes range in price from $10 to $18.

So, if you’re looking to stay in on Valentine’s Day and impress your date with a new cooking style, start with ChefSteps.

Download the iOS or Android app, or visit the website for more information.

Instacart

After going through a ChefSteps class and finding a perfect recipe, place your grocery order with Instacart. You place an order through the website or mobile applications, and choose how soon you’d like your ordered delivered (1-hour or 2-hour windows).

First time users are treated to free delivery on orders over $10. After that, delivery feeds range from $3.99 to $5.99 depending on the delivery window selected.

Download Instacart for iOS or Android.

Fandango

Head out to a movie after dinner, but instead of waiting in a line to grab tickets, preplan and purchase them directly through the Fandango app. View showtimes, trailers and reviews on your phone.

Once you make a purchase, you can skip the long lines and head to the small kiosk inside the theater to print out your tickets.

Download Fandango for iOS or Android.

Shari’s Berries

Indeed, flowers are a more traditional gift, but why stick with tradition? Shari’s Berries deliveries chocolate covered strawberries, pretzels and all sorts of other goodies.

You can browse the catalog of creations and place your order directly from within the app.

Download Shari’s Berries on iOS or Android.

Bounden

Here’s a fun app that’s sure to break the ice on a first date. Each person grabs one end of the phone, and then the two of you rotate the phone to complete the game. Before you know it, you’re dancing thanks to choreography from the Dutch National Ballet and laughing all at the same time.

If your date doesn’t want to partake, ask a random stranger — obviously he or she is no fun.

Download Bounden for iOS or Android.