Now is the time to plan for Valentine's Day. Here are some ideas in the Columbia area

Valentine's may be more than two weeks away, but the time to start thinking about what to do with your partner, friends and even family to celebrate is now.

Valentine-related events in the area start early in February and run through the day of the holiday. Event availability is filling up fast.

So, throw on your best pink, red and white outfit and give these opportunities a look. While many options are presented, this is by no means a completely comprehensive event list.

Galentine's Day at Cooper's Ridge

Grab your gal pals and head to Boonville on Feb. 9 for the annual Galentine's Day at Cooper's Ridge. Tickets for this adults 21 and older event are $75, which covers a multitude of experiences. Tickets are sold through Feb. 8 or until sold out.

Guests can learn cocktail making with Tenleigh Lou-Mae's, designing charcuterie boards with the Old Neighborhood Cafe and candle making with Southern Gent Candle Bar. Want to put some sparkle in your hairdo? Uplifted Salon owner Kaylee Concannon will host a hair tinsel pop-up. Coop's Cotton Candy will do live cotton candy spinning.

New for this year is a vendor fair, featuring Beyond Linx Permanent Jewelry, Flynn & Stone, Subtle Sparkle and more.

Guests also will have a chance to enjoy a photo booth, will receive one free raffle entry and snacks and sweets are provided throughout the evening. Find Cooper's Ridge Event Venue at 24991 MO-98 in Boonville, just west of Warm Springs Ranch.

If health and wellness is more your speed, Achieve Balance Chiropractic will host its Galentine's Wellness and Wine event at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Registration is required by Feb. 9 by calling 573-442-5520. A $30 entry fee will go directly toward Columbia domestic violence shelter True North.

Guest speakers include Achieve Balance owner Dr. Arminta Phelps, Family Nurse Practitioner Sarah Reeves, Nutritionist Kari Ball and Kimber Dean with Nourish Café and Market. Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and a charcuterie board will be provided. Find Achieve Balance Chiropractic at 2700 Forum Blvd. in Columbia.

Events for couples or couple groups

If looking for date night and wanting to listen to some local musicians and try some local wine, the Les Bougeois tasting room has opportunities before and after Valentine's Day. From 6-8 p.m. guests can enjoy the tasting room's After Dark series. Featured musicians in February around the holiday include Noah Earle (Feb. 2), Meredith Shaw (Feb. 9) and Randy Huebert (Feb. 16). The After Dark series is available through March 22. Find the The Tasting Room on The Blufftop at 12847 W. Highway BB in Rocheport.

Sawdust Studios is offering couples several opportunities to learn and make something together for Valentine's Day. Registration is required for the Valentine's Day Couples woodworking classes. Spots for couples still are available as of Thursday in separate chocolate box, charcuterie board, serving tray or cutting board classes. Each spot equals one couple.

The Wooden chocolate box class is available 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 2 for $150. Couples will learn from skilled instructors and can choose from a selection of woods and finishes for their boxes. Each couple will receive a special Valentine's Day gift.

Couples also can select type of wood for the $140 charcuterie board class 6-8:30 p.m. Feb. 9 along withy any unique design they would like. All charcuterie boards will receive a food-safe finish. While couples work on the boards, there also will be charcuterie board snacks available and a lesson on creating perfect pairings for the couple's new boards.

For those looking for a class earlier in the day, couples can make a serving tray together 1:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 10 for $140. Once trays are ready for finishing touches and machines are off, guests can enjoy some sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Those looking for an activity on Valentine's Day can participate in the cutting board class 6-8:30 p.m. Feb. 14 for $140. Again once machines are off, guests can enjoy some bubbly and chocolate-covered strawberries as they put the finishing touches on their project. Call (573) 333-7297 for more information on all classes. Find Sawdust Studios at 3150 Paris Road in Columbia.

For couples that like to cook together, Back 2 Basics has two opportunities available with a Valentine's Day Treats Workshop or a Cooking Date Night.

The treats workshop 5-7 p.m. Feb. 9 is available for groups of two to four people and only had three spots left as of Thursday. Each group must have at least one adult and any children participating must be able to engage with the duration of the two-hour class. The class is $190, which includes processing fees. Guests will learn how to make chocolate-covered strawberries, Valentine cupcake decorating, heart-shaped brownies, apple pie pops and heart-shaped pancakes.

The date night class 5-7:30 p.m. on Valentine's Day still is available with four spots remaining as of Thursday. Participants must be 18 and older. No prior cooking knowledge is necessary. Couples will learn to make spinach artichoke calzones, pizza-stuffed mushrooms with optional meatballs, side salad with a zesty vinaigrette and a heart-shaped cake with buttercream icing. The class is $160 per couple.

More information on either class is available by calling Chef Ashley Nichols at 573-268-2248 or emailing back2basicscooking@gmail.com. Back 2 Basics holds its classes at The Loop's CoMo Cooks shared kitchen space at 14 Business Loop 70 E.

Sumit's Hot Yoga will host its annual Valentine's Partner Yoga Workshop 4-6:15 p.m. Feb. 10. Couples can sign up through the Sumit's Columbia website. The two-hour, $60 workshop includes partner stretching, acro yoga basics and Thai yoga massage and is great for beginners or seasoned practitioners, an event listing notes.

Participants are asked to bring one mat per couple, a pillow or blanket and comfy clothes. This event is not heated. Find Sumit's Hot Yoga at 505 E Nifong Blvd, Suite 103.

Couples, friends or even those with children looking for a more unique experience can try the Valentine's Day Goat Yoga from Goat Yoga of MO and Sarah's Yoga Studio. Registration for the 6-7:30 p.m. event is available through eventbrite at $35. Drinks and treats are included. No yoga experience is needed and all ages welcomed. The event will take place in Goat Yoga of MO's heated barn. Guests are asked to arrive 15 minutes before the event starts to check-in. Guests can bring their own mat or rent one for $3. Find Goat Yoga of MO at 12401 E. Judy School Road in Columbia.

A handbuilding Pottery Date Night 6-8 p.m. Feb. 14 still is available at Access Arts as of Thursday. Similar wheel throwing date night classes have filled up and have a waitlist. No prior pottery experience is necessary for this $60 class, which covers two people. Feel free to bring your own beverages and snacks. Anything made at the class can be glazed and fired, and available for pick-up up around three to six weeks afterward. There is an additional $15 fee for pieces created beyond the two included in the class. Call 573-875-0275 for more information. Find Access Arts at 2109 Cottle Drive, Suite 113, in Columbia.

Family Valentine's Day fun

Families with young children have at least two Valentine's Day-related opportunities available in the area.

LabSpace Robotics, a youth science, technology, engineering, art and math makerspace, in Jefferson City will host Make a Mess — Valentine's Day crafts and cards class for children and families 10 a.m. Feb. 2. The paint station will be open and all the LabSpace toys will be available. This event is intended for those ages 3 to 7, but younger and older siblings are welcome. This is not a drop off activity, so parents should plan to stay and create with their children. Tuition is $7 for one child or $13 for the family. Call 573-645-0800 for more information. Find LabSpace Robotics at the Capital Mall, 3600 Country Club Drive, Suite 106.

If looking for something local, the Boone County History and Culture Center will host its Made with Love family event 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 10. Guests can view vintage Valentines, quilts and even art that was inspired by devotion to another, event information notes. Families will have an opportunity to create Valentines, make a paper quilt or write their own old-fashioned love letters at this free event. Updates will be posted to social media and to local news stations in case of inclement weather. Call 573-443-8936 for more information. Find the Boone County History and Culture Center at 3801 Ponderosa St. in Columbia.

Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Things to do around Columbia for Valentine's Day