How to Create a Romantic Valentine’s Day Evening at Home

How to Create a Romantic Valentine’s Day Evening at Home

On Valentine’s Day, the traditional “thing to do” is take your lady out to dinner. But, if you’ve ever tried to do that, you know that it’s difficult to get reservations, you may have to wait in line even with reservations and service may not always be the best because every restaurant is filled to capacity. And, all of this can cost you a pretty penny!

So why not treat your Valentine to a romantic evening at home. With a little planning you can give her a night to remember for about half the cost of going out. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a romantic Valentine’s Day evening at home:

1. Prep the House
   If you have roommates, arrange to have them out for the night. If you have children, find a babysitter or arrange for family to take the kids for the night.
   
   Valentines Day this year falls on a Tuesday, so we all still have to work, so plan to come home a little early from work to set up. If you don’t have time to clean the house you need to at least throw a new set of sheets on the bed and clean the bathroom. You know why women like going to hotels? Because the bathroom is clean and the bed is made, and they didn’t have to lift a finger!
   
   Have some soft music playing loud enough to hear but quiet enough so you two can talk over dinner. Have a bouquet of her favorite flowers, or if money is an issue, a single red rose placed on the bed is perfect. Set candles out around the house, in the bathroom, by the bed, in the living room and of course, on the table. Make sure to light them about 15 minutes before your evening will begin so they have a chance to burn and their scent fills the house.
   
2. Decide on Dinner
   There are three ways to tackle dinner – make dinner from scratch, order dinner from your favorite restaurant, or buy prepared foods from a specialty grocery store. For example, my sweetheart buys stuffed shrimp and small filet mignon from the local grocery store all prepared so all he has to do is pop them in the oven. At the same store he’ll pick up canolis (my favorite dessert) and a bottle of sparkling wine.
   
   If you’re going to make dinner from scratch, try to do a few things ahead so you don’t spend the evening in the kitchen. You can also set out fondue with cheese or chocolate and have breads or fruit for dipping. This can be romantic since you can feed each other.
   
   If you decide to order out, skip the pizza, and go for take out from a nicer restaurant. Many of the chain restaurants like Chili’s and Outback Steakhouse do take out now. Choose something you both will like.
   
   You can set a simple elegant table for dinner or picnic in front of the fireplace. Please make sure that if you are having wine or champagne, that you have two nice fluted glasses. No one wants to drink champagne out of your old football mug.
   
3. Plan a couple of things to do
   Once you’ve eaten dinner you’ll need to have something to do. You can rent a romantic movie like Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, Bed of Roses, or something sexier like 9 1/2 weeks. If you’re not movie buffs, plan to draw a bath with oils and rose petals. Have champagne and chocolates around the bath and enjoy it together. Give her a foot massage or brush her hair. You’d be surprised how many women love to have their hair brushed. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s something you both enjoy and will give you a chance to talk, cuddle, and spend time together.

If you can do even half of this, you will create an evening for her that she won’t soon forget. Sometimes it’s the simple time we spend together that means the most. Try to stop worrying about “What should I get her?”, and focus on getting back to the basic pleasures of life - delicious food, beautiful flowers, the warm glow of a fireplace, soft music, good scents, and spending time with people you love.