Planning for Valentine’s Day can be a little challenging, especially if you don’t feel like dining out or aren’t ready to brave the crowds just yet. You don’t have to give up on this special day altogether, though, because you can enjoy all the benefits of a high-end restaurant from the comfort of your own home.
Here are five tips for creating a five-star Valentine’s Day dinner experience without leaving the house.
Valentine’s Day can really be special because it provides the motivation to plan a nice evening with your partner. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to do that or even leave the house, either, if you follow some quick tips for creating the ideal atmosphere at home.
Cook a delicious meal
Planning and preparing your Valentine’s Day dinner with your partner can bring you closer and ensure you won’t miss out on restaurant-quality cuisine just because you aren’t heading out this year. Go to the grocery store together a few days in advance and pick out the ingredients you’ll need to cook a first-class meal at home.
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Buy a nice wine
Dining at a fancy restaurant might include ordering an expensive bottle of wine that costs more than its actual value. Eating at home means you can buy that same bottle of wine at retail price or splurge and go for a high-end bottle that would cost a fortune at a restaurant.
Buying the right wine to pair with your meal might be a little more difficult than ordering at a restaurant because you won’t have a sommelier. All the information you’ll need is available online, though, so doing a little research beforehand ensures you choose the right one.
Pick some enjoyable music
Most restaurants have background music to enjoy while you dine, and in some cases, they might have an in-house band playing jazz or classical tunes. While you probably won’t be having a band play in your living room, you can curate a playlist with your partner.
Selecting the evening’s music yourself gives you all the control over what you’ll hear. That way, you can choose your favorite songs, and you aren’t confined by genre or artist.
Get dressed up
One of the best parts of going out for dinner on Valentine’s Day is getting dressed up. You might not don your fancy studs often, so having an opportunity to wear that suit or dress that’s been sitting in your closet for years is exciting.
But who says you can’t wear your fanciest threads while dining on a gourmet meal at home? Putting on some nice clothes will make your home-cooked feast feel more formal and help create a romantic atmosphere for Valentine’s Day.
Plan some after-dinner activities
The one thing your at-home Valentine’s Day dinner has that a restaurant does not is an abundance of after-meal activities. Once you finish eating, you can play a game, watch a movie, do some crafts, go for a walk, mix up some cocktails, learn a dance, or do anything else you want to do that evening.
It’s also an excellent time to start planning future activities. Travel and dining out have been challenging the last couple of years, but talking about prospective plans can make the night far more enjoyable.
Get ready for Valentine’s Day dinner
Your Valentine’s Day plans don’t have to suffer just because you don’t feel safe going out this year. You have all the tools you need to create a romantic atmosphere right in your home.
What are some of your tips for an at-home Valentine’s Day dinner? Let us know in the comment section, and don’t forget to share these tips with others as we get closer to February 14.