Although it’s no longer ‘holiday season’, we still have a few fun holidays to celebrate! Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it. Yes, it might be a commercial holiday but I still love everything that comes along with it – the cheesy presents, date night and quality time with my loved one. As much as I loved getting dolled up and hitting the town, I believe that Valentine’s dinner spent at home is just as special.
For the past couple of years, we’ve made it our tradition to stay home during Valentine’s Day and skip the expensive meal. I’ll still cook a scrumptious meal but it’s much more personal than heading out to the restaurants. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on a meal that is less than impressive, why not spend that money to make the perfect Valentine’s Day at the comfort of your own home? I wanted to share with you how to create the perfect Valentine’s Day at home.
Make a Menu
There are a few components that you won’t want to miss while making your menu. I highly suggest making a 3 course meal and adding lots of wine. Think about different foods that you both enjoy and also think about something that you don’t eat all of the time. You both might love spaghetti and it would be a safe bet for dinner but since it’s Valentine’s Day think outside of the box.
I came across a delicious recipe for Honey Balsamic Lamb Chops that I will be serving with a side of asparagus. While the meal is cooking, I’ll have cheese, crackers and wine sitting out so we can enjoy the moment. I’ll be picking up multiple bottles of Manuscript Wines Pinot Noir. It’s a mesmerizing mix of strawberry, lychee, black cherry and pomegranate—with gentle, earthy layers of cedar, vanilla and crème fraîche. It’ll be the perfect wine for our lamb chops!
Clean Your Space
Make sure the house is clean. This might seem like the obvious, but you would be surprised how often this step is looked over. Don’t worry, you don’t have to deep clean the house but I would suggest cleaning areas that you will be eating and spending the most time in. No one wants to sit in a dirty space while trying to have a romantic evening. Worst case scenario – hire a maid to come a day or two before Valentine’s Day for a few hours.
Head to the Grocery Store
I don’t like to go to the grocery store when my kitchen is dirty. Cooking in a dirty kitchen is a huge pet peeve of mine so I like to make sure it’s spotless. Before you head to the grocery store, make sure you have added all of the items needed from your menu. A few things to pick up that aren’t food items are candles and flowers. If you’re a guy, get your girl flowers. Either have them sent to her work or have them at home waiting for her. If you’re a girl, buy yourself flowers at the store if your guy failed to. I buy myself flowers about 50% of the time that I go the store. In my opinion, the more flowers (and wine) that I have in my house, the better.
Cook Together
Even though you might want to cook everything for your loved one, let them get involved even if it’s something super simple. I’ve cooked dinner all by myself for my husband on Valentine’s Day a few times and it was not romantic. Since I cook dinner every single night for him, it felt no different. Even if you do end up cooking everything, make sure they’re present in the kitchen or the kitchen nook keeping you company. This is the perfect time to snack on cheese and open your bottle of Pinot Noir (or your Manuscript Wine of choice).
Eat and Converse
Set your dining room table with candles and flowers. I highly suggest steering clear of the living room while eating. Turn the TV off, set your phone aside, turn on some low music and actually talk to each other! It’s amazing the amount of conversation that we don’t have each and everyday because of technology. I’m completely guilty of it too. Make Valentine’s Day special for you and your loved one. Give them all your attention.
Enjoy the Night
Remember that everything might not go perfect. Dinner might take a little longer than expected, the house might not be spotless but as long as your making happy memories none of that matters. If you ask me, as long as there is wine involved, there will be plenty of happy memories!
Want to create the perfect Valentine’s day at home?
I LIKE TO SPEND VALENTINES AT HOME BECAUSE I CAN SNUGGLE UP WITH MY LOVE.
I prefer to stay at home on Valentine’s Day. Restaurants in NYC jack up the prices for a 3-course prix fixe dinner, and it’s so contrived.
I love going out to eat on Valentine’s Day!
Eat at a cozy restaurant!
I would much rather stay at home on Valentine’s Day. My hubby and I have been married 26 years and we celebrate our first date which was on Valentine’s Day. We love cooking a gourmet dinner together, some wine and music, perfect night at home and very romantic 🙂
Love these plans! Last year my ex made this very elaborate Valentines and while I appreciated it, it was chaotic and miss the point of being together. Will keep this in mind for the the next time I have a Valentine
I’d rather stay home for Valentine’s Day and make my husband a healthy and delicious dinner!
stay at home
I would rather stay home with my family
I actually prefer to stay home and cook a nice dinner and dessert, and just lounge around, maybe catch up on some Netflix with the hubby, we just like to be comfy in our own home.
For Valentine’s day I like to stay in for dinner, but go out for desert.
I prefer to stay at home with hubby on Valentines Day due to the crowds. We usually go out the next day to celebrate at our favorite restaurant.
I would rather stay home… too expensive and too crowded!
I’d rather stay at home because I only have one person I trust to babysit our children.
I prefer to spend Valentine’s Day with a fancy dinner date at home. My birthday is 1 week before, so we always go out for a big dinner, etc. on my birthday & avoid the restaurant craziness of Feb 14th!
I would stay at home with my husband and celebrate Valentine’s day with him like we do every year
Spending Valentines Day at home with fantastic food and wine is always a winner!
We always spend those special days at home. We celebrate our love EVERY day. Nomdesingated day is needed.
MUCH rather stay in on such a busy night!
It depends on the year. This year I would like to go out because of my LO and having us time. Last year it was eating in
I would rather stay at home and cook with my husband.
I would rather eat at a restaurant
i’d rather stay at home
staying at home cooking a fancy vegan dinner!
Love celebrating at home as well! This year we are planning on cooking it up with our littles with a “fancy” meal.
I’d rather eat a wonderful meal at home
I would rather eat at a restaurant.. have someone wait on me hand and foot.
I would rather stay home.
Love celebrating at home as well! This year we are planning on cooking it up with our littles with a "fancy" meal..
Until I perfected my cooking, restaurant haha.
I would love to stay home, and have my husband surprise me with a nice dinner
I’d stay home 🙂
I really prefer staying home. I hate crowded restaurants!
I like to get dolled-up and go out for a fun dinner and drinks, then head home for some cuddling and a great glass of wine! 🙂
I would rather go out to dinner.
I was just wondering when would a winner be announced?
Hey Lowanda! We’re verifying the winner now. Will get it posted soon!