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 wine because it’s our favorite drink to sip on.
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. If you want to change things up, make a few desserts together to indulge on. My favorite is red velvet fudge, it pairs perfect with all red wine.
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?
To be honest it is more comfortable to be at home and not have to fight with making reservations and getting dressed up! Too much pressure to go out-
I usually love dining out for Valentine’s Day, but don’t like getting dressed up in the cold weather! We might try and stay in this year!
I love to eat out at a restaurant – but we’d probably go on a different day to avoid the crowds.
It’s usually so crowed at restaurants during February it’s been our tradition to tag team and cook a lovely meal at home it’s more romantic this way
Fancy restaurants are such a nice treat.
Would much rather stay at home. Last year my husband and I stayed in and made steaks! This year we will have a 4 week old baby so we will for sure be staying in and cooking 🙂
-Lee Anne
I love cooking together for Valentine’s Day. So romantic and you don’t have to fight the crowds.
Cool giveaway, I am thinking of skipping valentines altogether this year but I love the idea of cooking own meal than splashing money on not so always nice food
I think I’d prefer at home. 🙂
I would rather celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 13 at a restaurant and stay home for a nice dinner on Feb. 14!
eat at a restaurant
Home, for sure!
My hubby and I don’t really celebrate, but I can say we do what you recommended all the time – great tips!
I like staying home and cuddling ! Great giveaway!
Valentine’s Day is my favorite! I enjoy making it a romantic day! <3
This Valentine’s Day we already made reservations for home. I’m cooking up something special for my husband and I 😀
I love to stay home and have our time, without all the fuss of getting ready and waiting in line. This way we can enjoy all the time together
We usually do Valentine’s Day at home and go out to a nice restaurant on a different date (not the 14th). Best of both worlds!
I’m excited for Valentines day actually. My husband and I go out to eat then get dessert at Ghiradelli Sq! 🙂
Restaurant!!!
We prefer to stay home and make the night special at home. We save money and don’t have to deal with the crowds or pay for a babysitter.
I would definitely rather eat at home!
i like the three course meal & adding lots of wine part!
I’d prefer a romantic night at home actually.
My boyfriend and I celebrate valentines day the same way! I love it!
KyMarieC
I love this. I feel like Vday is too commercialized and out of control. I prefer to celebrate valentines privately. Because I don’t need to show the world how much I love my husband. I just need to show him. We usually keep gifts to a minimum and just try to have a private evening in. Sooooo great.
I’d rather go out! 🙂 Thx for the chance
That’s a tough one. My hubby and I both love to cook and can cook really well. If it wasn’t so crowded at restaurants, that’s what I’d choose. But since we can cook and I’d rather not have to face the crowds, I’ll opt for staying home.
I’d rather stay home on the actual day and go out another night when restaurants have their normal menus and prices.
We go out before Valentine’s Day and they celebrate at home too. 😉
I can’t do all the entries as I don’t have instagram or the smart phone yet. 🙁
This year I would rather go out. Usually we stay in since everywhere is crowded.
I definitely rather stay home. Restaurants are too crowded and they hike their price. I prefer to stay home with my honey, cook a nice meal together and love him like I do every day. 🙂
I would rather stay home , thank you for the opportunity to win!
I would rather eat out
These are great ideas! We’ll actually get to go out this year. My parents will be here for Valentine’s Day and they’ll be watching the babies. So looking forward to it.
I would much rather stay home than go out! This year, may have to try the Manuscript Pinot Noir 🙂
I love a quiet romantic evening at home…
Stay home! I hate waiting for a table on Valentines Day!
We love spending VDay at home with the kids and then we go out another, less busy night. =)
We usually just eat at home. I don’t want to fight the crowds.
Both are great-this year we are taking a cooking class, so it is somewhere in the middle of staying home and going out!
I would rather stay home.
I would rather eat out.
Love this post and definitely stealing that lamb recipe. Hubby is a big lover of lamb, not a lover of going out to deal with the hassle on VDay! Thank you for sharing
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Love this kickstart – I always think about Valentine’s Day too late! I agree going out has become overcrowded and cliché, great alternative to stay at home!
oh, I totally love an at home dinner. It’s super sweet and romantic to me!
Oh I would much rather have a nice romantic meal at home!
I would rather eat at home, it’s always too crowded at the restaurants!
This year… totally at home.