You want to organize your February 14th evening with your partner at home, but you do not know where to start? No problem, we will take care of everything, well, guide you through it.
Key points
- The element of surprise: from their arrival to the end of your evening, be sure it will be your best friend.
- Organization: prepare your evening (Gentlemen, not 10 minutes before!)
- Pleasure: please them by pleasing yourself.
Step 1: The invitation
The ultimate key to a successful evening: the "no no-show". Make sure your partner is not planning to organize something on their side. Take the lead by inviting them to your evening.
How? I would tend to advise you to keep it "simple". The less you say, the more they will wonder, and the easier it will be to apply the element of surprise.
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By what means? In my opinion, starting the discussion in the middle of an afternoon walk/shopping/Netflix session would be dangerous: you expose yourself to several minutes/hours of questioning. Start the conversation at the end of a "meeting", at the end of a call, or by message (yes, there you can allow yourself).
Step 2: A gift
And yes, let us remember, we are celebrating your love! What kind of celebration would it be without a gift? Give them something from the heart. Here are a few ideas: a piece of jewelry, a bracelet, a necklace, earrings, a ring (mind the symbolism), a giant teddy bear for moments when you are away, chocolates or one of their little pleasures, flowers, a perfume or makeup, a romantic weekend or a vacation, a parachute jump or more generally a gift box.
Step 3: The flow of the evening
We already know you are organizing everything at your place, but why not start the festivities elsewhere? You could go for a walk to your first meeting place, have an aperitif during a romantic stroll.
That being said, let us move on. If you went out beforehand, you must make sure everything is ready upon your arrival at home (with your partner in tow). The table set, the decoration installed, the playlist ready to go.
Three points then present themselves: the arrival, the decor, and the dinner.
The arrival
As I said above, if you arrive together from a pre-party, everything must be ready in advance. Now let us assume your partner joins you at home. Make sure nothing is lying around, the floor is clean, and the room is aired out. Put yourself in your guest's shoes for a moment, and correct the few details you spot.
The decor
Naturally, decoration is one of the major topics of your evening. Here are the essential points: create a dimmed ambiance: close the curtains, light candles (at least one on the table if you are running short), and turn off lights that are too bright. Prepare the sound ambiance: nothing beats a good old playlist. Find one that brings together the sounds your partner usually listens to. If you are unsure, one tip: nothing beats 90s R&B. Set the table: no need to remind you of the typical elements of a table set for a couple. Do not hesitate to get a rose from your florist to place in the center of the table (and to offer, by the way).
Bonus: opt for a scented candle, it makes an impression. Bonus 2: do not always look for sophistication. The simplest is, once again, the certainty of pleasing.
The dinner
When someone talks to me about Valentine's Day, it resonates in my head as a "celebration", and who says celebration says champagne. Favor bubbles with a good bottle, and accompany your meal with the right wine. You do not drink alcohol? No problem. Opt for alcohol-free champagne or a bottle you will know how to savor together.
For dinner, some will tell you to avoid this, to favor that, and so on. Once again, the key words remain: please them. Keep in mind that you are at home, and you are the boss. I say this so you avoid tensing up thinking: "I did not do things right" or "I ruined my dinner" or "They will be disappointed." I say no. Once again, this evening is the visual and tangible transcription of what you consider "good, pleasant, welcoming, warm, charming" for your partner. One will love pasta, while the other will love seafood. No generic dish will guarantee you victory.
The tip I would keep in mind, however, is this: avoid getting delivery. Cook as much as possible, let everything come from you. You will understand why I say this when you see the satisfaction in their eyes. Do not hesitate to use a recipe app, they are very effective.
