It makes sense to dress for success, but it may also be worth considering how you dress your table this Valentine’s Day if you’re planning a night of fine dining and traditionally obligatory romance.
You’ll need to set the scene, plan well in advance and pay attention to the little things to make the evening the best it can be. A sharp outfit (with a comfortable waistband to accommodate dinner…) some ambient music and a well-orchestrated and presented meal will make for a very happy Valentine! To get your senses tingling, we’ve come up with a few essential touches to show that special person in your life just how much you care.
Candle Light
You may have noticed that love rarely blossoms under the icy, unforgiving glow of a florescent lamp. The lights in your home will be used day in day out, so offer your Valentine an escape from reality by lighting the room differently to promote a relaxed and romantic atmosphere. An open fire is a wonderful touch but if your house is unequipped with a designated fireplace then maybe stick to dotting a few lit candles around the room. One or two scented candles will provide a lovely sensory experience – but be careful not to overdo it. You don’t want your lovely one ended up close to asphyxiated by floral fumes.
Functional Furniture
We’re not suggesting that you go out and buy a new table to impress your other half (although this might earn you brownie points if your other half has been dropping hints about wanting a new table) but if you decide to set up a fine dinner on a rickety TV dinner table for one, you’ll find yourself losing a good 98% of the romantic ambience so commonly associated with a Valentine’s dinner date. Fix any rickety table legs with folded card, choose fully functional chairs with all the necessary fittings and consider covering any dings in your table tops with a tablecloth such as our ‘True Love’ PVC offering. This will all have your loved one not only amazed by the effort you’ve gone to in the provision of a wonderful meal but also your fantastic presentation skills.
Attention to Detail
Showing your Valentine that you can go the extra mile in catering to their personal tastes and preferences is guaranteed to earn you no end of gold stars. If you know their favourite food then incorporates it in the menu. If they love the Beatles, I personally would recommend the ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club’ album for background noise. If their favourite drink is neat gin served in a crystal chalice garnished with pineapple slices, then make sure you stock up.
Apply your creative intuition to your surroundings with the likes of scattered flower petals, hanging fairy lights and maybe a little bundle of thoughtful gifts waiting at their table setting...
Good Food
And so to the menu! Always play to your strengths. If you’re the kind of person who manages to burn frozen peas then maybe don’t dive straight into the preparation of three high maintenance courses with French names that you can’t properly pronounce. If you’re floundering for ideas consider your Valentine’s favourite food and have a look through your local supermarket for a fancy microwavable version. As for matching food to wine- remember red for red meat, and white for fish and chicken. If you get stuck, buy the pink one.
If you have any great tips for co-ordinating the perfect Valentines dinner plans, share them with us in the comments!