How to Plan a Valentine's Day Candlelit Dinner

A romantic, candlelit dinner for two is a classic Valentine's Day gift. You can either cook or bring in dinner, but plan to spend time with your Valentine alone. Especially for parents of young children, a candlelit dinner means a rare chance to reconnect with your spouse (and eat a meal while it is still hot).

Things You'll Need

• Babysitter, if needed
• Cookbooks
• Restaurant menus (optional)
• Table linen and napkins
• Candles
• Matches
• Printer with card stock paper
• Bottle of wine or sparkling non-alcoholic beverage
• Dressy clothing

Instructions

1. Decide when to hold your candlelit Valentine's Day dinner based on your respective calendars. If Valentine's Day falls during the work week, it may be more convenient to have a special dinner on the weekend before or after the holiday.

2. Make plans for your children, if applicable, so that you and your spouse can have your candlelit dinner alone. You may want to plan on having a late dinner after the kids are asleep or arrange for them to spend the evening, and possibly overnight, with a relative or family friend.

3. Plan the menu and shop for your romantic dinner. You may decide to make your partner's favorite foods, or you might want to try a new recipe. Many cookbooks have sample menus for holidays or parties that you can adjust to your own needs.

4. Bring food in from a restaurant if cooking is not your forte, or supplement your home-cooked meal with appetizers from your favorite little bistro. A romantic meal does not mean you have to actually create it all from scratch. The main idea is to enjoy the company of your spouse on Valentine's Day.

5. Set the table for your candlelit dinner. Use a nice tablecloth and napkins and your "special occasion" dishes if you have them. Place your candles on the table and remember the matches.

6. Print up a menu of your meal on cream-colored card stock in a romantic font. Arrange the menu on your partner's plate, as in an elegant restaurant. The menu can later be used as part of a scrapbook page to remember your evening.

7. Chill a bottle of wine or a sparkling non-alcoholic beverage. Set out wineglasses with the rest of the place setting so you can toast each other.

8. Enjoy your romantic, candlelit dinner with your Valentine. Even more so, enjoy the time together to talk, reminisce and look forward to the future.

Tips & Warnings

• Create an intimate, cozy atmosphere in your home so that it feels as if you are at a fancy restaurant. Put on some soft music, light a fire if you have a fireplace and dress up in nice clothing.