Five days to go and you still have not made plans for Valentine’s Day…but the love of your life is expecting something special. What to do! Here are ten ideas to spark your creativity and hopefully save the day.
1. Hire a Personal Chef. Combine the intimacy of eating at home with the luxury of having someone else cook for you. There are many resources online with the contact information of chefs that will help you plan the ultimate romantic meal for two. They do all the shopping, come to your home, cook the entire meal, serve you dessert and then leave just in time. You can complement your romantic soiree with live music – a cool jazz or blues trio or a sultry singer… and feel free to dance the night away!
2. Prepare a Special Rendezvous at Home. Pick a theme for the night and pull out the big guns. Cook a special romantic meal or go to your favorite restaurant and pre-order your Seduction Meal. For example – let’s try a Japanese theme. Order a dazzling array of sushi and be sure to plate each dish with the creative flair of top Japanese chefs. Buy a bottle or two of high quality saki to serve warm (be sure to get a sake set with two cups), and serve up a bowl of edamame and seaweed salad to start. Line up your dinner table with your beautifully plated dishes and five or six (unscented) candles, some roses – and to really get into the mood share a gift of silk kimonos or PJs for a delightful Asian night together. You get the idea.
3. Plan a night of Chocolate Seduction. How about a fondue party for two. Pick up a Fondue set from a department store or a specialty food store. Plan a menu of vegetables and meats to dip into wonderful cheese or other types of dipping sauces. Perhaps you can whip up a special Mole dipping sauce to be served with skewered grilled chicken. Serve champagne to set a special mood and be sure to save some room for chocolate dipped strawberries and other exotic fruits.
4. A Bathtub for Two. For married couples and free spirits – wouldn’t it be fun to get sexy and creative. How about working with that Japanese themed dinner described above only after the first course of edamame, seaweed salad and sake – let’s move to a luxurious hot bath tub where you have arranged an array of beautifully plated sushi plates and hot sake. Be sure to add flowers, lots of candles and two very lush robes for afterwards. Pure seafood seduction! Chop sticks, mini sake cups, delicate morsels of food and seductive music will set the mood. The rest is up to you.
5. A Weekend Get-Away. This year Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday – a great excuse to extend this special day of romance to the weekend. Perhaps a ski trip for two? February is still a great time for outdoor winter sports, apres ski time, and cozy, romantic dinners in front of the fireplace. This might be tough, given the late day for planning but if you are connected, resourceful and determined you just might find a home for the weekend using online rental sites such as HomeAway.com or VRBO.com. If you can’t get a reservation for dinner in the town you’ll be visiting, be sure to shop and plan for your romantic meal for two before you get to your destination if you can, supermarkets may close early. Be prepared.
6. Get Creative. Make it Special. Shake things up – go for the unexpected (See #4). Move your living furniture out of the way and place a small round table and two chairs in front of the fireplace – enjoy your cozy dinner for two (a meal you cooked or a delivery from your favorite restaurant beautifully plated by you). If you live in warmer climates – serve dinner on the rooftop under the stars, or opt for a soiree on your boat (or rent a boat for the night) and enjoy a midnight sail under the moonlight.
7. Cooking Classes. If you are both foodies and enjoy cooking and eating great food, call your local cooking school to see if there is anything special going on for Valentine’s Day. This could be a private cooking class (preferred) or a group. It really depends on your personality. You could also consider a private cooking class at your home.
8. Four Play – a Special Massage for Two. Just before dinner, how about a message for two at your home. Hire two local masseuses and treat yourself and your loved one to a very special, relaxing affair that you can enjoy together. Have two luxurious robes on hand and set up a room with soft sensual music, your favorite scented candles and fruit infused water. Dinner should be something simple that you made the night before that can be easily heated up while you are being pampered. You can also go to a spa for the treatments if you can get reservations at this late date.
9. A Seductive Shopping Spree for Her. On Valentine’s Day – leave work early and take your votre amour on a sexy shopping spree picking provocative outfits for the night ahead at her favorite lingerie boutique. Oh la la! Don’t forget the champagne, chocolates and the flowers for the full effect.
10. VIP Treatment – Pull an All Nighter. If you are in-the-know and connected, can easily get into THE hottest night club, late night restaurant, private club or party – go for it. You might not have had time for that romantic meal for two, but getting dressed to the nines, hiring a limo, and sipping champagne in the back is fun and special; ending the night with flirtatious dancing and socializing might be the just the thing for you.
