| So you've heard that a wonderful, romantic dinner can | | | | good idea to vacuum a day or two before, so that |
| be created at home. Maybe you've even seen a few | | | | you don't run around at the last moment trying to get |
| movies where the hero woos the girl (or vice versa) | | | | everything done. Make sure all the surfaces are clean, |
| by cooking a lovely dinner and serving it by candlelight. | | | | and clear away any clutter. |
| However, you heard that your friend Jeff had a | | | | On Valentines Day, make sure it's just the two of you |
| disaster when he tried to replicate it - the pasta burned | | | | at home. This means asking any housemates to stay |
| and his girlfriend was allergic to the scented candles. | | | | away, and keeping any pets away. If you have |
| Don't be like Jeff - follow these tips and make sure | | | | children, arrange for babysitting beforehand, and make |
| your dinner is a success! | | | | sure you also have a back-up plan in case the |
| First of all, don't try to cook something really fancy, | | | | babysitter reneges. |
| unless you're already an accomplished cook. Try | | | | Dress up for the date, and let your partner know that |
| making something simple, like pasta or roast | | | | it's "formal home" wear! This will make the date seem |
| vegetables with smoked fish. Practice beforehand, to | | | | like more of an occasion, and you'll enjoy looking good |
| make sure that you can pull off the meal. In addition, | | | | for your date. |
| check that your partner doesn't have any dietary | | | | Serve the dinner on nice plates, with proper silverware |
| restrictions. For instance, you wouldn't want to serve a | | | | and glasses. Make sure you have napkins at the table. |
| beef roast to a vegetarian. Some restrictions might be | | | | Consider adding a centrepiece of fresh flowers, or a |
| less obvious though - your partner might have an | | | | candle-stand. Clean up any messes or spills before |
| allergy, or dislike certain foods. | | | | your partner arrives. |
| Try to cook something that won't take too much | | | | Create the right mood for dinner. Lighting is the most |
| effort. Unless your partner is a food snob (in which | | | | important factor to creating a good ambiance, so |
| case they should be cooking for you!) it's ok to use | | | | make sure that the lights aren't too harsh. Consider |
| some convenience foods: for example, you can buy | | | | leaving the lights dimmed before dinner, then switching |
| pasta sauce or pizza base, rather than cooking | | | | them off and eating by candle-light. Never ever have |
| everything from scratch. Try to make something that | | | | the TV on for such a dinner! Don't play loud music |
| you can cook beforehand and then heat before | | | | either. Instead, play classical music or jazz, on low |
| serving, or cut and season everything so that you can | | | | volume. How will you know when the volume is |
| just pop it in the oven before your partner arrives. | | | | perfect? The right volume for music will mean that the |
| Make sure you're not too exhausted from cooking to | | | | two of you can talk softly and still hear each other, but |
| enjoy the date! Try not to do anything that's too fancy | | | | when you're silent you can hear the gentle melodies. |
| - don't aim to create a three course meal that you | | | | Remember to relax during the dinner and enjoy your |
| spent all day cooking. | | | | partner's company. Don't worry if they like the food or |
| Make sure the dinner isn't too filling. Because this is | | | | not, or about how you'll do the dishes afterwards. |
| Valentines, you both want to be full, but not too stuffed | | | | Have a good time, talk and have fun as though you |
| to enjoy time together after dinner. Consider serving | | | | were in a restaurant. |
| foods that are considered aphrodisiacs, like oysters. A | | | | If the food you've cooked is tasty, your house is clean |
| nice, sparkling wine creates a romantic mood, as does | | | | and has nice lighting and music, you should be able to |
| a dessert of strawberries dipped in chocolate or with | | | | create a perfect, romantic evening at home for |
| whipped cream. | | | | Valentines Day. |
| Tidy up the house before the date. It's generally a | | | | |