Your Ultimate Guide to Planning a Romantic Valentine’s Day Evening

It is the most romantic day of the year and the perfect opportunity to really go out of your way to show your partner how much you adore and appreciate them. Not sure where to start when it comes to planning a romantic evening ahead of the big day? Here are some helpful guidelines to keep in mind.

Choosing the Location

One of the most important aspects to consider when planning the perfect Valentine’s evening is where you are going to spend it. While many couples will head to a luxurious restaurant and hold hands in the glowing candlelight, many others find that it is even more romantic to spend the evening snuggling on the couch at home. The location that you choose should obviously take into consideration the two of you as individuals, as well as who you are as a couple. Do you enjoy spending time alone together in the comfort of your home, or are you more social? If it is usually important to you to get out and do something new, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to do exactly that.

The only difference is that you will have a lot more freedom to plan something spectacular and unique if you are staying home. Think a warm and inviting bubble bath amidst scattered rose petals, a loved-up slow dancing party in the lounge and a pillow fight and ice cream before bed. Plus, you will have the opportunity to really show off your skills in the kitchen. This is great news if you already fancy yourself a pretty talented amateur chef. However, if you are not nearly as experienced in the kitchen as you would like to be, now is not the time to try your hand at a chocolate soufflé. Unless you endeavour to practice the dishes that you want to make for Valentine’s Day weeks in advance and you are confident that you will be able to pull it off when it really counts, it is much better to play it safe. You definitely do not have to cook anything complicated. Instead, focus on flavour and presentation, as these will be the two aspects that he or she is likely to pay the most attention to.

According to Brit + Co, some great ideas for a romantic dinner include:

• Sous Vide Steak
• Crispy Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs
• Shrimp and Gnocchi With Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce
• French Onion Pot Roast
• One-Pan Cheesy Spaghetti Pie
• Cuban Mojo Marinated Pork
• Strawberry Ravioli With Balsamic and Basil
• Slow-Cooker Cassoulet
• Spinach and Three Cheese Manicotti
• Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
• Creamy Masala Mussels

If you are heading out for the evening, keep in mind that most locations can get pretty crowded on this special night. Furthermore, most activities and meals at restaurants are more costly than usual. So, be sure that you are up to dealing with this if going out on Valentine’s Day is the avenue that you choose.

Focus on the Details

A truly successful Valentine’s Day evening is determined by the small details. It is, after all, the little things that count. Therefore, you will want to spend some time planning these aspects. Think about lighting some candles, investing in some aromatic massage oil, purchasing your partner a ‘welcome home’ bouquet of flowers and wear a stylish outfit that shows you have made the effort to look good for them. Most importantly, no V-day event is ever complete without a super romantic playlist including all of your favourite love songs. According to Billboard, these are the top 20 love songs of all time (all are definite must-adds to your playlist):

• "Vision of Love" - Mariah Carey
• "It Must Have Been Love" - Roxette
• "Love Takes Time" - Mariah Carey
• "Woman in Love" - Barbra Streisand
• "Love Is Blue" - Paul Mauriat
• "To Know Him Is to Love Him" - The Teddy Bears
• "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" - Queen
• "Because You Loved Me" - Celine Dion
• "My Love" - Paul McCartney and Wings
• "Bleeding Love" - Leona Lewis
• "I Can’t Stop Loving You" - Ray Charles
• "Best of My Love" - The Emotions
• "Because I Love You (The Postman Song)" - Stevie B
• "Let Me Love You" - Mario
• "I Will Always Love You" - Whitney Houston
• "Silly Love Songs" - Wings
• "How Deep Is Your Love" - Bee Gees
• "We Found Love" - Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
• "I’ll Make Love to You" - Boyz II Men
• "Endless Love" Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

Make a Day of It

Instead of simply pulling out all of the stops in the evening when your partner gets home from work, go out of your way to make the entire day special. Get up early, and whip up something delicious in the kitchen to spoil your beloved with breakfast in bed. Then, pack a hearty, indulgent lunch and give your loved one a sizeable smooch before either of you head out the door to start the day. Send flowers to the office or pop in and drop off a teaser gift to make your sweetheart feel special. By the time your partner arrives home, the mood will already be set to savour every moment of what is left of this amazing day. And, your loved one will be all the more surprised and happy when it becomes apparent just how much effort you put into making it incredible.

Find the Perfect Gift

While it is important to show your love in your actions (you are definitely doing a great job of that so far!), Valentine’s Day just isn’t complete without the perfect gift. Steer clear of the clichéd, over-priced gifts that everyone expects, like chocolates, flowers and teddy bears, and opt for something more meaningful. A top choice is to buy a gift that encompasses a selection of both of your best-loved memories and moments, and that is completely personal to the two of you as a couple. Here are some great ideas to consider:

• Beautiful Photobooks:

  Nowadays, we are so used to snapping pictures on our smartphones and scrolling through our over-crowded galleries that we have forgotten just how special a tangible photobook or photo album can actually be. Select a few favourite photos and create a unique design for your book, choosing between a hard and softcover finish, and you will have a nostalgic, sentimental gift that your partner will cherish forever. At RapidStudio, you have complete freedom when it comes to creating your photobook – and it is all done online for your convenience.

• Custom Canvas Prints:

  Display your unique love on the walls of your home for everyone to see. Whether you opt to create custom canvas prints from your wedding day or a first date, or whether you opt to create custom canvas prints of your children or your favourite family photographs, they are certain to add a special touch to your living space. Obviously, it will make a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift too! Choose from boxmount canvas, contemporary canvas, floating canvas and skinny canvas.

• Canvas Clocks:

  Another personalised canvas gift that can make for a super romantic Valentine’s Day gift. Choose from a wide range of different sizes and shapes, along with your favourite romantic photograph, and we will print it around the sides of a 20 mm thick frame that is stunningly seamless and effortlessly elegant.

• Wall Calendars:

  If your sweetheart has yet to invest in a wall calendar for the year, now is your chance to get them one that reminds them of all the good times and ensures that they look forward to the future! Choose your size, layout and put 12 of your best photos together, and we will print it for you in a flash.

• Bits and Bobs:

  Here at RapidStudio, we have so many customizable photo gifts for you to choose from, you might even want to invest in more than one. They all make for ideal Valentine’s Day spoils and include anything and everything from custom photo flippers and puzzles to keyrings, mousepads and magnets.

• Homeware Gifts:

  Spruce up any room in your home with custom photo gifts like coasters, cutting boards, mugs and placemats, to name just a few ideas.

We also stock stunning gift packaging to help you ensure that your selected Valentine’s Day present is truly as special as it can possibly be. Our gift packaging options include drawstring album gift bags, gift boxes, eco-friendly paper gift bags and rustic wooden gift boxes.

Extra Tips

Here are three helpful tips to keep in mind:

1. Remember to start planning your Valentine’s Day at least a few weeks in advance. This is especially important if you want to spend it at a restaurant or another popular Valentine’s Day location, as space tends to fill up very quickly.
2. You will also want to order your chosen Valentine’s Day gift as far in advance as possible, as many retailers and online stores will receive an abundance of orders at this time of year. By ordering early, you can enjoy total peace of mind that your gift will arrive before V-Day with plenty of time to spare.
3. Finally, keep in mind just how long the two of you have been together when planning something special. While you have more freedom if you have been dating or married for a while, you may want to be cautious about just how extravagant your plans are if you have only been together for a few weeks or months. Anything too overzealous could make your ‘new’ partner feel uncomfortable or anxious. If you do not know them too well yet, a great tip is to speak to his or her friends regarding what it is that she would like, and then base your plans on their suggestions.

For those couples who have been together for a long time, it is really easy to make any and every Valentine’s Day special by personalising it. Take the time to create new traditions and emulate them each and every year. For instance, if you had your first date at a specific restaurant, always pop in there on Valentine’s Day, even if it is just for a quick drink before you head off to the movies or to play a game of ten pin bowling. If bacon and eggs were the meal you enjoyed the morning after your wedding day, always strive to make it for each other the morning of Valentine’s Day. These small details can go a long way towards keeping the spark alive and reminding each other why you fell in love in the first place.

Ultimately, it really is the thought that counts. The mere fact that you are doing extensive research into making your partner’s Valentine’s Day memorable is a sure-fire sign that it is going to be a success. So, be creative, be thoughtful, and enjoy every moment. After all, it is your Valentine’s Day too!