Trying to enjoy a meal out on Valentine’s Day isn’t fun, it’s stressful. Restaurants are packed, wait times are long, and it’s often not the romantic outing you think it will be. A nice meal at home is often much more enjoyable, and eating outdoors can make it even more romantic with these tips below.
- Light up the night. Part of what makes outdoor dining so romantic is often the lighting. Add some cozy warmth and light with your firepit, candles, and/or string lights around your patio. It will make a huge difference!
- Add a few pretty details. While lighting can go a long way in making an outdoor dinner feel romantic, you’ll want to add in a few other details. Flowers are never a bad idea, but you can even take it a step further with a pretty tablecloth, cloth napkins, dishes, or even a pretty backdrop or paper lanterns.
- Set the mood with music. Music is essential for a romantic outdoor dining experience. Invest in a good weatherproof speaker and create a romantic playlist using a service like Spotify or Pandora.
- Don’t overthink the food. While you want to make sure you have a nice meal, you also don’t want to spend too much time cooking and not get that one-on-one time with your special someone. Prepare a salad or charcuterie board ahead of time for an easy first course and then keep the classics for your main course. A nice steak or seafood is classic and can easily be done on the grill, so you don’t even have to leave the patio and your loved one. You can bring a frying pan outside for some roasted potatoes and/or sauteed veggies for an easy side. Dessert is usually a part of Valentine’s Day dinners, but most options can be prepped ahead of time.
- Cuddle up with cozy blankets. February nights are often still pretty chilly, so don’t forget blankets and pillows when dining outside. Your fire pit can add some nice warmth too, or if you have a patio heater, now is a great time to use it.
- Don’t forget drinks. When you’re cooking at home, it can be easy to focus on the food, but don’t forget the drinks. Wine is classic and doesn’t require any mixing, but if you or your significant other has a signature cocktail, mix it up a pitcher ahead of time.