A Valentine’s Dinner That Will Leave Him Speechless

Setting the Scene for a Magical Evening

Creating the perfect ambiance is crucial for a memorable Valentine’s dinner. Here’s a detailed guide to help you set the stage for an evening that will leave him speechless.

What You’ll Need

• White tablecloth
• 20 silver balloons
• Silver ribbon
• Assorted white candles (unscented)
• Red cardboard sheets
• Blu-Tack or safe adhesive
• White platter for prawns (or preferred substitute)
• Small white plates
• Ice and lemons for prawn platter
• Two servings of French fries
• Seafood sauce for dipping
• Bowl for prawn shells
• Finger bowl with lemon slices
• Red paper napkins
• Forks
• Small gold stars
• Ornamental opaque glass pebbles
• Small posy of flowers
• Small vase
• Aromatherapy oil burner
• Essential oils: rose, jasmine, mandarin
• Cool, sensual music (soul music recommended)

Setting the Mood and Table

1. Decorate with Balloons and Hearts: Inflate the silver balloons and tie them with silver ribbons. Place them around the dining area, including chairs and the ceiling. Cut out red cardboard hearts and stick them around the room using Blu-Tack.

2. Aromatherapy: Fill the aromatherapy oil burner with water and add 3 drops of rose oil, 3 drops of jasmine oil, and 5 drops of mandarin oil. Light the tea light candle about 30 minutes before your partner arrives.

3. Table Setup: Lay the white tablecloth on the table. Group some candles together at one end of the table and place the remaining candles around the room. Ensure candles are not near flammable objects and never leave them unattended.

4. Platter and Plates: Position the large white platter in the center of the table, with the shell bowl and finger bowl with lemon slices next to it. Place red napkins and forks on top of smaller plates at each seating position.

5. Decorative Touches: Arrange the opaque glass pebbles around the candle display and the prawn platter. Sprinkle a small amount of gold stars on the table for added effect. Place the posy of flowers in a small vase on the table.

His Gift

• Selection of fine chocolates
• Bottle of red wine
• Two red wine glasses
• Red ribbon
• Valentine’s Day card

Tie the two red wine glasses to the wine bottle with the red ribbon and place them on the table along with the Valentine’s Day card. Scatter the chocolates around the table for a sweet touch.

Final Preparations

Just before he arrives:

1. Light the candles.
2. Check the aromatherapy oil burner.
3. Arrange the prawns on the platter with ice and lemon wedges.
4. Place the seafood sauce on the table.
5. Keep the French fries warm in the oven.
6. Turn on the music and set it to repeat.
7. Remove your apron.
8. Take a few deep breaths and relax.

If this doesn’t impress him, he might be asleep, unconscious, or simply overwhelmed by the effort and love you’ve put into the evening!

Interesting Stats About Valentine’s Day

• Spending Trends: In 2022, Americans spent approximately $23.9 billion on Valentine’s Day, with an average of $175.41 per person. Source: National Retail Federation
• Popular Gifts: The most popular Valentine’s Day gifts include candy (52%), greeting cards (43%), and flowers (37%). Source: Statista
• Dining Out: About 34% of couples prefer dining out on Valentine’s Day, making it one of the busiest days for restaurants. Source: National Restaurant Association

Here’s to an evening filled with laughter, fun, and romance!

Michaela Scherr