Tips for Planning a Perfect Romantic Meal At Home

Throughout history, humans have always drawn an association between food and romantic love. For example, watching romantic advertisements has been shown to affect how many candies people eat. Partners strongly influence each other’s food choices, with women typically following their men’s eating habits at the start of a relationship before the roles are later reversed. We even choose different restaurants based on the stage of a romantic relationship we are in. 

Perhaps most importantly, the quality of food we share with other people can be closely linked in our minds with the quality of our relationship with that person. This does not mean you need to sweat over every meal you eat with your significant other, but a romantic meal once in a while might just reaffirm your commitment to each other. Here are some tips to help it go smoothly. 

The Location

This is the first thing most people think about when it comes to romantic meals, although it is not necessarily the most important unless you are planning to pull out all the stops with a romantic dinner in the Maldives or another exotic location. 

A nice setting or view can enhance a romantic meal and make your mood better, but the tips on this list will help you with the essentials so you can have just as romantic a dinner at home if you cannot spoil your sweetheart with a private beach dinner.

The Food

Home cooking your meal actually gives you the chance to make something far more personal than you could find at any restaurant. You can always prepare your loved one’s favourite dish, but for something both special and surprising, why not cook something inspired by a place you have visited together on vacation? 

The Drinks

Wine is the obvious choice, but with many people going alcohol-free nowadays, mocktails are a delicious alternative that still feels like a special treat.

Decorations

The trick to a romantic dinner is making it feel different and special. Going to a restaurant, this is all done for you. But at home, you will have to put a bit of effort in to make it feel out of the ordinary. You could try:

• A tablecloth: Not everybody uses these at home, so they are a good way to immediately change up the setting while adding a touch of class. The same goes for placemats.
•  A centerpiece: Go with either flowers or candles, as these are the most tried and true eye-catching centerpieces. If you choose flowers in a vase or jug, make sure they are not too tall. 
• Details: Stick with the flower and candle theme, but smaller. Perhaps some petals scattered around the table, a beautiful flower laid across the plates on the table, or some tealights.
• Tableware: If you keep a fancy set of dishes and cutlery aside for when guests visit, now is the time to use them.

The Atmosphere

Now you’ve got your table looking romantic, you will want to make the room look different too. Luckily, there’s no need to redecorate. Dim the lights and light some candles instead, or drape some fairy lights around. 

Consider the scent too, and add some soothing background music to please all of the senses.  

Image Source: Freepik