We’re done, we’re over it. The reservations, the pricey prix fixe, the wine, the overdone chocolate, ugh! My husband (who was my boyfriend for 8 years!) and I have NEVER, not once, gone out to dinner on actual Valentine’s Day. That doesn’t mean we don’t celebrate our undying love for one another! We just do it at home! Over the years, we’ve done a few different things to make it more than just a night at home. In fact, we will often create “a night out at home” on days other than Valentine’s Day as well. There’s no need for a babysitter or reservations and it’s all on your own schedule!

Get out of your normal routine. Do something a little adventurous that you can look forward to. It doesn’t have to be complicated or a lot of work. Just make it fun and different

“The Kitchen Bar” – The most important part of this night is the attire!

1. Get dressed! Don’t be in lounge, comfy clothes or it feels like you are home. Put on a nice, fun, flirty outfit. Do your hair and put on makeup – it’s actually really fun!

2. Sit at your island on bar stools, so it feels like a “bar.”

3. Prepare appetizers; spring roll, artich0ke dip, cheese platter – things you may order at a restaurant

4. Make fancy drinks; look up a new martini recipe or something a little different than you would normally drink

5. Listen to jazzy music.

Around The World (or your house!)

This idea keeps you moving! You can prep the food (apps – dessert) beforehand or make the cooking part of the experience. Create the meal together.

1. Eat appetizers in the kitchen,
2. Have a nice dinner in the dining room
3. Enjoy dessert in the living room by the fire

Game Night – Dress comfy for this evening, we often sit on the floor by the fire for our game nights!

1. Order takeout & play board games together – We love Yahtzee, Catch Phrase, Scattergories & Cranium.

You can even make this a group night & invite friends over. We did this a few weeks ago & played Telestrations After Dark and it was absolutely hilarious!

Theme Night – Pick a theme; 80’s, 90’s, Movie, Mexican, Italian, etc, and create a night at home surrounding this theme! (You may remember last year when we hosted a throwback to the vintage cocktail party).

Prom – We are planning a 90’s Prom Theme Party for this spring! We’re getting vintage gowns & hopefully the guys will be in tuxes

1. Create a 90’s playlist
2. Serve 90’s Snacks & Drinks; think Squeeze cheese, Totinos Pizza Rolls, Zima, Kool-Aid, etc
3. Play 90’s Trivia – Think Beverly Hills 90210

These ideas are fun to come up with and easy to create. Do something a little different, make your own fun and have a happy Valentine’s Day!

-Johanna and Monica