Everyone has their idea of what a romantic dinner is, but for most of us, it’s about spending time with the person we love. The food, setting, and music can all help create a romantic atmosphere, but they’re unnecessary. All you need to do is make sure that you and your partner are enjoying each other’s company while also doing something together beforehand or after dinner.
Reach Out to Your Partner and Express What You Want
If you want to ensure your partner knows what you’re hoping for, it’s best to reach out and ask. But don’t be afraid of being too specific—this is a time to be honest with each other about what you want. In fact, it can help if you’re explicit about the things that matter most to you, both in terms of how much time you together and certain physical acts.
Don’t let fear prevent either of you from putting your desires on the table—even if there are things neither one of us wants or feels comfortable doing (yet), it’s vital that we know where we stand now, so we can move forward together later on down the road.
Decide on a Setting
When deciding on a location, remember that your romantic dinner should be private and intimate. It’s essential to choose a setting that makes you both feel comfortable as well—whether you’re dining at home or out in public. You also want your date to be safe and secure while enjoying an evening together. Finally, keep the romance alive by choosing a setting that is easy to clean up after.
For instance, if you want a romantic date, consider a dinner under lantern roof lights where you can enjoy the scenery and perhaps a good bottle of wine. Or you can go for a walk in the park under a full moon. Or, if you want to keep it simple, just make your home romantic with some candles and soft music.
Plan to Do Something Together Before and/or After Dinner
If you have the time, consider doing something together before or after dinner. You may want to plan and make reservations for somewhere nice for dinner. In addition, if it’s a nice night out and you’re going for a walk in the park, take advantage of it by having a picnic with your partner. Or maybe plan on seeing an outdoor movie at night when there is still some light out! It doesn’t matter what you do as long as it’s something fun and new together.
Make the Food a Shared Experience
If you make the food a shared experience, why not bring your partner into the kitchen? This is both a romantic gesture and an opportunity for you to show off your cooking skills. You can cook together—either in front of each other or side by side—or just have them help with things like chopping veggies or pouring wine. If you get tired of cooking, consider having dinner at home before going for dessert somewhere else (or skip the first part altogether).
Choose Wine and Music Wisely
The music you choose should be relaxing, but not too loud. If the music is too loud, it will distract from the conversation and make it difficult to hear one another. It is also vital that the music be appropriate for the time of year—if it’s wintertime, don’t play summer tunes! This can help keep your evening feeling cozy and romantic. Finally, consider whether any particular song may be distracting in some way. Songs with lyrics can sometimes cause conflict if they don’t match up with what one person wants to talk about at a given moment.
Don’t Worry About It Too Much
You don’t have to go all out and plan a luxurious evening. The most important thing is that you are spending quality time with your partner. You don’t need to spend a lot of money; even if you can only afford McDonald’s, it would still be better than not spending any time together. The key is to make an effort and do what you can within your means. It doesn’t matter what other people think — if your partner loves the date and it makes them happy, then it’s done its job!
In Closing
We hope these tips helped you to plan your romantic dinner. Remember, the most important thing is having a creative and fun time with your partner. If romance isn’t your thing, don’t worry about it! Just take some time to reconnect with each other. The food doesn’t matter—it’s all about spending time together and having fun doing whatever makes sense for both of you.
