Create a Romantic Evening at Home

You have decided to invite someone you dating to your home for a romantic evening and you want everything to go well. Here are a few tips to help you achieve this result.

There are a number of factors you should consider when planning your romantic evening:

1. Your physical surroundings

It is a good idea to make sure your house or apartment is clean and tidy. It can not be anyone's primary focus, but it will impress your guests, even the subconscious.

Spend a few hours doing the cleaning yourself, hire someone to do it for you, or at least shove all that clutter in your wardrobe, or under the bed. Wipe the surfaces to get rid of dust and stains.

Apart from the living and dining area, there are two other rooms that need your attention:

a. The bathroom

Wipe the sink / washbasin, tub and shower. Put a fresh cake of soap at the sink and hang fresh towels. At least your guest will use the bathroom to wash his or her hands so make sure it is a pleasant experience.

b. The bedroom

Get rid of any extraneous clutter like clothes strewn around the room or on the floor. Change sheets, make the bed and wipe down any surfaces. If your guest ends up spending the night, you do not want him or her racing off for a tetanus vaccination in the morning.

To create a romantic atmosphere in your bedroom, some scented candles on hand and an easy reach sound system. You may also consider buying a duvet in a rich, romantic color and to a set of sheets match.

2. Your choice of menu

While food can be an excellent means of seduction, it's a mistake to choose too complicated a menu unless you're an experienced cook and you do not get easily confused.

Simple dishes like spaghetti or ratatouille make a tasty and satisfying meal without spiking your anxiety levels. The point is to enjoy the evening together with your guest, not treat the event as it is a university-entrance exam.

How to Avoid Psycho-Chef Syndrome

One trick is to prepare as much flour as possible in advance so you do not run around like a pinball once your guest arrives.

Have all the ingredients chopped, diced and ready for cooking. Make this the night before or earlier in the day, whatever works best for you.

Salad ingredients can be prepared earlier and stored in separate containers, then pour in salad bowl and dressed before serving.

You can even cheat by purchasing your meal from a favorite restaurant and have them delivered (or picking it up) before your guest arrives.

Definitely buy desert from your favorite bakery or supermarket, unless you are a wiz to whip up a Pavlova or meringue. Another option is to prepare dessert the night before and reheat if necessary when you are ready to serve it.

3. Your Cooking Area

Make sure your kitchen is clean before you begin cooking. Yes, you certainly make a mess when you start, but you do not want yesterday's dishes in the road. Your guest may offer help so the kitchen must meet minimum health standards.

It is up to you whether you accept this help or not, but we recommend that you do, even if only a symbolic action which threw the salad. Sharing cooking duties can be a wonderfully romantic interaction as it creates a special kind of intimacy. Have you ever noticed how much more easily conversation flows when two people do a task, as opposed to sitting face to face?

4. Setting the table

Set the table beforehand. Use a good tablecloth, your best silverware and a nice set of plates. Use your best glasses and an attractive salt and pepper set, milk jug and sugar bowl. Show your guest, you went to some problems in order to make the meal a special occasion. This is not the time for melamine dishes or chipped or mismatched crockery. You aim at a touch of class.

Use candlesticks on the table for a romantic ambience, or place candles on other surfaces around the room.

Background Music is a must, but make sure it's romantic and subtle. Limit blaring rock and roll or rap to the period when you are preparing dinner, but be not high-octane music while you eat.

Set the sound at low volume so as not to disturb your conversation. And remember, if you do not play music during the meal you may have to fill any gaps with the sound of people masticating.

5. Cleanup Later

Do not let your guest anywhere near the kitchen after the meal is over. Hopefully you have better things to do with your time together.

But all is not lost if they insist on helping with chores. Many couples have fallen in love while doing the dishes, for two reasons:

1. As mentioned earlier, is the easy conversation that takes place when you're doing a task rather than concentrating on talking.

2. Doing dishes together is like playing house. It can actually feel very romantic, especially when one or both people realize, "This is what I want with this person." You will not get the same effect if you use a dishwasher, so allow at least a few pots, which will allow you suggest, "I'll wash and you dry."

With a little care, anyone can create a romantic evening at home. The old cliché, "The Way to a person's heart is through their stomach", has more than a little truth to it. Test it yourself with someone you love. The minimum you get is a great home-meal.