If you have a fireplace, rekindle your spark by pulling the sofa in front of a roaring fire and have some champagne on ice standing by. For an added touch, serve strawberries to bring out the champagne's flavor, or drop pomegranate seeds into the glass to tinge the bubbly pink.

If you are the cooking type, make a home-cooked Valentine's Day meal. And if cooking is not your forte, order out from your favorite place, but ditch the containers and re-plate the meal elegantly on nice plates.

For an extra special touch write a love letter that you can read by the fire or have a book of love poetry ready.

When your sweetie gets home, draw a hot bath filled with rose petals. Since roses are so expensive around Valentines Day, you can ask your florist for a package of plain rose petals, short-stemmed roses, or for "seconds," which are roses that are slightly bruised since you will not be giving them in a traditional way. Have a glass of wine and some chocolates to nibble on by the side of the bathtub.

Meanwhile, prepare the bedroom for a massage session. Line the bed with towels fresh out of the dryer so that they are warm. Get a basin full of warm water near the bed, several washcloths, and some great spa products.

Start off with an exfoliating rub, then massage in a great body moisturizer. You might also want to throw in a foot rub for extra brownie points. After all is said and done, you can enjoy takeout in bed or end your plans with a romantic movie.

Turn the lights out in most of the house, and replace the lights in the hallway or stairway leading to the bedroom with low wattage bulbs. If you cannot easily change them, use candles marking the route instead.

Also, scatter rose petals like a trail of breadcrumbs leading from the front door to the bedroom. Put on something sexy and lay out something sexy for your partner to wear. Ideally, ​it is nice if it is a gift of something new, but that is not necessary if you have plenty of suggestive nightwear.

Make some ​aphrodisiac foods that you can feed each other, including almonds, chocolates, dates, raspberries, strawberries, and wine. For an extra special touch, a few hours before your date, dip strawberries in melted chocolate and chill in the fridge.

Fill the bedroom with a roomful of flickering candles and turn the lights out. Set some relaxing music, if you like. Get a new set of pearl, gold, or bronze silk, satin, or sateen sheets, which create an environment of luxurious romance for the night. Steer clear of gray, yellow, or pink. If you can—even if it is just for the night—add a draping canopy over the bed.

https://www.thespruce.com/romantic-valentines-day-at-home-3489471

by Nina Calloway

Updated 02/01/19