There's no need to stress about planning the perfect romantic Valentine's Day with your partner. Check out these ideas -- from simple to spicy -- for an evening of romance you'll never forget.
1. Book your babysitter: Whether you're going out or staying in for that cozy candlelit dinner, book your babysitter early. Cash in favors with grandparents for a sleepover or call your neighborhood teen to reserve a date. Babysitters.com (www.babysitters.com) is an online service that connects families and sitters in the same area.
2. Exchange love letters: If this year's budget is tight or child care is a no-go, you can still share your sentiments with a love letter. Remind your sweetheart how much you care, reminisce about special times in your relationship, and express your appreciation and affection by stirring thoughtful, happy memories of why you fell madly in love in the first place.
3. Indulge with chocolates and champgne: Spend Saturday afternoon indulging your sinful side. Retire to a room at a hotel with a glass of champagne and unwind together in quiet, uninterrupted bliss. Many hotels and inns have Valentine's Day specials.
4. Enjoy a cruise: Celebrate Valentine's Day with a romantic night of gourmet dining, dancing, cruising, and admiring your city's skyline views.
5. Attend a private wine tasting: If you love wine and learning about pairing flavorful food and libations, try a private Valentine's Day tasting event. Enquire at your local winery.
6. Do something unexpected: If she always does the laundry, you take it on this week. Add some fragrant fabric softener and make sure you fold and put it away, too. If he loves a clean car, arrange for it to be detailed with an indoor polish and an exterior shine.
7. Nibble on oysters: Cozy into a restaurant and sample an assortment of oysters, the world's most historically known aphrodisiac.
8. Snuggle up at a cozy tavern, and stay the night at an inn: You can nestle into a pub or tavern for a delicious meal in front of a roaring fireplace and then retire into a cottage or suites for a relaxing evening alone. His and her spa treatments are a great way to unwind and settle into a weekend of love.
9. Make it a family affair: If you can't find child care for a weekend getaway, bring the kids along to a place where there are plenty of activities to keep them occupied.
10. Try romance at home: Invite your spouse to an unforgettable evening at home. Prepare and indulge in a meal that you both love, including stimulating foods and herbs, such as hot chillies, asparagus, sweet potato, parsley and basil. Set a small, beautiful table for two with lots of candles and red roses. Check out “Table for Tw French Recipes for Romantic Dining” by Marianne Paquin and Jacques Boulay, available at Amazon.com, for culinary inspiration.
Sara Eberle is a mother, writer and host of the parenting podcast, MommaJam. Go to MommaJam.com to check out the show.
author: Sara Eberle