Valentine’s Day might get all the lovey-dovey hype, but keeping the romance alive is a year-round adventure! Forget fancy restaurants and hefty price tags – real magic happens in the moments you create together. A simple at-home date night, cooked with love and sprinkled with shared laughter, can set your hearts aflutter more than any grand gesture. Think cozy candlelight, a delicious meal whipped up just for two, and conversations that stretch into the night. This date night planning checklist is your secret weapon to keep the spark dancing all year long! So grab your partner, a sprinkle of creativity, and dive into the recipe for love that never gets old – homemade romance!
Set The Mood
Just because you’re planning a date night at home, doesn’t mean you can’t make your dinner setup look nice. First, put a nice table cloth on your dining table; then align dishes and silverware like a fancy restaurant would. Go to our floral department at your local Stater Bros. Market and pick out your significant other’s favorite flowers. Be it a nice arrangement of roses, specialty plants, seasonal decor, or balloons galore! Decorate the space with everything you need to make the night special and help your special person feel cherished and loved.
Note: Don’t forget to grab your significant other’s favorite wine too!
Dress Nice
Dress to impress even though you’re staying home. Just because your date night is at home doesn’t mean you can’t dress it up. This will make the night feel more special for you and your significant other. It’s all about making the night feel extra special, extra fun, and extra full of love, so dress for the occasion! Bonus points, have a friend act as a waiter and chef for you, and have them dress up too. It’s about making it fun and special for you and your significant other, so go all out! Don’t forget to take lots of date night pictures for keepsakes.
Pick Up High Quality Ingredients
Now that your table is lookin’ fancy, let’s whip up a meal that’ll sweep your significant other off their feet. Head over to our famous full-service meat counter and pick up one of our premium cuts of steak like Filet Mignon, Porterhouse, T-Bone, and Rib-eye. To make your night even easier for you, our meat cutters will even pre-season your choice of steak for you! Or, try out our Service Deli’s golden brown rotisserie chicken or fresh salad if you aren’t a fan of steak or have diet restrictions. Next, head over to our produce department for fresh items like potatoes, broccolini, or carrot medley to really make your dinner a showstopper. Don’t forget to grab yourself a nice bottle of red wine that will pair well with your choice of meat.
If you need a helping hand, our online shop is always here for you. Order online and pick up in-store to make your date night prep a breeze!
Cook Together
Cooking dinner together for a night in is much more than just about whipping up a meal, it helps create sweet memories for you and your significant other. Whether you are the go-to chef or sous chef in the kitchen, be sure to try cooking your date night meal together as a great way to cultivate a happy and fun evening.
Before you know it, you two will be sharing a delicious meal that will burse with sweet memories of laughter and satisfaction of teamwork well done. It’s a love story on a plate, seasoned with trust, sprinkled with care, and baked with a whole lot of heart.
After Dinner
When dinner’s finished, do a bit of clean up, but don’t stress yourself too much. Relax with your significant other by watching a new or favorite movie together. Don’t forget to pour some more wine from earlier. Then you have to prepare the movie snacks such as popcorn, candy, chips or even a nice dessert to end the night. This at home date night is something that you and your significant other will always cherish.
Don't Forget Dessert
Nothing says “special” like ending your date night in with a shared dessert. Sharing a sweet treat afterward can help keep the romantic magic thriving. Beyond the savory feast, a heartfelt sweet finale is the perfect way to keep the night going and create a sugary memory for the both of you. Dessert for a date night isn’t just about indulging in sugary delight; it’s about creating a playful pause, a shared moment of pure enjoyment.
So don’t underestimate the power of a sweet ending. It’s the cherry on top of a perfect night, the perfect excuse to savor each other’s company, and a reminder that even the simplest things can be deliciously romantic.
Cookie Skillet
Ingredients:
1 Pack of Cleo and Leo cookie dough
Directions:
- Spread cookie dough evenly on a skillet pan.
- Bake at 350 F for 16-18 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- Top with you choice of ice cream.
At home dinner can be just as fancy as a restaurant, it just requires a bit of effort and care. This romantic dinner at home checklist provides you with everything you need to make date night special, now it’s time to put into action!