Romantic Valentine's Day - At Home

I am one of those women who doesn't really care for Valentine's Day.

In fact, I might just get mad if my husband got me chocolate and roses on February 14.  I would know that he never even thought about giving me a gift for Valentine's Day, but bought it because his mom asked him to. 

However, I am all about keeping the romance alive in my marriage, whether it is Valentine's Day, or any other day. And now, when Valentine's Day happens to be on a Sunday this year, I think it is easy to turn it into a relaxing & romantic evening. I think at some point when we become parents, and celebrate wedding anniversaries year after year, and especially when we get to the double digits like me and my husband have, the romance is easily forgotten. Let's all bring back the romance, and celebrate Valentine's Day this year, like it was the first time we get to say "be my Valentine" to our husbands. 

Here are 10 ideas for your romantic evening at home. 

1. Put the kids to bed early. 

Plan B - Wake the children up early and exhaust them during the day with outdoor play such as sports or taking them swimming. And they are ready for bedtime earlier than normal. 

2. Redo your bedroom. Something as simple as new sheets in the bed will make a difference.

Plan B - At least take the time to clean the sheets, and dry them with lavender dryer sheets for a romantic scent. Or spray a tiny bit of your sexiest perfume on the sheets. 

3. Buy candles and only use candle light for the romantic evening. The fireplace works, too. 

4. Have romantic dinner, just the two of you, after the kids are in bed. Just being able to have a candlelight dinner without any disturbances can be a luxury for us parents! Some aphrodisiac foods that would be great to include for your Valentine's Day meal are nuts (no pun intended) like almonds and pine nuts, chocolate and coffee, fruits like avocado and bananas, spices like basil and coriander. The most traditional foods to stimulate sex drive are raw figs and oysters. 

Plan B - if making a dinner after a day with kids seems exhausting, order your favorite take-out. Or just dessert! 

5. Draw a bubble bath or rose petal bath. Why not soak up together..? Really, when is the last time you have even thought of it? 

Plan B -  Take a quick shower together. You will feel refreshed after the day, and ready for a romantic night. 

6. Don't even think of turning on the TV. Really, just go one night without it and focus on conversation with your husband. Or not conversing with your husband. 

Plan B - If you want to have some TV-time,  rent one of those romantic movies that will remind you how lucky you are to have each others. My favorite is "The Notebook."

7. Full body massage. I'll let your mind wander here whereever you want it to, but relaxing massage is a great way for both of you to connect and spoil each other. Get some aromatherapeutic massage oil and place a towel on the top of your new or newly washed sheets. I recommend cinnamon, cedarwood, vanilla, orange, lavender, rose or jasmine scented massage oils.

Plan B - Not for you? Then try a gentle neck massage, and if you don't want to buy massage oil, use baby oil or even body lotion. 

8. Music - get some music that will create the romantic mood for both of you. 

9. Turn off the phone, the computers and the outside world. This night is only for two of you. 

10.  And why not get some new lingerie...? Or at least put some thought into what you wear.. be comfortable, feel good about yourself, but don't overdo it.