Create a Romantic Evening at Home

Since scents can change moods, begin with her sense of smell. Scents that are associated with romantic moods are jasmine, sandalwood, gardenia and rose. Use candles and/or fresh flowers to bring one of these scents into your home. (Gentlemen, please stick to ONE scent.) As you select your candles and flowers, consider a color scheme for the evening. Combine classic colors of romance like red and white. Alternatively, a color scheme based on your wife's favorite color is also appropriate.

Play music that your lady finds romantic. If she likes soft classical music, play a medley that includes Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", Mozart's "A Little Night Music" and/or Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons". Have the music play throughout the evening even if you have to put it on a loop.

We've already talked about creating a color scheme for your special evening. Remember we said one classic color scheme is white and red. Another classic is white and pink. You may choose your wife's favorite colors instead.

What goes in your color scheme? Your candles, flowers and yes, your food. Don't try to make your entire meal fit into your chosen color scheme. Usually a dessert works best.

Here's an example. Let's say your colors are pink and white. You could arrange a set of pink and white candles on your dinner table as centerpiece. Set an arrange of pink flowers in a white vase in the living room. You could bake or buy a small heart-shaped cake with pink frosting.

Let's talk how about candle and flower arrangements. You may be tempted to put a single candle here and there throughout the house. Don't do it. Instead, group your candles into one or two large arrangements in the home. One set should definitely go in the center of your dinner table for candlelight dinner. Another group of candles could go in a strategic spot. For instance, make it the first thing she sees when comes home or comes into the room. Make an impact. Use the same techniques for your flowers.

Guys, be sure to clean your home for the occasion. Okay, at least put things away. Nothing spoils a romantic mood quicker than dirty socks on the floor.

Dinner should be the highlight of your evening. We assume you know your wife's favorite foods. The menu should lean heavily toward her favorite eats, not yours. Cooking or at least serving her favorites shows your attentiveness to her. If you need ideas on what to cook, get a recipe book on cooking for two. (Need more help? See cookbook list below.)

If you can't boil water, much less cook, buy dinner. Unless your wife craves them, this isn't the time to get pizza or Chinese take-out.

Wise lensmaster and wife, Groovyoldlady, said that "there is no romance without chocolate". If you can whip up a nice chocolate dessert like chocolate mousse or Boston Cream Pie, go for it. If you can't cook, here are a couple of options. One is to get your lady a box of fine chocolates. Hint: Chocolate from the drugstore is not "fine", but truffles from a Belgian chocolatier are.

In closing, remember to appeal to all 5 of your wife's senses this Valentine's Day. And we didn't cover her sense of touch because we hope you can handle that one without help.

Wise wife and lensmaster Groovyoldlady suggests that you hide romantic notes to your beloved throughout the house. If you don't know what to write, start with these ideas:
1. Tell her your first impression of her when you met.
2. Write 10 notes that represent the top 10 reasons you love her.
3. Note what you find attractive about her personality and her beauty.
4. Remember the classic "I love you" always works.
5. Write down a classic love poem, but insert her name. For example, "How do I love thee Judith, let me count the ways".