Romantic indulgence

Set time aside and plan a party for two with your partner. A romantic meal with your partner should be an event that you treasure and look forward to. Today our busy lives rob us from opportunities to indulge in one another's presence. Take time out and find two or three hours that belong to only the two of you.

Planning a romantic meal with your partner can be theme based; think about Valentines Day that is a day dedicated to love, or, have no specific theme at all. Romantic get-togethers are an ingredient of the glue that makes a couple successful. Create these moments with care and be sure that you plan such a meal at least four times a year, more is even better. Mark four dates on your calendar to remind you to start to plan such a romantic meal.

Planning a romantic meal requires all your creativity. Firstly, decide on the time of the day; then you can choose the location. Answer the question: Will it take place outside or inside? Think "outside the box". You do not have to plan a romantic meal in the dining room. Uncongenial spots can be very romantic.

The next step is to decide upon the place setting for the meal. Ask the question: Is it going to be casual, or, is it going to have a touch of formality? The answer to this question will help you decide upon the place setting; picnic basket, table cloth, or maybe a sophisticated antique table runner.

Select a comfortable seating arrangement.

The next aspect that you need to focus on is the surroundings. Select the music that you want to play in the background. It is a good idea to pre-record the music so that your evening is not interrupted with you attending to the music.

Design the centerpiece and other aspects. For an evening meal, long-burning candles can create a very romantic atmosphere. Make sure they're not scented. Scented candles can clash with the taste of your food.

When planning the meal, some of the important considerations are the color and texture of the food, not only the taste of the food. Make sure you please the nose. The scent of apple pie entices a man; lavender and other soothing herbs please a woman. Select foods with properties.

One of my favorite romantic meals involves sitting at a low table on huge cushions, playing romantic music and burning a few long-burning candles. I also like to start the evening with a sherry. My partner and I like to create romance by feeding one another a nice starter after the sherry. We are both very fond of seafood, so for our main dish I have served grilled prawns, because they are a good finger food and make "feeding" your partner fun.

If you are planning a romantic meal for a special occasion such as a birthday or Valentine's day set time aside to buy a special birthday gift or Valentine's gift for your partner.