Valentine’s Day is a day to show your love. Traditionally, people think to shower their spouse, significant other, and children with love on cupid’s holiday. Although we don’t always think of showing our love for our friends and other family members on Valentine’s Day, it’s really an excellent opportunity to tell everyone you care about just how much they mean to you. A great way to do so is to host a Valentine’s Day dinner party. Invite your good friends and favorite family members and make use of the beautiful patio you’ve designed by hosting the party outdoors.
If you live in a particularly cold area of the country, a patio Valentine’s Day dinner party outside would be best if you have an enclosed patio. But in many regions of California, your guests can still be comfortable on the patio and enjoy February 14.
Note that if you want to forgo a large party and celebrate with your special someone, check out our Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Romantic Outdoor Dinner Blog.
Set the Table for Your Valentine’s Day Dinner Party
If you’re interested in hosting a Valentine’s dinner party on your patio, chances are you have beautiful patio furniture already. If not, Patioworld offers many options to fit your needs, your style, and your patio.
Outdoor dinner parties don’t need to be as formal as their indoor alternatives, but you will still want to make your table beautiful. Use a holiday-themed table runner to create a festive yet elegant feel. This Heart Table Runner from William Sonoma can be placed on a white or light pink tablecloth and dressed up with light pink or white placemats. Dress up the table with matching napkin rings.
Be sure to include a centerpiece. Fresh flowers are perfect for a Valentine’s Day dinner party. No flower represents the holiday more than red roses. You can add more color by adding pink and white roses, pink tulips, white lilies, and alstroemeria.
Plan Your Meal
Some of the most popular options to serve at your Valentine’s Day dinner are steak, seafood, pasta, and sushi. Pair the meals with the appropriate wine options and for fun, include cocktails and mocktail options.
Dessert is a necessity for this holiday, so consider buying gourmet chocolates from your local high-end chocolate shop. Chocolate-covered strawberries, heart-shaped cakes, and chocolate cheesecake are just a few ideas for desserts you can serve your guests.
After-Dinner Fun
The Valentine’s Day dinner party doesn’t end with dessert! Plan a fun activity based on what you think your guests will like. If they’re more low-key, you could show a rom-com on your outdoor TV. If they’re up for more action, try a Valentine’s Day song game to add some fun.
Choose a few lines from 20 old and new love songs and print them on sheets of paper. The guest who can identify the titles and artists for each song will win a prize. Or give each guest the lyrics from the beginning of a love song and have them do a dramatic reading of the song. Other guests have to try to guess the name and artist of the song. The guest with the most correct answers wins a prize.
Some fun prize ideas include gift cards for a favorite coffee shop, candles, and candies.