Did Valentine’s day sneak up on you, and now you’re feeling unprepared? If so, then we have your ultimate guide to perfect your last minute Valentine’s Day plans! Below you will find two themed drinks to sip on, three at-home dinner ideas, and three last minute gifts your sweetie is sure to love!

Themed Cocktails

A cocktail can be a great way to kick off a nice evening! Below you will find three different Valentines themed cocktails to sip on throughout your romantic evening…

 

Love Potion Cocktail

This pretty pink drink from homemadehooplah.com is sure to make even the least romantic of us blush! This sweet drink is perfect for pre-dinner drinks, or to sip on all evening long.

What You’ll Need:

  • Ice
  • 1 part sweetened lime juice
  • 2 part raspberry vodka
  • 2 part cranberry juice cocktail
  • 1 part grenadine
  • Raspberries (for garnish)

Instructions:

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, sweetened lime juice, raspberry vodka, cranberry juice cocktail, and grenadine. Shake vigorously until combined. Strain your cocktail into a martini glass, garnish with raspberries or other red fruits, and enjoy!

Cherry Bomb Mocktail

If you want to feel like you’re indulging on this loving holiday without the alcohol, then we recommend this yummy mocktail from julieseatsandtreats.com!

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 liter lemon lime soda
  • 4 ounces grenadine
  • juice from 1 lime
  • 4 maraschino cherries

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together, stir, and pour over ice. Garnish with cherries and you’re done! It’s really that easy!

Note: If you want to make this mocktail into a cocktail, simply add 4oz of white rum

Romantic Homemade Dinners

So you forgot to make reservations and everywhere is booked and busy… Well the good news is that there is no need to panic! Below we’ve gathered 3 at-home dinner ideas to fill your stomach AND hearts!

Build Your Own Pizza

If you and your partner love pizza, then why not embrace that? Instead of ordering delivery though, try making your own! You can even get festive with this and make your pizzas into heart shapes, or cut out or place toppings into fun Valentines day shapes! Either way, this easy and fun dinner date combination is sure to be a hit.

You’ll need a store bought pizza dough, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and the toppings of your choice. Simply follow the baking directions on your dough, then assemble your pizzas! So not only is this fun, it’s easy too!

A tip: if you really want to wow your date, try your hand at making homemade pizza dough! Pair this with your favorite red wine and you’re set for the night!

Creamy Shrimp Scampi

There’s something about seafood and pasta that makes people’s hearts flutter- probably because it’s so good! If you want a delicious meal that is sure to surprise, we suggest homemade shrimp scampi. Be sure to use fresh ingredients though for the most wow factor. Pair this dish with a crisp, dry white wine, such as a pinot grigio or chardonnay for a well rounded meal. You can download our favorite recipe here!

Steak Dinner

At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong with a classic steak dinner. Delish.com has a great article on cooking the perfect steak in the oven. We recommend pairing this classic with a hearty side such as oven roasted or baked potatoes, and a crisp veggie like a caesar salad. Pair this dish with your favorite red wine to complete this traditional meal.

Last Minute Gifts

Did you forget to get a gift? Or maybe you just couldn’t find that perfect thing that would make your partners heart sing? Either way. we’ve got you covered. Below you will find some easy last minute Valentines day gifts that anyone is sure to love. Remember- its the thought that counts anyways.

 

A Homemade Card

Dust off your crafting skills with a thoughtful, homemade card. Use construction paper to make something cute like this adorable bee card, and write your Valentine a sweet message. You simply can’t miss when it comes to something made from the heart.

A Nice Pair of Pajamas

Everyone loves a good night’s rest, so why not give the person you love to make their rest even better? For the ladies, we recommend this 7 piece silk pajama set that comes in 17 colors and sizes XS to XXL. For men, we recommend this classic satin pajama set that comes in sizes medium to 4XL and 14 colors. Both can be purchased on Amazon, and feature Prime Shipping.

Their Favorite Local Treat

Does your partner have a favorite local coffee shop, bakery, or chocolatier? If so, we suggest picking up their favorite treat and having it ready for them whenever you see them. This is also a great way to incorporate their favorite treat as a dessert for your dinners. Remember though, many places such as bakeries or chocolate shops may sell out early, so the sooner you can get these items the better.

Final Thoughts

No matter what you decide to do for this upcoming holiday, if you do it with thoughtfulness and care, your Valentine will be sure to love it! You’ll also love contacting us here at Fairway of the Carolinas for your mortgage needs. Whether you’re looking to refinance, buy your first home, or looking for something new, we’re always here to help!