ARTICLE
Valentine’s Day Done Right - Minus The Restaurant Splurge
January 20, 2026-3 min read
Valentine’s Day is traditionally a champagne and chocolate kind of affair, usually accompanied by dinner at a restaurant and a thoughtful gift. If you’ve been rinsing and repeating this strategy for the last few years, why not shake things up by cooking an intimate dinner at home?
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If you really want to surprise your loved one, and you’re not sure what to get them, you can make them feel special with an experience. We’re talking ambience, canapes, cocktails, dinner, and dessert. After all, there’s nothing more romantic than putting in the time and effort to sweep your partner off their feet with a personally prepared meal they’ll love. Here’s everything you need to prepare the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner.
1. Set The Mood With Ambience
“Three key elements go into creating a romantic ambience at home: lighting, scent, and music. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your home to a smart home, now is the time, because the easiest way to set the mood is with smart lighting and smart speakers,” says David Linehan, The Good Guys Buyer – Home Automation. “At the touch of a button or via voice control, you can dim the lights and fire up a romantic playlist.” Then, when it comes to scent, it’s worth investing in a diffuser. Add a few drops of essential oil – rose is perfect – to enhance the mood."
Shop Smart Home Products
Connect SmartHome 10W Multi-colour Smart Light Bulb (E27)
TP-LINK Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Light Strip (5m)
TP-LINK Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Light Strip with Multicolour Zones (5m)
Amazon Pop Compact Smart Speaker with Alexa (Charcoal)
Amazon Echo Dot Smart Speaker with Alexa (Gen 5) - Glacier White
“Three key elements go into creating a romantic ambience at home: lighting, scent and music. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your home to a smart home, now is the time.”
2. Prepare Delicious Canapes
Snacks don’t have to be complicated to be delicious. The best way to impress? Use an air fryer. The possibilities are endless and effortless. It can cook up everything from magnificent mozzarella chips to cheesy croquettes and much more. All you have to do is pick a recipe. It’s also perfect if you’re planning a menu with multiple courses, because it’s quick and easy to use and clean, with little use of cooking oils.
Shop Air Fryers
Philips 3000 Series 6.2 Litre Air Fryer XL Black
Tefal Jamie Oliver By Tefal Dual Air Fryer
Ninja Crispi 4 In 1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cyberspace
Ninja Double Stack XXL 7.6 Litre 2 Drawer Air Fryer
3. Create A Custom Cocktail
Creating a custom cocktail for someone requires thought, effort, and imagination. A fun way to start is by mixing your loved one’s drink of choice with their favourite juice and adding a whimsical garnish – or try a few different combinations until you land on the right flavour. Word to the wise? “A SodaStream can make all the difference,” says Tania Grillinzoni, The Good Guys Buyer – Portable Appliances. “A touch of bubbles can instantly elevate a beverage while adding a light and surprising twist.”
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Sodastream Art Black Sparkling Water Maker
Breville The InFizz Fusion - Sea Salt
aarke Carbonator 3 Matte Black
4. Whip Up A Romantic Dinner
If you’re a seasoned home cook, this will be a cinch. If not, the good news is that there are lots of great no-fuss, one-pot meals that fit the bill for Valentine’s Day. “The easiest way to tackle this is to choose an appliance that comes with a recipe book,” says Tania. “It will give you step-by-step instructions crafted for that device, so you don’t have to worry about adjusting things to suit your kitchen.” Take the smart multicooker, for example. They can slow-cook, sauté, simmer, steam, and much more. Many also come with a cookbook - simply flick through the recipes to choose something romantic, and follow the instructions. Your partner will fall in love with you all over again.
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Philips 8 Litre All-In-One Cooker
Instant 5.7 Litre Duo Mega Bundle Multi Cooker
Crock Pot Express Crock XL Multi Cooker
Ninja Foodi Pro 11 In 1 6 Litre Multi Cooker
5. Treat Your Partner To A Dessert
We’ve finally arrived at the best part. Valentine’s Day desserts are traditionally chocolate-based, but there are lots of ways you can mix things up. The first step is to invest in a quality dessert machine. There are lots of different options available on the market: waffle makers, pie makers, frozen dessert makers, and ice-cream makers. The only real limit is your imagination. How about homemade raspberry pie with chocolate ice-cream? Homemade waffles topped with caramel popcorn and butterscotch? There are lots of how-to videos online that will walk you through the process. This is where memories are made.
Shop Dessert Machines
Tefal Dolci Black Knight Nesquik Bundle Ice Cream Maker
Durapres Fill n Flip Waffle Press
Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker
Ninja Creami Deluxe Ice Cream Maker Silver
There are so many ways to create an intimate and romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at home. Visit us in-store or online to find the kitchen appliances and inspiration you need to whip up a dreamy dinner for two.
