As if a dates weren’t stressful enough, you’ve decided to have your date (with the person you whole-heartedly believe to be the elusive “One”) on Valentine’s Day. That’s a lot of pressure, if you ask us.

Luckily for you, as the people with the ‘know-how’ when it comes to planning the perfect event, we’re going to help you turn this potential disaster into a simple and enjoyable night that’s well worth remembering. Part D.I.Y, part artfully placed party products, this is the all-you-need guide to setting the tone for a Valentine’s Day date that’s full to bursting with romance.

Consider who you’re dating

While we don’t expect you to know everything about them, it is important that you try to tune your Valentine’s Day date to something you think they’d really enjoy. Did you ever chat to them about their favorite kind of food? Or do you happen to know that they studied art history in College? Either way, by paying attention to these tiny details, you can build upon these areas of interest to ensure you plan a first date that’s right up their alley.

Focus on food

The truth of the matter is that most first dates, and most Valentine’s Day celebrations, are built around some element of eating, whether it’s a table at a new restaurant or a box of chocolates while you’re cuddled up on the couch. By really paying attention to the type of food that your date enjoys, you can plan for a number of date options:

• Cook at home

  – while this shows how dedicated you are to making a memorable evening, it’s not the way to go if you’re prone to anxiety. That said, if you’re more than capable in the kitchen you can choose this rather romantic option and customize the food by presenting it in a heartfelt way. Think heart-shaped salads and you’re on the right track.

• Go to a restaurant

  – as we mentioned before, if you’re prone to anxiety it’s probably best to leave your Valentine’s Day meal in the hands of someone who won’t leave you both with food poisoning. Be careful, though, of the notoriously bad time you may have trying to make a reservations. It’s really not just a simple night out, and you will be battling with a myriad of like-minded lovers to get a booking. Plan well in advance so that you don’t have to resort to ordering take out and pretending you cooked it yourself.

• With that said, order in

  – when it comes down to it, there is no shame in ordering in. Be honest with your date and ensure her it’s for the benefit of both of your stomachs that you leave the cooking to someone else. Ordering in allows you to combine the stress-free notion of having someone else cook for you, with the intimacy of eating at home. Couple this with romantically themed goodies you bought from the bakery down the road, and you’re onto a winning thing here.

Set the mood

Whether you’re staying in or going out, it’s important that the mood of the date confirms your goal for the evening – with that goal being romance, of course. There are a number of ways that you can encourage a romantic ambiance, which include:

• Dress up a little

  – taking extra care of your appearance shows your date that you’re willing to put extra effort in to woo them.

• Decorate your place

  – in a similar way to putting extra effort into how you look, it’s just as important that you pay attention to how your place looks. Luckily for you, there are a range of products that can help you to make your place into the scene of romance it ought to be. Candle bags add a warm glow to the evening, while some Wish Stars strung up around the place brings the romantic starry night skies inside.

Arrange a gift

Contrary to popular belief, a gift on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be expensive or flashy. And if this day of love doubles as your first date, you can get away with something very cute and a little bit cliche. Flowers are a traditional gift that women do enjoy. However, just because it’s traditional, it doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up. Do a little recon with her friends and find out her favourite flower so that you can tailor this popular choice for Valentine’s Day into one that’s a little bit more special. Another option that can suit both men and women is a stuffed toy.. Couple this with a hand-written card with a touching message inside and it’ll certainly win first place amongst the throw pillows on their bed. If you’re a creative person, then you can use this to great effect. Activities can be better than gifts and take the pressure out of planning every second of the date. Consider a hot air balloon ride over your city or a horse-riding session on a beach. Alternatively, light some wish lanterns together at a lookout point across the city and hold hands as they float away into the night sky.

Say what you mean

At the end of the day, whether you plan your Valentine’s Day date as a surprise or plan it all together with your date, there is one thing that can always remain a surprise and that is your words. Take the time at some point in the evening to tell your date why they are so special to you. Go beyond the ordinary I like you’s and I love you’s and try to think about why this person really matters to you. And once you’ve figured out a few reasons as to why this person makes your heart skip a beat, tell them. Because no matter where you are, what you’re doing or what you got them, none of it will mean as much as the words you use to tell them just how crazy you are about them. So do it!