Village Gardens

There are many different things that are considered romantic.  One of the things people often think of when asked to name something romantic is a bouquet of flowers, especially red roses.  When it comes to planning a romantic date or dinner, flowers are almost always a must.  The magic of flowers can turn any event into a romantic one…but why?

Flowers aren’t always romantic.  Sometimes, they symbolize friendship, such as when you receive flowers congratulating you on a promotion or for a job well done.  Sometimes they remind you that others care, as in get well flowers.  Sometimes they help to commemorate an event like a birth, a graduation, or a birthday.  While these flowers are certainly magical, they aren’t considered romantic unless they come from your significant other.

So what brings about the romantic magic of flowers?  Well, part of it is the sender.  As stated above, flowers from your significant other are obviously going to carry more of a romantic meaning than those from others.  Flowers given on anniversaries and on Valentine’s Day (or any other day significant to your relationship) are also more magical and romantic.

The magic of flowers is that they make us happy and remind us that others care.  While romantic flowers may seem best to some people, overall, all given flowers are magical.

While a romantic picnic outdoors is certainly nice, sometimes the weather doesn’t permit it.  Other times, the bugs are just too much.  However, a nice alternative is an indoor picnic, especially for those who aren’t exactly the outdoors types.

Planning an indoor picnic is easy.  First, select the location.  You can push the furniture out of the way and use your living room or dining room floor, or you can spread your picnic blanket over your bed and use that.  Any indoor location works.  For the small and intimate, you can even have an indoor picnic in your laundry room or in a large closet.

Next, decide on the food.  Indoor picnics aren’t limited by cooler space or the transportation of food.  You can have hot, cooked food right from your own kitchen, or you can go with sandwiches or other traditional picnic foods.  Drink, too, is completely up to you—lemonade, water, soda, or something more romantic like champagne or wine.

That’s all you need.  Just pick a time, invite your significant other over, and enjoy your indoor picnic!

Some people say romance is dead.  But is it really?  Perhaps it’s not dead but it has simply changed form.  However, if you bring back the lost art of romance as it once was, you’ll find that you can impress your significant other like nothing else.

The first part of the lost art of romance is to set the mood.  Today, many people simply cook up a quick meal or order in, but if you truly want to impress your significant other, you’ll need to pay attention to the details.  How many people turn down the lights and eat by candle light any more?  Set the table with some tapers and put some tea lights around the room.  You may even want to play a CD of piano music or other romantic music, but remember to keep the volume down fairly low so that it doesn’t interfere with talking.

Flowers, too, are an important part of setting the mood and showing off your romantic side.  Buy her a nice bouquet of her favorite flowers or set them on the table to surprise her.  Remember, though, that you’ll want to move them off the table so that there’s nothing between the two of you that would impede talking.  During dinner, you want to be able to see each other.

If you go out, be sure to hold doors for her and, if at a restaurant, pull out her chair.  These small touches of chivalry may be lost on some women, but others will truly appreciate the extra lengths you’re going to.  Just be sure she’s going to appreciate them—if you know your girlfriend or wife isn’t into these types of things (some women aren’t), then don’t do them.

Romance may be something of a lost art in today’s break-neck speed lifestyle, but if you slow down and do a little work, you’ll find that you can bring it back and truly make an impression.

Planning a Romantic Date Night in Kansas City Planning a romantic date night for you and your special someone? If you’re living in Kansas City and looking for something that will impress him or her, here are a few ideas for creating that special night.

There are a number of great romantic restaurants in Kansas City. If you want to really impress your significant other, you might want to go with Le Fou Frog, a French bistro located near the downtown river market. The cozy tables are lit by candles, and the menu is constantly changing as the chef creates great new dishes.

Californos is another popular romantic restaurant. It offers a great view and a nice, warm fireplace that warms up those chilly winter nights. Some tables are recessed into small nooks so you can enjoy a romantic dinner in almost near-privacy. The restaurant also features a very extensive wine list.

Attending an event at the Starlight Theatre in Swope Park can also be a great romantic opportunity. They bring in a number of different types of entertainment thorugh the summer, including great concerts. Before or after the show, you can also take a stroll through the park. In fact, strolling through any park in Kansas City can be a great romantic date. You could pack a picnic dinner, then watch the sun set and the stars come out.

Of course, no date night is complete without a few surprises. Pick up a nice bouquet of flowers to give her at the beginning of the date, especially if you are picking her up. Don’t forget to dress to impress, too. This doesn’t mean you have to wear a suit, but take a bit of time to make sure you look good. Remember, too, to make this date night personal. Any little personal touch such as going to a favorite restaurant or surprising him or her with tickets to a favorite musician is a sure way of making your romantic date night a success.

Men, have you felt like (or been flat out told) that you failed at Valentine’s Day?  This holiday can be one of the most frustrating for guys because it seems like it’s a minefield.  Forget flowers?  You may be sleeping on the couch!  Got her chocolate?  Well, she eats them, but then she complains that you’re making her fat.  Uh-oh…is there any way to win?  Yes!  This year, don’t disappoint her.  Instead of focusing on what you get her, focus on the feelings behind each gift and activity.

Going out to an expensive restaurant for dinner, for example, may be an OK event, but what if you spent the time cooking her favorite meal?  That shows several things.  One, it speaks to your knowledge of what she likes.  Two, it shows that you’re willing to put in a little extra work to woo her.  It also gives you the chance to really show off your romantic side by sitting a table that features roses, candles, and good china (or at least something other than paper plates). 

Getting a gift to go with your bouquet of flowers (and yes, you should definitely send her flowers or bring a bouquet home with you) is a great idea, but again, the more personal the gift, the better.  If she likes stuffed teddy bears, great, but if she doesn’t, don’t pick one up just because it seems like you should.  Some women would rather get a box of chocolates, although if your significant other is dieting, this may be a bad idea. 

No matter what you do, don’t just do something because it seems traditional and expected.  Go out of your way to really think about each and every thing you plan for this Valentine’s Day.  Incorporate little touches like her favorite flower, favorite wine, or favorite activities.  Or do something unexpected.  For example, plan a romantic scavenger hunt that starts when she comes home and finds a single red rose with the first clue attached to it.  The clue could have her searching the bedroom for a gift and the next clue.  This clue might send her to a store where you’ve pre-arranged to have another gift waiting.  The clue there could send her to meet you at a restaurant for dinner.  It’s fun, different, and shows that you’ve put a lot of thought into Valentine’s Day.

Feeling like you and your partner just don’t connect anymore?  Does your romance seem to be stuck?  If so, putting together a little romantic weekend can be the perfect cure-all for a relationship that seems to be running out of gas.  It may not fix any serious problems you and your partner have, but if all you need is a little pick-me-up, it can be perfect.

So how do you go about creating the perfect romantic weekend?  Well, start by completely clearing your schedule, and let your partner know he or she needs to clear his/hers as well.  Nothing kills the mood like being interrupted or having things that must be done.  Set aside “us time.”  This may involve hiring a babysitter or sending the kids off to visit grandma and grandpa for the weekend, so be sure you make your plans early.

Next, have a plan.  Don’t go into a romantic weekend with the idea that you’ll make it up as you go along.  Decide on what activities you’re going to do.  Are you going to go out of town?  Even if you don’t leave town, booking a room at a fancy hotel can be a great idea.  Even if you’re only five minutes from your home, the different setting can really change the atmosphere.  Having room service is nice, too.

On the other hand, you may want to have a romantic candle-lit dinner at home.  While it will involve cooking, if you’re a culinary wiz, that only adds to the romance.  Get a nice bouquet of flowers for the table, light some candles, and turn on some jazz or other nice background music.  Dim the lights, serve the meal, and spend some time just talking or being with each other.

Surprises make a great addition to any romantic weekend.  Surprising him or her with an arrangement of flowers, with chocolates, or with any little sort of gift is a great idea.  The more personal the gift, the better, of course.  Go with what you know your partner likes.  If you want to add a little sizzle to the weekend, a gift of sexy lingerie or underwear can be a nice little hint of what you’ve got planned.

Above all, when planning a romantic weekend, make it all about the two of you.  Even if you don’t have the money to go all out and take your partner to a fancy restaurant or to an expensive event, if you show that you’re focused on him/her, that’s all that’s really necessary.  Turn off the cell phones, get away from the internet, and just enjoy each other’s company.  Taking the time to focus on your relationship is often all it needs to get that special spark back.