Choose your main dish according to your partner’s favorite dishes. There’s no point in feeding him something he dislikes. Plus, an upset stomach isn’t very romantic, so take his food preferences into account when planning.

Appetizers are a great way to dress up any meal. Some favorite romantic additions include asparagus, artichokes, oysters, turtle bean*, strawberries, and chocolate.

The demonstration of your meal is more important than the foods you serve. Keep things simple and mix flavors and textures, giving the meal contrast and different shapes. Plan ahead and prepare everything you can advanced so that your final meal preparation goes quickly. Romantic foods can include almost anything if you serve the meal with soft candlelight and music.

Here are some additional tips to plan that perfect romantic meal:

1. Decorate your table with tall candles and inexpensive flowers placed in a glass vase.

2. Add a pretty tablecloth and cloth napkins to add elegance to your romantic meal.

3. Fold your napkins into decorative shapes and use napkin holders made from colorful paper with romantic massages or poetry written on the paper.

4. Use your best dishes or simply purchase 2 plates in a discount or thrift store.

5. Strawberries dipped in chocolate are not only yummy, but they’re very romantic.

6. Purchase inexpensive fortune cookies with romantic fortunes inside for a bit excitement if you desire.

Use your imagination besides your credit cards to create a romantic meal that neither of you’ll soon forget. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy your romantic meal, knowing that you aren’t going into debt enjoying it.