Valentine’s Day Dinner Party 2023
Happy Sweet Valentine’s Day to you and yours! As you may recall, we host an intimate dinner party for 10 to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I wish we could invite many more people, but since it is more formal and a sit down dinner event, the maximum number we can accommodate comfortably is 10. This tradition started in 1998 and what was once an annual event, now occurs every 2 to 3 years.
The Invitation
Normally, our style for entertaining is casual and comfortable. But for our Valentine’s Day dinner, we step it up a bit, starting with the invitation. Since there is one invitation per couple, I try and make it one of a kind and extra special.
This year, I use watercolors and hand paint the front of the card. Inside are instructions on time, date and the attire, which is Dazzling and Dapper.
Using a white satin ribbon and a fabric covered button, the invitation is finished.
The invitations are hand delivered with a homemade gift of Meyer lemon Marmalade and freshly baked heart-shaped scones.
I have several lovely white boxes (from my quarterly subscription to My French Country Home box). With the jar of marmalade and scones in tissue paper, the invitation goes on top. The box is hand delivered, fun trips for my husband and I.
Guest Homework
Since some of the guests know each other and others do not, I like to get the conversation going during the cocktail hour. Each guest is asked to provide the answers to 3 questions. With a glass of Champagne, the guest is handed a sheet of paper with some of those answers. They are tasked with matching the person with the answer.
Gifts for Guests
Since my husband and I do not buy gifts for each other for Valentine’s Day, we love providing a little something for our guests. One of my favorite virtual friends, Tanya Lochridge creates and makes exquisitely designed, meticulously handmade jewelry (that is affordable!).
Please check out her online store. She is a dear and always willing to make something unique and extra special for you. Each of the bracelets she made for our guests are similar in color but one of a kind. You can find Tanya’s website here or on Instagram @tanyalochridgejewelry
For the men, I found these useful, yet fun, rechargeable flashlight gloves on Amazon. Perfect for working in small spaces and even for night time walks with your dog.
Menu Planning
Most years we hire a caterer to help with the meal, just so I can fully participate. However, our caterer is not available this year (somewhat due to our last minute decision to hold this party), so I think “I can do this”. Aye-yai-yai!
Of course, I want something elegant and a choice of entrèes~beef or salmon. To take it up a notch, we choose Wellingtons, for both the beef (Gordon Ramsey’s recipe) and the salmon (recipe by Tasty). The sides will be potatoes au gratin (by Serious Eats) and snow peas with sesame seeds.
Even though I have never made it before, my friend, Rick highly recommends this salad and it sounds delicious~Apple and Pomegranate Quinoa and Kale Salad with Feta in a curried maple dijon dressing. See recipe here from Closet Cooking.
Dessert will be Lemon Pots de Creme, which is light and refreshing. You can find that recipe here.
With menu in hand, I go to Total Wine and meet with Peter, who helps me select the wine pairing with each course. My husband researches each wine and shares the information with our guest in between courses.
On Friday and early Saturday morning, I try and pre-make everything that I can. The goal is to participate in the dinner as much as possible and not be tied to the kitchen. Timing everything is the key and I write a schedule so I know what to put in the oven when so everything comes out hot at the same time.
Cocktail Hour
This year, the cocktail hour is in the entry, dining and living room. Typically we hold it on the front porch, but daylight hours are still short. With a starting time of 6:00 p.m., sunset is at 6:09 not providing enough light to make gathering outside enjoyable.
In addition to a bit of bubbly, I serve homemade cheese straws, shrimp cocktail and a variety of vegetables and hummus. Of course, I didn’t take any pictures of the final presentation…
The Table
On the back terrace, we have a table that comfortably seats 10. With the addition of gas ceiling heaters and 2 portable heaters, it is perfectly lovely to dine outside here in February.
The flowers are from Torchio Nursery in San Francisco, which they ship overnight to me. I find it easier to buy large quantities of flowers this way and their quality is excellent. Since this post is getting quite long, I will share how I built the centerpiece at a later time.
Hydrangeas, tulips, stock, peonies, carnations, gardenias and seeded eucalyptus make up this abundant and fragrant centerpiece.
Gift bags are at each place setting.
My sweet daughter, Julianna and her boyfriend, Dalton, are big helpers the night of the event. Just before guests arrive, they inflate 50 balloons with long pink ribbons. This provides a festive look to the table!
I should have hired a photographer because I am far too busy and preoccupied to remember to take pictures! But here is one photo with our guests opening their gifts. With the fireplace going in the background, the setting looks so magical with those balloons!
Needless to say, the evening is a resounding success. The food is just delicious (that salmon Wellington!). We are so lucky to share moments like this with our friends and each time we learn more about each other. Toasts are made to peace, health, love, happiness and prosperity. Conversation is lively and thoughtful.
To see the details of our last Valentine’s Day dinner party in 2021, click here. That post was so long that I wrote it in 2 parts.
Have a loving and warm Valentine’s Day. My husband and I are still a bit pooped after this event, so I’m hoping it’s cozy clothes and a good movie for us.
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