Is a Romantic Valentine's Dinner at Home Really a Good Idea?
Putting a smile on your partner's face may be easier than you think...if you know your way around the kitchen, that is. A new HelloFresh survey conducted by OnePoll reveals the connection between cooking, relationships, and how it all comes together.
Putting a smile on your partner's face may be easier than you think...if you know your way around the kitchen, that is. A new HelloFresh survey conducted by OnePoll reveals the connection between cooking, relationships, and how it all comes together.
Why a Romantic Dinner for Two Could Your Best Valentine’s Day Idea Yet
Looking for a Valentine’s Day idea your partner won’t forget? Our recent survey indicates you may want to start with a romantic dinner at home. When we asked 2,000 Americans in a relationship how cooking plays into their relationships, we found out that 79% of them believe good food is the best way to get into someone’s heart. After all, if the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, why shouldn’t the same be for everyone’s heart? Maybe this is why 42% of those polled also said that a home-cooked meal is a “must-have” for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients for a Romantic Valentine’s Day
63%
want to receive chocolates
56%
would like a bouquet of flowers
43%
want to receive a greeting card
42%
would like to eat a home-cooked meal
25%
want jewelry
Sexiest Traits to Have in a Partner
How Many Dates Should I Wait Before I Cook a Romantic Dinner at Home?
Before you search for “romantic dinner ideas for two at home”, keep in mind that survey respondents shared that it takes four dates for them to feel comfortable moving date night to their partner’s home, and five dates to host them in their own home. If you’re not at that stage yet, consider a night on the town with a fancy dinner as a good Valentine’s Day date night alternative.
Ready to take the plunge? Awesome! Confident about cooking? Great! Looking for the perfect Valentine’s day dinner recipe? Slow down there. Before you attempt a new, complicated recipe at home, know that 65% of responders believe that if the meal is bad, the date will be bad too. On a more positive note, a higher 72% said the date will be better if the food hits the spot. Translation? Make sure the recipe you choose is romantic, simple, and (most importantly) delicious!
Good food aside, you also want to mind your manners! Survey respondents called out the following turn-offs they look out for when they’re out on a date.
Ready to take the plunge? Awesome! Confident about cooking? Great! Looking for the perfect Valentine’s day dinner recipe? Slow down there. Before you attempt a new, complicated recipe at home, know that 65% of responders believe that if the meal is bad, the date will be bad too. On a more positive note, a higher 72% said the date will be better if the food hits the spot. Translation? Make sure the recipe you choose is romantic, simple, and (most importantly) delicious!
Good food aside, you also want to mind your manners! Survey respondents called out the following turn-offs they look out for when they’re out on a date.
Table Etiquette: Date Night Turn-Offs
56%
find it a turn-off if their date is rude to the staff
52%
would consider skipping a second date if their date chews with their mouth open
47%
think that taking food off their plate without asking is a big no-no
38%
will consider it an undateable offense if their date doesn’t offer to pick up the tab
32%
find it rude to send food back to the kitchen
27%
are also turned off if their date doesn’t tip well
26%
think that getting too drunk on a date is a sign of bad things to come
Cooking for Date Night
When you do make it to the romantic dinner at home stage in your relationship — a stage that 81% of respondents agree means the relationship is getting serious — you may notice that your cooking skills will start improving. In fact, 78% of those surveyed said their cooking skills actually improved when they started incorporating date night recipes into their playbook, with 67% saying that they're more likely to cook at home than eat out. Even more promising for those taking notes on how to make Valentine’s Day more pleasurable for their significant others is this: 70% of those polled agreed that cooking for their partner is more intimate than sex! So, if you want your partner to be more attracted to you AND have a good Valentine’s Day, you better put on that apron, get learning, and start cooking.
