Table & Thyme’s Guide for an Unforgettable Valentine’s Day
It’s almost that time of year…
Whether you’re coupled up or flying solo, Valentine’s Day can be an exciting and memorable holiday for everyone, especially with this Valentine's Day survival guide by Table & Thyme!
For most people, February 14th is a day filled with either romance, indifference, or something in between. Those that find themselves happily tied to their partner may be marking out their calendars for the romantic evening, whilst others may be planning to celebrate the holiday for the complete opposite reason! Either way, Valentine’s Day is an exciting excuse to get out of your routine and have some fun!
Traditionally, couples will spend the evening reminiscing memories or reconnecting over a delicious meal and maybe a few glasses of wine. As fun as it can be, some people may be looking for something more this year. After all, most of us have been cooped up and bogged down with the state of the world lately, so maybe this Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to try new things! What makes this guide particularly useful is that the advice isn’t exclusive to couples. Over the past few years, protesters of traditional Valentine’s Day festivities have been growing in numbers. Celebrations like ‘Gal-intine’s Day’ have popped up across the country, as well as an increased interest in celebrating the holiday even if one is single. Honestly, we could all use a reason to cut loose, so we think everyone could benefit from this Valentine’s Day Guide!
Whether you’re planning on spending the day with your partner or you’re looking to have a fun evening with friends, or even on your own, this guide is going to be perfect for your Valentine’s Day festivities in 2022! We’re talking food, fun, and more to make this holiday an extra special one just for you, so if you’re interested in creating new memories and maybe even new holiday traditions, you’re in the right place!
Image by Cooker King
A sure-fire way to someone’s heart is to win them over with some great food!
You may not need to win anyone over, but having some delicious food isn’t going to hurt anyone! Of course, when it comes to the epitome of ‘date-night,’ Valentine’s Day has some strong ties to elaborate dinners. Unlike in previous years, making reservations at the local fancy-pants restaurant isn’t as easy, or practical, as it used to be. It may be more convenient, and frankly safer, for people to celebrate the day of love with a homemade meal.
You can always order takeout and make a night out of it, but if you want to save some cash and try something new, we’ve got the perfect recipes for you! At Table & Thyme, we know a thing or two about delicious food. In fact, we’ve provided elevated catering experiences to people for years now, which makes us an expert in making moments even more memorable with food! We’ve put together the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner, with appetizer and dessert included, for you to mix, match, and enjoy!
An easy and fancy appetizer: Baked Brie!
One of the best foods known to man has got to be some delicious cheese. There are so many varieties, all with intricate and unique flavors, that everyone is bound to have an affinity with at least one type! Cheese can be such a versatile component to dishes, which it’s why it is included in so many. Brie, for example, is a soft and gooey cheese that heightens sweetness and brings out notes of herbs and fruit with whatever is being served, making it great as an appetizer! Baked Brie is so easy to make and pairs well with nearly everything, plus it is so easily customizable to suit your own flavor preferences. It’s truly an asset as an appetizer!
A while back, Table & Thyme shared a few of our own recipes for baked Brie. You can serve it topped with fruit and alongside crackers while you snack with your partner, or you can serve it in your very own grazing table of charcuterie-eats and enjoy the company of your friends in refinement! Here are Table & Thyme’s recipe recommendations for baked Brie that are perfect for Valentine’s Day in 2022:
Blackberry & Thyme Baked Brie
Easy Raspberry Baked Brie
A Delectable Dinner: Spinach and Sausage Pasta
The main course has got to be one of the tastiest components of any Valentine’s Day dinner. Skip the steak and potatoes and opt for some savory pasta that’s not only incredibly easy to make but also so delicious, you’ll probably be making it on a regular basis!
Our Spinach and Sausage Pasta is cooked to perfection and made with fresh garlic, tomatoes, and savory smoked sausage. You’ll definitely need to make some extras since you’re guaranteed to want a second helping!
Table & Thyme’s Spinach Sausage Pasta
Darling Dessert: Bourbon Chocolate Cake with Blackberry Buttercream
You know what makes Valentine’s Day feel so sweet? All the sugary goodness that comes with it! An overload of sweetness and desserts is kind of given when it comes to Valentine’s Day, and of course, we had to share a recipe that fit perfectly with the holiday theme! Enjoy the taste of bliss in this rich bourbon chocolate cake topped with fluffy and pink blackberry buttercream!
This recipe was shared as part of Table & Thyme’s Old Elk Bourbon Series, which has several other dessert recipes, so be sure to check them out as well!
Bourbon Chocolate Cake with Blackberry Buttercream
Image by Everton Vila
How to Spend Your Valentine’s Day
While most people are familiar with the idea of getting lunch or dinner as a way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, a lot of people forget to plan the rest of the date! It’s a holiday, which means you deserve to do more than you would on any other date throughout the year. Even if you’re not seeing a special someone to commemorate the day of love, even spending time with yourself or friends can be fun and exciting on Valentine’s Day! So, here are our suggestions on how to enjoy your Valentine’s Day in ways you may not have considered before!
Charcuterie and Chill
This is the perfect option for anyone looking to spend their evening with their gal-pals, friends, or have a night of platonic fun! While you can play the part of the gracious host and put together an elaborate spread of quality foods to impress party guests, you can also shake things up by letting guests create their own miniature charcuterie boards! Grab some ingredients and get to work creating works of edible art while snacking on quality foods and sipping on delicious wine. It’s the perfect backdrop to a night of good laughs and great food!
Create a Couples Cocktail
Looking for a way to show your creativity whilst celebrating the love you share? Look no further! This Valentine’s Day, put your heads together to create a new signature cocktail that embodies everything your relationship represents! Maybe take parts of your favorite drinks to make a new one, or play potions and mix until you find the perfect recipe. Not only is this a fun way to practice your communication skills and try new things, but you also get the added benefit of delicious drinks! This can also be done with mocktails if that’s more your style, or maybe even coffee, tea, or other types of drinks! Whatever you may prefer, spend the evening creating something entirely unique to you and your relationship together that you can take with you in your future celebrations!
Don’t be Afraid to Get Crafty
Speaking of letting your creativity fly, why not let Valentine’s Day be the excuse to let out your inner artist! There are so many fun crafts you can do with your partner or even your friends that will result in one of the most memorable nights of your life! You can make a trip to the craft store to gather supplies and create something to remind you of the time you tried something new! Here are a few ideas of crafts to try this Valentine’s Day:
Door Wreaths
Paint along with Bob Ross or another artist
Make your own mini-bouquets
Tie-Dye
DIY Bookmarks
Write a cheesy song together
Re-create your favorite rom-com scenes with makeshift wigs and costumes on Tik Tok
Choreograph a dance to your favorite song in your living room
Write and perform poems about each other
These are just some of the many ways you can have fun on your Valentine’s Day, so if you feel inspired, we think it’s about time you tried something new!
Make this Valentine’s Day Extra Special with Table & Thyme’s Graze Boxes
If there was some way we could make your Valentine’s Day even better, we would be honored to do so. Luckily, there is! With our unique and bountiful graze boxes, you can enjoy the finer things in life without even trying! We offer a variety of products, but for Valentine’s Day we have a few recommendations for what we think would make your holiday an unforgettable one.
Our graze boxes are filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, savory charcuterie meats, aged cheeses, and so, so much more! Our mini-graze boxes, which serve about two people, are the perfect Valentine’s Day treat to share with that special someone. Or, you can enjoy great food and good company with our medium graze boxes. And for those looking to go all out for the holiday, we suggest our Letters and Numbers boxes! Why not spell out your beloved’s name or a simple “Love” in decadent foods to celebrate the occasion? There is a perfect option out there for everyone, so be sure to find what works for you by visiting our graze boxes page!
We hope you enjoyed our guide to an unforgettable Valentine’s Day in 2022. If you found that spark you were looking for, don’t hesitate to share your story with us! We would love to hear about how your holiday turned out, so be sure to connect with us on social media!
For more information on Table and Thyme, contact them today! Follow us on our social media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest to see the other amazing events, lavishing grazing tables and beautiful graze boxes we have created.