Breakfast in Bed

Treating your loved one to a romantic dinner is the traditional way of celebrating Valentine's Day,  but restaurants tend to be crowded and overwhelming on this night of lovers. When time allows, a great alternative to battling it out with the crowds on February 14th is to bring the party home. Consider a romantic and luxurious breakfast in bed  where you can serve your special someone a tray of their favorite breakfast food  and drink. Breakfast in bed is not only a tasty surprise, but it makes a good impression because it is so often ignored and forgotten. Here are the essentials for planning and preparing the ultimate culinary delights for your honey on any special occasion, whether it be Valentine's Day, an anniversary,  birthday,  or just because.

Prepare the Bed

This has to be thought about no later than the night before. The goal is to create a bed that will be comfortable and sensuous, but also practical. Here are the basics to have covered.

Sheets   Make sure that the sheets are clean and the area surrounding the bed  is clutter free. Keep in mind that satin sheets  or those with a higher thread count will have a more luxurious feeling.	Nightstand  Be especially certain that the bedside table will have room should you or the person eating need to place anything on it.	Pillows   The bed should have plenty of large, comfortable pillows to prop up your sweetheart so that he or she can eat, read, watch the news, etc.	Serving Tray   Make sure that you have one of these on hand. A classic style such as the one shown here works wonderfully. Legs to prop it up and a flat surface are the key points to remember when purchasing one.

Morning Duties

Some things you'll need to do during the morning well before your loved one awakes.

Flowers   Pick up a bouquet  of fresh flowers or just a few single stemmed roses.  You can be extra romantic and place the petals on your breakfast tray or place a few flowers in a vase  to complement the meal.	Periodicals  Consider what your significant other likes to look at in the morning, whether it be the daily paper,  a favorite magazine,  or a new book  that he or she just bought.	Fresh Food  Grab some pastries  hot from the baker's or some bread  to add to the meal. Fresh fruit  bought that morning or maybe picked in your garden could also be a nice touch.

Grade-A Griddles

Severely lacking in the cooking supplies  department? Don't worry, these electric  and stovetop griddles  are great for cooking just about any type of breakfast food you can imagine.

Kitchen Selectives GR63 Griddle  This is a great electric griddle size since it is big enough to fit more than your standard amount of pancakes but not so large that it takes up all of your counter space. The bottom legs are made of non-skid rubber so that it can be placed anywhere in the kitchen.	Oster Griddle w/Warming Tray  This is a large 15x18" electric griddle that comes complete with a slide out warming tray underneath to keep cooked food fresh while other breakfast items are being prepared.	Rival GR405 Fold N Store Electric Griddle  This electric griddle actually folds up for easy storage and comes with cool touch handles for manageability. The non-stick removable plates and grease tray also make for fast cleanup.	T-FAL WEAREVER Hard-Anodized Griddle, 11 inch.  This is a stovetop griddle that has a large surface area and non-stick material for ease of use. Cool touch handles and a durable exterior make this griddle a great addition to your kitchen.

The Breakfast

This is the fun part, so don't be afraid to get creative. 

Drinks

Coffee  First thing's first -- get the coffee going! Use a French press  for a more romantic feel (and easier transportation and refilling while in bed) or just brew up a pot in the normal coffee maker.  The smell will gently help wake up your sweetheart. Also, think about a coffee grinder  if you want to make your brew extra special and fresh.	Breakfast Smoothie  Try making a delicious fruit smoothie.  Fill the blender  with red fruits, such as strawberries,  raspberries,  currants,  and watermelon  and then add some yogurt  for an early morning treat that it sure to impress.	Mimosa  Make a champagne  mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice  from the juicer.  Use the best glasses  you have in the house to show what a special occasion it is and don't skimp on buying a quality champagne.	Tea  Bring your lady or gent a cup of piping hot tea just the way she or he likes it! Perhaps even consider buying a nice gourmet tin of tea  as a special treat, or opt for a pretty new infuser  that the tea aficionado will swoon over.

Food

Waffles  Whip up a scintillating batch of waffles in a waffle maker  and slather them with cinnamon,  whipped cream,  and fresh fruit.	Omelettes  Use your best omelette pan  to serve up a farm fresh egg and cheese concoction. Don't forget the hash browns!	Eggs  Try an egg poacher  and make a luxurious batch of eggs benedict with a creamy hollandaise sauce,  or get romantic with heart shaped egg rings.	Pancakes  Flip a few flapjacks into a pile of soft, fluffy perfection on the griddle. If you are truly a master of the pancake, make some fun shapes and add some fruit inside.

Related Guides

Bed Linen Basics	Coffee Makers	Egg Cookers	Waffle Makers	Valentine's Day

 

External Links

• SoYouWanna.com : How to make a romantic breakfast.
• AskMen.com: Recipes for a breakfast in bed.
• LovingYou.com: Some romantic breakfast ideas from couples.
• Breakfast and Brunch: Breakfast recipes.
• ImproveYourRomance.com: Why breakfast in bed is so great.