Hosting guide For A Stunning Anti-Valentine’s Day Dinner Party
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Valentine’s Day is upon us, which means so is Anti-Valentine’s Day. Not all of us are in the spirit of love, and that’s ok! If you’re looking for another way to spend the day, or even just a welcome distraction, consider the growing trend of celebrating Anti-Valentine’s Day.
Anti-Valentine’s Day is often about embracing and prioritizing platonic relationships instead of only focusing on romantic relationships. If you’re opting for that this year, there are plenty of ways you can choose to celebrate. And while there are a few ways to celebrate Anti-Valentine’s Day, like a movie night, a sleepover, or a brunch, you could also substitute a romantic dinner with an Anti-Valentine’s Day dinner party.
Dramatic Decor
The difference between a gathering-style Anti-Valentine’s Day party and an Anti-Valentine’s Day dinner party will mainly be in the focus and in the decor. The focal point of the dinner party will, of course, be the dinner itself, meaning everything can be centered around your dinner table.
The dinner table, the surrounding decor, the manner in which the food is styled, and the menu will be your four main focal points. Additions like a good playlist and favors will be finishing touches to elevate the experience.
The concept of Anti-Valentine’s Day is inherently a bit dramatic, so the decor can embrace that extra-ness. Think dramatic draping and centerpieces, lots of candlelight, vintage candlelabras, and tons of dark reds and black!
Create a tablescape with pleated dark red fabric and stunning silver or pearl accents. Don’t forget to use your menu or place settings as an opportunity to encourage the theme, and little nods to broken or bleeding hearts push the theme without being too on the nose!
Don’t forget details like ribbons, drink markers, or a centerpiece cake topped with cherry candles!
For more inspiration, you can check out my Anti-Valentine’s Day Pinterest board. You can also search “dark feminine party”, “moody dinner party”, “deep red party aesthetic”, or “gothic dinner Party”
Anti-Valentine’s Day Decor ideas
ANTI-VALENTINE’S DAY RECIPES
Obviously, if you go the dinner party route, you’ll want to be on theme, and while there are tons of “anti-love” themed foods you can add to your menu, you can also take a more abstract route.
Here are some unexpectedly thematic recipes to help you throw the most perfect Anti-Valentine’s Day dinner party!
Prosciutto Wrapped Fig Hearts
What’s more fitting for Anti-Valentine’s Day than a steak through the heart? Luckily, these cruel bites are delicious, so they make the perfect on-theme appetizer for your gathering. They are also incredibly easy to make, requiring only figs, goat cheese wrapped in prosciutto, and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. A few minutes of prep time is all it takes to start your dinner party off with a bang. Don’t forget your sword appetizer picks to finish them off perfectly.
Midnight Garden Salad
A salad course is always a nice addition to a dinner party and this dark and moody recipe is perfect to land your Anti-Valentine’s Day theme. The colors are gothic and romantic but the flavors are light but complex, making it the perfect addition to your menu.
Black Fruit Salad
If you really want to commit to the theme, consider going with this black fruit salad, that has just a hint of pink. Leaning into the colors instead of heart decor or the usual suspects is an easy way to convey the theme while also elevating it. This recipe also comes with a tea rose syrup, which has the benefit of being delicious, and on theme.
Squid Ink Pasta
Squid Ink pasta is an interesting entree option that will wow your guests for sure but don’t worry, the flavor is mild but salty, so you can play around with your recipes. This particular recipe has shrimp and cherry tomatoes, which bring in some color and flavors that play well with the squid ink.
Broken Heart Cookies
Unfortunately, there are lots of broken hearts around this time of year, but what better way to get over a broken heart than to indulge in chocolatey, caramel goodness? These stuffed broken heart cookies make the perfect after-dinner treat. Redeem the day by breaking a heart yourself, but this time you’re just meet with sweetness.
Black Tell-Tale Heart Cupcakes
If you’re looking to make an even bigger statement, these heart-topped cupcakes will absolutely do that. These moist Red Velvet cupcakes are topped with black frosting and red, and chocolate anatomical hearts which can easily be created with a mold!
Chocolate and Hibiscus Cake
Looking for something more elevated than cupcakes? This chocolate cake with a Hibiscus curd might be your answer. While it does not take a huge amount of skill to make, the flavors are unique and step the cake up a few notches.
Anti-Conversation Heart Cookies
If you are looking for something more customizable, perhaps a really cool way to get all your feelings out, consider these customizable conversation heart cookies. This recipe is for a red velvet cookie so the looks fit the theme but you can definitely do this with varying types of cookies. Just be sure to find a recipe that doesn’t spread in the oven. And your options for sayings are unlimited with a customizable cookie stamp, so get creative!
Hibiscus Martini
When planning a dinner party, you have to plan every course, including the drinks. The gorgeous jewel-toned martinis are not only delicious but fit the part, they are even garnished with candied hibiscus! If you’re looking for something sweet with a hint of tartness to add into those bitter Anti-Valentines day vibes, this is your choice!
Blackberry Sangria
If you’d like to opt out of the individual drinks, whether to save time or just because this is more your style, consider this dark and moody blackberry sangria. But don’t let the color fool you, the bright fruity flavors make it a crowd favorite.
Perhaps the day of love is not something you have to look forward to, but a good dinner party is always a mood booster. Perfectly curate the anti-love vibes with these creatively themed food options and call up your besties to show them what you’ve got!
Looking for more Anti-Valentine’s Day Inspiration? Check out these Anti-Valentine’s Day Cocktails and Mocktails
Want to celebrate Anti-Valentine’s Day but skip the dinner party? Check this post!
