Charter a romantic Valentine's Day rendezvous for a few close friends, or just the two of you. Celebrate with a special menu featuring newly affordable lobster as the mainstay, and set your course for an evening of merriment and affections by the warmth of a toasty fire.

Handmade invitations will entice dinner guests and create great excitement and anticipation for the evening ahead. Use the wide assortment of papers found at stationers or crafts and hobby shops. The invitations can be handwritten or computer generated. Try using sealing wax in the shape of a heart, and hand-deliver to guests' mailboxes.

Valentines and chocolate are almost synonymous. From the beginning of the evening to the end, a taste of delicious chocolate will be certain to please. Mix a batch of Godiva chocolate martinis (with or without alcohol) for friends as they walk in the front door. Etched glasses and a martini shaker with lobster motifs set the stage for evening.

A simple plate of cheese straws is the perfect starter for the meal ahead.

Greet guests with a cozy fireside dinner, inviting all to linger long past the completion of the meal.

Faux coral limbs wrapped with rustic rope around a tall spray of votive candles give just enough nautical flare without interfering with table talk. Use a plant stand to make a wispy floral design of coral-colored roses and sweet-smelling eucalyptus.

Ecru-and-red dish towels imprinted with lobsters hang on the back of each guest's chair to present a dressier approach to the traditional plastic lobster bib.

Host's tip: Be inventive when you share your home with friends; it's much more personal than dining in a restaurant and will bring friends closer together in a more comfortable environment.

Create an intimate setting by bringing guests to your living room or study.

This portable dining table can seat up to eight. To make the tabletop, use a 48-inch-square, precut piece of plywood found at home supply stores, and cover it with felt using a staple gun. Use a smaller pedestal table or card table underneath for support.

Cover the table with heavy craft paper to allow for easy cleanup. To fit the 48-inch table, simply glue together two 5-foot pieces of 30-inch paper. Lay it over a pressed, white linen tablecloth, and crease the surrounding edges tightly for a sophisticated bistro look.

Host's tip: Portable tabletops and pretty folding chairs can store easily and be moved around the house to create an instant dining area anytime, anywhere. Square tops allow hosts to increase table length to suit the number of guests.

Classic and clean, create a table design that is natural and beautiful, yet does not compete with the elegant presentation of the food.

These oversize square plates are the perfect backdrop for our menu. Use a mixture of stemware to bring warmth to your table. Handmade napkin rings (made of twine, shells, and coral) and white polka-dot napkins tie up the nautical theme.

Host's tip: Seat couples very close to each other to encourage romance! To mark each place in a most personal way, frame a "couple" photo of your guests and place it in the middle of the two settings. Here, an inexpensive set of coasters with a photo window and a stand are used.

Succulent and sweet, there is no greater delight than a lobster dinner. Keep the menu simple. This rich seafood delicacy could almost stand alone.

Treat your friends to a feast of fresh Maine lobsters. Shipped for overnight delivery, they can arrive in your kitchen live from New England. Prices for lobsters have never been lower, making this indulgence a little more attainable.

Valentine's Dinner Menu Suggestion

• Caesar Salad
• Twice-Baked Spinach Potatoes
• Boiled Maine Lobster With Lemon Butter (available at LobsterGuy.com)
• French Bread

Choosing a fine bottle wine is most important. Here are perfect selections (some frugal and some not) to complement the meal and dining experience.

A setting of homemade chocolate truffles with a touch of raspberries and fresh mint makes a lovely display in your dining setup. Simply allow guests to help themselves to a final after-dinner bite with a glass of wine, and throw another log on the fire.

• Chocolate Truffles
• Pistachio Truffles

Host's tip: A "drinking table" in the living room is an old English custom and keeps dinner wines close at hand. Arrange an attractive display on a table or cart near shelves, and use the space to showcase the wines for the evening.