Valentine’s Day is, if nothing else, a polarizing holiday. There are those who adore it — including yours truly — and find joy in every single bouquet of blooms, every heart-shaped card and every candy-heart saying. And then there are those who would rather not be involved in the celebration at all, thank you very much.
But regardless of how you feel about the Cupid-themed holiday, Valentine’s Day is simply a fantastic excuse for that get-together, dinner party or Sunday brunch you’ve been meaning to host. Here are some easy ideas for a sweet Valentine’s table that don't take a ton of effort — or empty your wallet. I’ve kept versatility in mind, so whether you’re planning on a romantic evening or an afternoon with friends, these three projects should do the trick.
1. A Sweet Centerpiece:
Flowers are a Valentine’s Day must, and a charming centerpiece can be easily accomplished with a quick visit to the grocery store. I’ve used candy conversation hearts here, but Red Hot candies will also do the trick. Simply place a small vase inside a larger one and fill the additional space with the candy of your choice.
2. Nametags with a Chocolate Surprise:
Place tags are a nice way to show your guests that you’ve put some thought into your get-together — and a smart spin on the typical card makes for a creative party favor, too. These boxes were easily constructed with small crafting boxes found at
Pat Catan’s Craft Center, cardstock, Valentine’s Day-themed wrapping paper and felt. I started by wrapping the boxes as I would a gift. Then, using sheets of felt called Felties — also found at Pat Catan’s — I filled the inside of the boxes for an amateur-meets-professional effect. The nametags (I used scrapbook cardstock) are the last step. In the end, four boxes took about an hour to construct — and fill with candy, of course. Color choice, paper choice and embellishments are up to you — just go with what fits your personality, your get-together and, most importantly, your schedule.
I started with simple red placemats from Target. The store has a variety of Valentine’s Day decorations and place settings, but these mats are versatile enough to use year-round.
Paper doilies from Target dress up the usual napkin-silverware combo nicely. Instead of hunting down Valentine’s Day napkin rings, I wrapped doilies around each silverware bundle and then secured them with a ribbon. Cloth napkins can also be used — I opted for white paper napkins, but this choice is again up to the host.
In the end, I needed about two hours to make the centerpiece, nametags and place settings. The materials were found at two stores — Pat Catan’s and Target — and as you’ll see below in my list of supplies, the cost for these three projects was low. I hope you enjoy making these dinner-party decorations, and I’d love to hear your feedback. If you’d like, use our new comment feature to share your thoughts, as well as any of your own Valentine’s Day tricks and tips. Supplies: Assorted cardstock and Felties from Pat Catan’s Craft Center 30 cents to 60 cents each) 4 2.75-inch boxes from Pat Catan’s Craft Center (67 cents each) 3 14 x 19-inch placemats from Target ($1.99 each) 1 20-count paper doily pack from Target ($1.99) Valentine’s Day gift wrap from Target ($1.00).