There’s never been a better time to celebrate love. And, this year, there’s no reason to leave the fun of a Valentine’s party just to the kids.
“I’m seeing an increase in interest in Valentine’s Day parties,” says Courtney Lutkus, owner ofSimply Radiant Events, a Southern California event planning and design company. “People want to get together with their friends.”
Whether you’d enjoy hosting a romantic gathering of some of your best couple friends or a fun “Galentine” get-together with your besties, we’ve gathered some ideas to help you pull off a memorable event.
How to decorate
Your first step in planning a Valentine’s party, Lutkus says, is seeing what you already have in your home that will work for decorations. “Don’t stress about the idea that you have to go out and buy a lot of new things,” she says. “Chances are that you already have a lot of things that will work for your party.”
I’m definitely seeing an increase in interest in Valentine’s Day parties. People want to get together with their friends.”
Courtney Lutkus
Owner, Simply Radiant Events
For example, although red and pink are the traditional colors for Valentine’s, you don’t need to overdo that color scheme. Lutkus says to use red and pink as accents with your white table linens or black furniture.
Similarly, if you choose to decorate withflowersand balloons, you can achieve an elegant look by adding one red one to your bunch of whites. We love thisFields of Europe® Blissbouquet, which features bright red roses and carnations set among white lilies and baby’s breath.
Staying with the flowers theme, rose petals are great for giving a romantic touch to your party décor, Lutkus says. You can sprinkle them on your serving table or even place them inside your ice cube trays before putting them in the freezer.
Depending on the mood you wish to set, litcandlesadd a lovely touch to a nighttime party. Or consider draping some mini-lights to create a warm glow throughout your party area.
What to serve
Decadentchocolate treatsand Valentine’s just seem to go hand in hand. (And we’ve heard that calories from V-Day treats don’t count!) One enticing option Lutkus suggests is renting a chocolate fountain. Other ideas that add beauty and sweet temptation to your party table are lusciouschocolate-covered strawberries or these almost-too-pretty-to-eatpetit fours.
Here are some other ideas for spreading the love on your refreshment table.
- Use this bouquet ofLong Stemmed Buttercream Frosted Cookie Flowersas a centerpiece. We bet it won’t last long.
- Sprinkle an assortment of candy conversation hearts and chocolate kisses in and around your serving dishes.
- Mix up a delicious pink punch of pink lemonade, pineapple juice, and lemon-lime soda, offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Add some of those rose petal ice cubes to make it look extra special. (And once the cubes melt in your drink,you can even eat them!)
- Go wild with heart-shaped treats, such as heart-shaped pizza, heart-shaped finger sandwiches,and heart-shaped cookies and brownies.
- Set out some delicious popcornpacked in bright red tins to keep your guests happily munching.
“Charcuterie boards are very popular,” Lutkus notes. Cut your meats, cheeses, or fruit into heart shapes to add a festive touch. Or offer your guests gourmet snacks on aHeart-Shaped Charcuterie and Cheese Tray.
Valentine’s Day party activities
Just as your decorations can double as your refreshments, your refreshments can serve as your party activities. Here are some ideas for food- and non-food-related fun.
Hot chocolate bar
Allow your guests to create their own hot beverage concoctions. Arrange the fixings (sprinkles, marshmallows, crushed peppermints, whipped cream, etc.) in colorful containers, and you’ve got a fun focal point and party activity in one fell swoop.
DIY cupcakes or cookies
You: Prebake some yummy red velvet cupcakes or heart-shaped sugar cookies. Your guests: Frost and decorate said teats. Everyone: Enjoy! (ThisCut-out Cookie Dough and Buttercream Frosting Setis a great way to get started.)
Cookie swap
This idea works well at Christmastime, so why not continue the fun in February? (Apparently, there’s a day that combines the two holidays.) Ask each guest to bring at least a dozen of their favorite Valentine’s cookies, and then have them trade for the ones they fancy. You could also use this idea for candy or brownies.
Mystery crush
This activity is modeled after the White Elephant game. Invite guests to bring a wrapped Valentine-themed gift. (You can set a dollar limit if you like.) Then, each person gets to choose the mystery gift of their choice. Steals are allowed!
Flower arranging
Lutkus says flower arranging can be part of the fun. too. Give each guest a vase, an assortment of flowers, and some expert instruction on flower arranging. The results can serve as gorgeous party decorations, and, when the party’s over, guests can take the fruit of their labors home with them. A twist on this idea is to make heart-shaped wreaths of flowers instead of bouquets.
Photo booth
A Valentine’s photo booth is an enjoyable party activity as well as an attractive focal point. A solid white or red background accented with balloons and paper heart garlands of contrasting colors will really make the photos pop. If you use an instant camera, your friends can take their photos home as a keepsake.
And don’t forget goodie bags! They’re not just for kids, you know.
Some of the ideas we’ve already suggested work well as favors. Here are some others.
- Fill small red bags with assortedcandies,nuts, dried fruit,chocolates, and other small treats.
- Send each guest home with an individually wrapped hand-dippedValentine’s Day Crispy Rice Bite.
- Show gratitude to your friends for coming to your party with a Cards With Pop box of popcorn.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I can provide information and insights on a wide range of topics, including event planning and Valentine's Day parties. I have access to a vast amount of information from various sources, which allows me to provide accurate and up-to-date information.
In this article, the author discusses ideas for planning and hosting a memorable Valentine's Day party. They provide suggestions for decorations, food and drink options, and party activities. Let's go through each concept mentioned in the article and provide more information on them.
Decorating for a Valentine's Party
The article suggests using what you already have in your home for decorations, rather than buying new items. It recommends using red and pink as accents with white table linens or black furniture. Additionally, flowers, balloons, and candles can add a romantic touch to the party decor. Rose petals can be used to sprinkle on the serving table or frozen in ice cubes for a unique touch .
Food and Drink Options
Decadent chocolate treats are a popular choice for Valentine's Day parties. The article suggests renting a chocolate fountain or serving chocolate-covered strawberries and petit fours. Other ideas include serving a pink punch made with pink lemonade, pineapple juice, and lemon-lime soda, as well as heart-shaped treats like pizza, finger sandwiches, cookies, and brownies. Charcuterie boards are also mentioned as a popular option, and you can cut meats, cheeses, or fruit into heart shapes to add a festive touch.
Party Activities
The article provides several ideas for party activities. One suggestion is to set up a hot chocolate bar where guests can create their own hot beverage concoctions using various toppings and flavors. Another idea is to have a DIY cupcake or cookie station where guests can frost and decorate their own treats. A cookie swap, similar to a Christmas cookie exchange, can also be a fun activity where guests bring their favorite Valentine's cookies to trade with others. Flower arranging can be another activity, where guests are provided with vases, flowers, and expert instruction on arranging them. Finally, setting up a Valentine's photo booth with a themed background and props can be an enjoyable activity and a great way to capture memories.
Goodie Bags and Favors
The article suggests sending guests home with goodie bags or favors. Some ideas for favors include small bags filled with assorted candies, nuts, dried fruit, chocolates, or individually wrapped hand-dipped Valentine's Day Crispy Rice Bites. Another suggestion is to show gratitude to your friends for attending the party by giving them a Cards With Pop box of popcorn.
I hope this information helps you plan a memorable Valentine's Day party! Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with.
