Do you go out to dinner on Valentine's Day? We have done it in the past and have not liked it. Going out on that particular day usually means crowded restaurants and overprized menus. Instead, we just stay at home and I create a cozy table for the two of us.
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This is the time to show my love how much I care for him, not that I don't any other day, but this day I make his favorite dinner or pick up his favorite dinner and I get our favorite desserts from Cheesecake Factory. His is carrot cake and mine is Tiramisu.
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If you have young kids, creating a cozy dinner for two is a bit harder to do, but if you include them in the planning, they are a great help. Here are a few tips for you to hopefully inspire you to do the same.
Get The Kids Involved
Have the kids help you with setting up the table and creating a cozy atmosphere where you will have your dinner. Order pizza for the kids and have it ready for them while your dinner is either being prepared, delivered or picked up. Now you can decide to have your dinner in your bedroom or dining room, either way, include the kids in the planning and create a cozy area just for the two of you. Make sure you add some valentine flair to where the kids are eating too so they don't feel left out of the Valentine celebration.
Create The Atmosphere
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Add some type of cozy lighting. I always keep twinkle lights out after the Christmas holiday for this purpose. And I love having white lights like these here instead of green cord lights...they simply look better and they instantly change the mood of the room.
Add Candles
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Adding candles are also perfect for creating a cozy feel. These pink ones were purchased at Amazon and you can get some here. These are dripless and that's what I love about them, they look good all the time. You can always add simple votives too, just make sure you use odorless candles since you don't want them to compete with the aromas of your dinner. If you want votives instead, here's a source.
Table Setting
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This is the time to use your best linens, plates, napkins....make this table as special as possible for the two of you. Remember that you are creating a special memory so try not to use your everyday items... unless you have to.
I created this tablescape using items I have obtained over time, like the dinnerware, table runner or candlesticks. But here are a few places you can find these items:
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Now don't feel like you have to go and obtain all these items to create a cozy area...these are just sources in case you need them. The silverware here was obtained for $1 each at the flea market and the little saucers were also from there and are great for shells from seafood or pits from olives, etc...These can also be used as a butter dish so if you see them, get a few of them, they really come in handy. I love vintage ones as you can see.
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The white dishes I have had for a while and they were from Home Goods and they have been the best investment I have ever made regarding dinnerware. The silky ribbon I draped over the table runner is one of my favorites and I have used it last year for my Thanksgiving tablescape and now its being used this year for Valentine's table...it is a very versatile ribbon. You can find it here.
Champagne Glasses
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Now, my husband and I do not like champagne, strange but true....and because of it, I did not own any champagne glasses; but I wanted the look of romance in our table and these flutes speak romance to me, somehow. And to be honest, I didn't want to go to the store and buy a set of them when I know we won't use them much...so I went to the goodwill store and found two of them for $1 each and now the look is complete. Yes, complete even with no champagne. White wine works just as good for us.
Adding a Simple Extra Touch
You see those little pink hearts all over the wall, these are just pink post it notes that I cut out to complete the look...now I know my hubby would think this is too mushy but I kinda like them...and I might removed them for our actual dinner so I don't get that look from him, you know, that look.....ha..ha..ha. Also, you can use these posts it notes for the kid's Valentine's Day area.
End It With A Kiss
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I love kisses of any kind, but chocolate kisses are very special to me. And may I say that I always, and I mean always, have a stash somewhere for emergencies....please tell me that you have a stash too. Anywho...I decided the table needed a little something and kisses came to mind, perfect for Valentine's Day. Don't forget to save some for your kids or you'll hear about it later...trust me!
The gold wrapped kisses fit perfectly with my gold and pink motif and I added one of the silver scoops I have and placed the kisses as if the were spilling from it. By the way, the scoop is from here.
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If you notice, the tablescape has the major colors of white, pink, and gold. So the trick here is to use 3 colors and stay with those colors. When you start adding too many colors, it becomes a bit harder to make it work. Now if you notice, I also have silver color added here with the kisses scoop and the silverware, so in reality I have 4 colors. But because they are not the main color of the tablescape, they work. (Once I added the silver kisses scoop, the scoop color did feel out of place, so I added the silver silverware to make it work)
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After the tablescape has been prepared, and dinner prep is finished or delivered, have the kids watch a movie with their pizza while you enjoy a semi-private dinner for two.
Thank you for stopping by and I hope I have inspired you to create a Valentine's tablescape to be enjoyed by you and your loved one.
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Have a wonderful Valentine's Day! May you get many kisses, especially chocolate ones!
Alicia
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