Today, I’m sharing a variety of heartwarming Valentines Day ideas that celebrate love and friendship.
It’s taken me awhile to get back to blogging while regrouping after Christmas, doing physical therapy twice daily, slowly resuming normal activities, and trying to catch up on household chores.
After revisiting Favorite, Most Popular Posts of 2020, I was looking forward to the new year with hope and promise.
But then, the violence and attack on our democracy Jan 6th shattered that view. It felt like a nightmare instead of reality, and undermined any sense of optimism for 2021. I was horrified, scared, deeply depressed and angry. How about you? A sense of paralysis set in for several weeks, with no motivation to do anything that wasn’t necessary — until the inauguration helped to lift my spirits.
And like song says, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.” Now more than ever! So join me friends, for a roundup of Valentines Day ideas, along with a few new ways to celebrate love and friendship.
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Celebrate Love & Friendship
I’ve gathered together a broad collection of Valentines Day ideas that I use in my own home to celebrate and personalize the sweet February holiday.
Set the Table
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, celebrating with the kids, or having an intimate evening for two, nothing sets the scene better than a sweet or romantic table setting.
In, Meet Me at the Eiffel Tower Table Valentine, I embraced my French ancestry and shared memories of two dinners at the Paris landmark. It was a dramatic use of black and white with red accents.
An earlier, similar version of the table — using the same dishes — was entitled, If You Love Me Take Me to Paris. Mr. Buzz must love me, because we’ve been there twice.
Another casual place setting using the same color scheme featured heart-shape plates and matching mugs.
For an elegant dinner party, I paired red accents with gold, china and crystal tableware in Decorating with Red Heart Ornaments for Valentines Day.
Since first publishing this post, I also styled a Puttin’ on the Ritz for Romantic Table using whimsical plates.
Galentine Gathering
Previously my everyday dishes, the Mikassa Silk Flowers pattern is perfect for a sweet tea party with the ladies.
In, A Valentines Day Tea Party with Friends, I served champagne cocktails, strawberry mousse and decadent cupcakes. For other classic options, see Tea Party Menu: Scones & Desserts and Finger Sandwiches & Savories.
An In the Pink Valentines Day Table uses the same plates and heart shape ramekins, but has a different theme styling.
It incorporates Scottie dog figures into the centerpiece, fabulous pink hobnail glasses, and an easy rose-shape napkin fold.
Easy, Inexpensive Stylings
If you don’t have specialty or red or pink tableware, a Valentine’s theme napkin fold is an easy way to decorate the table. All you need invest in is red or prink fabric napkins that are also easy to store.
This year, I’ll be setting an intimate table for just Mr. Buzz and I. A new Valentines Day table setting will include folding the napkins into a heart shape.
I tried the trio of techniques shown in, 3 Ways to Fold a Heart Napkin. Must admit, I struggled a bit to grasp the final step to round the upper edges of the heart (pictured above) in first method. The third technique was easier to follow and achieve a similar look.
Third time, or method, was the charm though! I not only found the steps easier to replicate, but much preferred the more soft, draped look of the second heart shape fold. See my fully-illustrated, five-step tutorial, Fold a Heart-Shape Napkin for Valentines Day.
Check out, Napkin Folds for All Seasons, Holidays & Occasions for even more ideas.
And, there’s nothing wrong with using paper or plastic products to style a table either — plates, napkins, doilies, placemats, flatware, cups or “glasses,” and tablecloths. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to decorate with a Valentines theme. They work particularly well for families with young children, or if hosting a large gathering and serving buffet style.
Plus, they make for an easy cleanup and require no long term storage.
Decorate Overhead Too
Regular readers know how often I “go vertical” when setting tables — decorating the chandelier as an extension of, or replacement for a centerpiece.
In the dinning room, I decorate the brass fixture by first draping a faux green garland on the lower tier. Then, I simply loop heart ornaments and mini wreaths over the sculptural elements of the chandelier. It takes all of 10-15 minutes.
Just remember to do it before setting the table, lol!
I use similar Valentines Day ornaments to dangle from the grey chandelier in the kitchen. It’s an easy way to quickly decorate the house with a lot of visual impact.
Another option would be to use only pink elements, or mix the two colors together. You could also add inexpensive garlands with silk roses to the chandelier for more holiday color.
And, use extra ornaments to decorate the table as Valentine favors for guests. A sweet gift!
Easy Valentines Day Decor
In addition to decorating a chandelier or light fixture for Valentines Day, hanging a wreath on a door, wall, or over the mantle is quick and easy to do. That’s especially true if using a store-bought wreath or one crafted previously.
This trio of heart-shaped wreaths are hung on a set of corner kitchen cabinets with wide grosgrain ribbon. To hold the ribbons in place, I use painter’s tape on the back of the doors. See more ideas at Decorating with Red Heart Ornaments for Valentines Day.
I do something similar at Christmastime, but with oversized Christmas Cookie Cutters. You could do the same with giant heart or cupid shape cutters.
Craft a Wreath
Another idea is to craft your own decorations, like this heart-shaped DIY Let Me Call You Sweetheart Wreath. It’s lightweight and made in just five steps.
All three of the wreaths I made feature dramatic black and white pattern ribbons, which work well on either the front door or with the black decor elements in my Remodeled Kitchen Design.
For a quick and easy option, consider making your own version of the Queen of Hearts Roses and Teacup Grapevine Wreath. Depending on where you wish to hang the wreath, a potential downsize is it’s weight.
My personal favorite is the Fanciful Alice in Wonderland Theme Wreath originally made as a theme party decoration. But like the grapevine wreath, the roses and hearts makes it perfectly suitable as Valentines Day decor.
Its base is a round metal frame covered with mesh and ribbons. What makes it a bit more involved, is locating or crafting some of the embellishments that represent elements from the story.
Another party decoration holdover I now put on the mantle for Valentines Day, is the Queen of Hearts herself. She was originally one of three figures I made as table centerpieces for the event. See how I constructed her majesty, Alice and the Mad Hatter in, Creating Alice in Wonderland Character Dolls.
Last year, I used her majesty as the centerpiece in, Romance & Red Roses Reign on Sweetheart Table.
Personalized Valentines Day Ideas
If you aren’t inspired to craft you own Valentines Day decorations, consider using those heartwarming cards and art made by you kids or grandchildren. Simply hang them on the refrigerator or a bulletin board.
Or, consider How to Create a Kid Keepsakes Gallery where I rotate the boys’ art seasonally.
Come mid January, I update the gallery wall with art and cards my sons created for both Valentines and Presidents Day. See the Lincoln Penny?
Since both holidays usually fall within the same week — if not a day or two apart— you might want to considering decor and table settings for both occasions.
Check out Fun & Easy Ways to Celebrate Presidents Day and Set a Presidents Day Table with Liberty Blue for ideas.
I also pull out photographs of both boys dressed as George Washington and Abe Lincoln from when they were in elementary school. How sweet is that?
Use Photographs to Decorate
Using your own photographs is another super easy way to decorate for Valentines Day and personalize the holiday!
First, I pull out our wedding album and place on the living room coffee table. That insures we peruse it at least once a year. Then, I rotate and arrange wedding and favorite couple photographs of Mr. Buzz and I, along with our parents and other relatives.
A favorite, is this one of my parents at their senior prom. Mom is wearing a dress made for her by my grandmother.
Others are vintage wedding portraits of great grandparents that I treasure. Below is hubby’s grandmother. Don’t you love the dress and veil?
The portrait itself is sealed inside the frame. Because of glare from the curved, domed glass, I had to set it on the table to photograph. Sorry it’s still a bit distorted here.
Some pictures are from grand trips we took around the world, whether on a Greek or Galapagos Island Cruise, exploring Iceland, or skiing in Breathtaking Breckenridge or Terrific Telluride, Colorado .
Like when we celebrated our anniversary in Honolulu. We renewed our vows in a traditional, Hawaiian sunrise ceremony. It was so romantic and is a wonderful memory!
Puppy Love
Finally, another kind of love and affection to celebrate on Valentines Day is for our furry friends. Perhaps by giving them a new chew or puzzle toy?
Sweet Scottie Dog: My Fuzzy Funny Valentine describes the loving relationship and connection I had with Fibber MacGee. At the time, he had just returned home from major emergency surgery to have his gallbladder removed. Fibber recovered, and filled our home with his feisty, funny and outsized personality for another 10 months.
Photo courtesy of Jacqueline Wise, breeder
Last year, I was without a fuzzy, funny Valentine. But there will be a new Scottie puppy in our home to celebrate the holiday. On the anniversary of my beloved Fibber’s passing, a litter of Scotties was born in nearby Ohio at Wise’s Scottish Terriers. I get first pick of one of these two adorable male, brindle color coat puppies!
Since it’s proven impossible to choose based on pictures alone, I’m going to follow the advice of Kay, a reader who is mom to her own pair of Scotties — “let the puppy choose you.” Sage advice don’t you think? Read how I am Preparing for a Puppy: Favorite Dog Supplies & Toys.
It will certainly be sweet celebrating this year with another fuzzy, funny Valentine.
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I just love love love that first Eiffel tower table! I haven’t given much though to valentine’s day yet.. I ordered some specialty chocolates for my boys and husband and I know I want to make them each a card but that’s about as far as I’ve gotten..
Perhaps you’re partial to that table Joanne, since it evokes happy memories of your time in France? Nothing is more important in preparing for VD than chocolate, lol! Hubby is an absolute chocaholic so I’ve got some already stashed away. And, what is more loving than a homemade card? Why didn’t I think of that? After all, I’ve been in search of something to craft. I
I love the senior prom photo of your parents. They were such an adorable couple!
Ahh thanks Lauren! They were high school sweethearts who broke up for several years before marrying. Dad passed away a month before what would have been their 62nd anniversary (before the pandemic). Yesterday, mom got her vaccine, which the entire family is thrilled about.
Valentine’s Day will bring a delightful occasion to decorate with hearts and roses. Your tablescapes have provided ideas to begin the decorating process as I enjoy a black and red color combination. This year however it will be pastel pink, creamy white and sage greens as the focal point is a frosted 8 foot tree decorated with glass hearts, roses and small birds. A bottle of pink bubbly will certainly figure in to a romantic dinner for hubby and I. So looking forward to seeing the new puppy added to your household — there is a little bundle of love to be certain!
Oh Alayne those colors sound beautiful together (sage green is one of my favorites!), especially against the backdrop of your pretty tree! So creative! We might be a little under siege with a 9 1/2 week puppy underfoot, but cannot wait! Puppy love is our household’s unofficial theme this Valentines, lol!
Such beautiful romantic and fun decor. For me it is my daughter’s birthday. We have always decorated for both. On her 40th I filled her yard and indoor staircase with giant red hearts to surprise her. Next year for her 50th I will have to do something spectacular. Any suggestions?
Glad to hear you are feeling better physically and emotionally. I missed the buzz. Love, Auntie
I’ve miss you! When we finally dog get together, I’d love to see pix from J’s 40th — sounds stunning! Would love to put our heads together to plan for next year (can’t believe my beautiful cousin will be 50). What about a Parisian theme in black and white with red hearts (I have the Eiffel Tower lol!)? Romantic French music and wine-food-desserts? Fits with our heritage too oh la la! P.S. Mom got her first vaccine shot yesterday, just in time for her birthday — a great relief. Love you right back!
Deebee, I was just thinking about you and wondering how you were. And of course, wondering when the puppy is arriving.
I love the hearts with the rosette and those French plates. Tell Mr Buzz, the chocoholic, I love frozen chocolate. Andes makes a cherry Andes I have to hoard at Christmas.
Trying to get back into creative pursuits, including crafting and blogging. Will share a new Valentines table next week. Cherry Andes?!! I immediate went on Amazon and ordered hubby some. Never heard of them before — thanks for the sweet treat idea! Just hope I don’t eat them all first lol!
What an adorable way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with all the “In love” photos of your family! Your Mom and Dad were so beautiful/handsome! I’m always in awe of your creativity and thinking outside the box! Beautiful table and decorations to boot! Thank you for sharing your inspiration! Hugs, Tee
Thanks so much Tee! I love my collection of vintage family photos. Next year, I’ll have to put together more of what you aptly refer to as “in love” photos. Too busy preparing for my new puppy right now. Most of the time when I seasonally change up framed photos, its of my now grown sons in Easter or Christmas portraits, Halloween costumes, etc. They groan every time they see themselves in matching or coordinating outfits lol!
Your parents are a beautiful pair! I’m so happy for you, Debbee, that you will have a new furry to love again–I know you have missed Fibber terribly. I love all your various Valentine Day lovelies. I want to have hope for our country but, to be really honest, it’s difficult w/ so many throwing caution to the winds; not caring about the FACT that so may have died due to their blatant disregard for the health of others. I also feel angry that these type of individuals are literally controlling the outcome of our economy, are taking such a mental & physical toll on our healthcare workers, and are keeping us so confined to our homes. I feel 2021 is even worse than 2020, with so many more getting ill or dying. It’s very depressing being at the mercy of such people! I don’t generally get on a soap box, but I think it’s beyond time that we take a stand on the fact that the virus doesn’t move; it’s people that move it! That being said, I do (of course) wish for brighter days ahead, but I know wishing never changed anything–change takes effort. Hugs!
I couldn’t agree more Bobbi! A major part of the reason I’ve stepped back from blogging in recent months is because I’ve been so heartsick about the pandemic while feeling like we’re living in a civil war against each other. In many ways, what happened with people trying to undermine the legitimacy of the election and the attack(s) on democracy scares and angers me the most. It feels like there’s no consequences for those on the state and national levels promoting the “big lie” and inciting violence. I just couldn’t publish posts pumping sunshine and acting like it wasn’t getting to me. But, yesterday my mom got her vaccine and today celebrates her 86th birthday. Something to be grateful for.
Dr. Nichols must not love me at all because we’ve never even been to a French restaurant, let alone France ?? !? He’s a meat ? and potatoes ? kinda guy who can’t make his way too far past French fries ? and croissants! ? Nice trip down Memory Lane with your past posts and that neat pic of your parents’ wedding day!
I’m sure he adores you Alycia, but never been to a French restaurant?! Maybe you could lure him with the original and divine pom frites? I love the ambiance and classic foods in a French café. Of course, I have all that oh la la running through my DNA lol! That being said, Italy is very romantic, especially Venice…!
Ha! We will likely never leave these United States of America! That’s OK. I live vicariously through my family members and friends who LOVE to travel. Oh…and he corrected me. Said we indeed HAVE been to TWO French restaurants! I remember now. It’s just been AGES ago! AND I’m a ditz!? Have a safe and relaxing weekend!
You have so many wonderful ideas, Debbee – and congrats on your new puppy. I can’t wait to see who chose you! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
Thank you Ann! I just finished a new sweetheart theme tablescape to share early next week. But the household’s official theme is “puppy love” lol! I can’t wait either!
I love all your decorating ideas Debbee! I absolutely love the chandelier decorated for Valentine’s Day 2021! The table settings with the folded red napkins are awesome too, I love that you were thrifty and made your own! The Paris place setting is perfect too! Thank you, once again my heart is happy and my mind is thinking of clever things to use for Valentine’s Day in my home! Thank you! Karen ?❤️
Karen, your remarks brightened my day — thank you! The best part of blogging is interacting with readers, and knowing something I shared resonated or inspired in some small way. I love when people take the time to comment.
Debbee, I am so glad you will have a new buddy to hug and play around with! They are both cute… You know, you COULD bring both pups home…? One for Hubby, one for you. <3 It'd be a new way watching them play with each other everyday. 🙂 Anyway, loved your Valentine's post and I am happy to feature it at this week's Share Your Style #291 this week. <3 Hope you are enjoying decorating your home for Valentine's Day
Wouldn’t that be nice to have a pair? Most Scottie owners do have multiples. But, all the puppies were sold before they were ever born — there’s still a long wait list. Tomorrow is the big day when Whiskey comes home! Thanks ever so much for featuring 2 of my posts, 2 weeks in a row!
Lovely ideas for Valentine’s Day, Debbee! I especially love the Queen of Hearts decor. I’m right there with you on not being motivated to do much blogging. The horror of Jan 6 weighs heavily on my mind and heart. The inauguration lifted my spirits, too. It’s going to be a slow process of moving forward from the bitterness and the lies that came from the top of our government and permeated through the country. I’m hopeful, but sadly, not particularly optimistic that the country can heal. Great news that your mother received the vaccine!
So nice to hear from you Beverly! We appear to be on the same wavelength. I do admire the way you’ve carried on with crafting and blogging. With no entertaining or even seeing friends, and not shopping for inspiration or supplies, my creativity buzz has fizzled. Plus a lot of my time and energy, until recently, was devoted to PT for my foot. And now that the puppy is home, I am happily (and sleepily lol!) busy caring and training him.
You are absolutely right about Scottie puppies picking you instead of you picking him. At 4 weeks old I first met the litter and this one kept attempting to crawl up in my lap. After numerous times of climbing up and being set back down it was the decision of Oscar when he was 9 weeks old he could come home with me and he’s been here for 6 years so far.
Mary, thanks for sharing you sweet Scottie story about Oscar! Whiskey is now home one week. Because of the pandemic, we didn’t have much time to get acquainted before heading to Pittsburgh. But, he was the most “zen” and immediately settled in my lap like he belonged there. See pix and more at, Preparing for a Puppy: Favorite Dog Supplies & Toys.
Debbee, I love all the ideas for making Valentine’s Day special, and am featuring you at the next FWF party. Big hug to you, Rachelle
Big hugs right back at you dear Rachelle! So appreciate the feature.
These are such beautiful Valentines decorating ideas. My favorite table setting is the one with the Eiffel Tower dishes. And, I love those gold-tone chargers. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day celebration!
So nice to “meet” you Carol, and I’m delighted you enjoyed my ideas. I’m very partial to anything French, and it’s my fav table setting too.
Such wonderful, beautiful ideas! I am visiting you from Linda’s place.
Thanks! Nice of you to stop by Cheryl.
You always have the best tablescapes! I loved the family photos and that bubble glass is difficult to photograph, but I love those frames too! Pinned
Very kind of you to say Cara, thanks! It’s the time of year I pull out all the old family wedding pictures. So fun to look at everything from Victorian, flapper, 50’s, and other era styles. Of special interest this year, as we have two weddings coming in the spring and late summer. Both the brides plan on wearing the groom’s great-great grandmother’s lavalier necklace on their wedding day — as I and my sisters did.