Valentine's Day is definitely a holiday that has evolved with our family and creating a simple Valentine table setting helps set the stage for a family dinner at home. When I think back to when my husband and I were dating, we enjoyed all the celebratory dinners out and mini getaways. Now, our attention has turned to celebrating the day with our children.
We have two kiddos under the age of 10 which means dining out for Valentine's Day can be a challenge. Dinners out on Valentine's Day can be more expensive especially with current food prices rising in the midst of inflation. Add the expense of hiring a sitter on a premium day and it just makes sense for us to stay home. That's not to say there won't be dinners out for a Date Night. But on Valentine's Day, it just makes sense for us to celebrate here at home.
Over the years, we've enjoyed creating a special day at home that celebrates the love we share as a family. As the kids get older, they are starting to become more involved in decorating the house for the holiday. It's really lovely to see. Today, I'm sharing three tips I rely on when it comes to creating a simple Valentine table setting to celebrate the holiday.
Tip #1: Create a Simple and Intentional Table Setting
Simple touches to a Valentine table setting have been a great way to set the stage for a day focused on celebrating Love. Each year, we are slowly adding to our collection of holiday decor while remaining intentional about purchasing items we know we will love and use for a long time.
I like to opt for simple plates and a small bouquet of flowers that can be used for multiple arrangements. I found these alstroemerias at Trader Joe's for $4.99 and they offered the right touch of pink to our floral centerpiece when place in these small Threshold vases.
Tip #2: Create a Valentine Table Setting Using High & Low Items
I am a fan of mixing high and low pieces: both in fashion and in home design and decor. This year, we found these heart shaped plates from Target to tie in the theme of the day. For $3 a plate, it was a major find and a budgetary score! On the high end, we purchased these beautifully crafted linen napkins with embroidered hearts from Huddleson Contemporary Fine Linens, based in San Marino, CA. These are definitely worth the investment in quality linens that our family will use for years to come. The abstract heart print is also stunning in person and really elevates the table setting.
Craft paper is used here as a tablecloth alternative to make it more kid friendly. It can also double as a coloring activity to keep kids engaged while we're prepping dinner.
Anytime I get to use our formal flatware we purchased as a gift to ourselves when we were married 10+ years ago, it feels like a treat. When I set the table up for this photo shoot, my oldest asked me where I had these since he hadn't realized we had them. He then shared how he felt like Valentine's Day would be "extra special because we're using all the fancy fun stuff!" I agree. ❤️
Tip #3: Create Simple Valentine Day DIY Art
One activity that is always near and dear to me is when I get to work with the kids on art projects. Three years ago we made heart garlands. Last year, we colored a big coloring banner and that was our tablecloth. This year, we painted hearts in a variety of acrylic paint shades, cut them out and taped them to the back of the poster we have normally displayed in our dining area. The result: fun and festive art with a side of memory-making magic!
I hope these tips offer helpful inspiration to create a simple Valentine table setting to celebrate this special day. If you're also looking for ideas on what to serve, check out my seasonal recipes for more inspiration.
However you are choosing to celebrate, I hope this Valentine's day envelopes you in abundant Love. ❤️
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