Love is in the air and many are certainly planning for a romantic dinner or getaway to celebrate Valentine’s Day. If you are aiming for something different this year, you can try hosting a Valentine’s party at home. This is a great way to bond with friends and family members – single or otherwise. Here are some suggestions on how to organize a Valentine’s party at home.

Guest List

If most of the people on the list are parents with little kids, consider making the event a family affair. You can set up a kids’ station where they can create Valentine crafts. This will keep them busy and give the grown-ups a chance to mingle and catch up with each other.

If you want an intimate party, keep the list short. Invite your closest friends and encourage them to bring their significant others, if they have one.

Invitations

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on invitations. With a little creativity, you can design your own invites using cheap materials like art paper and colored pencils. You can also make them on the computer and print them out.

Electronic invites are a great way to save time and paper. Ask the guests to RSVP so you can estimate how much food and drinks you need to prepare.

Decorations

Pink and red hearts are staple Valentine’s Day decorations, but feel free to explore other options. If you’re going with a theme, plan your decorations around that. Otherwise, you can try the following:

Paper lanterns

This is an easy DIY project but if you don’t have the time, you can just buy them on-line or at the nearest department store. Hang several of these in your backyard and place smaller ones on the table.

Candles

Without a doubt, candles bring a sense of romance and intimacy. Use votive or tea light candles and scatter them across the house; on side tables, by the stairs or front steps. Make sure that you don’t place them near curtains or flammable materials to avoid accidents.

Paper crafts

Make some heart cut-outs using red, pink, and white art paper and spread them on the dinner table.

Flowers

You don’t need to buy a bunch of flowers to decorate the house. One long-stemmed rose in clear glass vase is enough to make a romantic statement. You can use this as the centrepiece for the dinner table. You can also use flower petals instead of paper cut-outs.

Food and Drinks

It goes without saying that you need to feed your guests. For those who do not have the kitchen skills, you can hire caterers or get some take-out from restaurants. To cut down on costs and time, make it a potluck party. Ask the invitees what they intend to bring so that you don’t end up with three pots of spaghetti and meatballs.

If you have the budget, you may want to consider a buffet table. Include champagne or wine to achieve that romantic mood during the party. You should also prepare non-alcoholic drinks for guests who prefer that.

Activities

For a memorable party, provide fun and engaging after-dinner activities. Here are a couple of ideas:

Movie Night

Select classic romantic movies like Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, or Some Like It Hot. If you want something from the ‘80s, Pretty Woman and Ghost are two of the most popular choices.

Board Games

Truth be Told or The Newlywed Game are two of the most popular board games for Valentine’s Day parties. You can also do trivia games for couples and activities such as races or relays.

Make Valentine’s Day a chance to celebrate love with friends and family. Remember that this day is not just for couples, so don’t forget to invite your single friends!

Kristen Swope is a freelance writer for Backyard Ocean. A romantic at heart, she is excited to host this year’s Valentine’s Party for her girlfriends.