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How to Celebrate Valentine's Day Without Spending Money

  

We hold love in our hearts rather than our hands, and we see it only when we give it to another. Simple, heartfelt gestures are the best way to offer the gift of love.

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need:
    * CD Players
    * Answering Machines
    * Printers
    * Candles
    * Flowers
    * Picnic Basket
    * Wrapping Paper
    * Hershey's Kisses Candy
    * Sparkling Waters
    * Breakfast Tray
    * Romantic Music
    * Construction Paper
    * Fountain Pens
    * Stationery
    * Computers
    * Balloons
    * Candles

Instructions

Show Her You Love Her
Step 1: Leave a note on her pillow, a note on her dressing table mirror, a note on the breakfast table, and a note on her car's steering wheel.

Step 2: Find a classic love poem and write it on the bathroom mirror.

Step 3: Bring her breakfast in bed - with a love note on the tray.

Step 4: Draw a heart on her makeup mirror.

Step 5: Use a can of water-soluble, non-toxic aerosol paint to write a message of love on the grass in your yard.

Step 6: Call her favorite radio station and request a romantic song during the time she drives to work.

Step 7: Change the welcome message on your answering machine to an expression of love.

Step 8: Show up at her workplace, meet her as she takes her break, and whisk her away to a lovely park. Have a picnic lunch, complete with candle and rose.

Step 9: Write her a long letter, one in which you recall the most emotional parts of your romantic history.

Step 10: Print out "I Love You" posters on your computer, put them on your garage door and on light posts around the neighborhood.

Step 11: Ask her to watch the sunset with you - and promise her your love will burn longer than the sun.

Step 12: Open the windows, put her favorite romantic song on the CD player, and invite her to dance under the stars.

Show Him the Romantic Flame Still Burns
Step 1: Put a note on the bathroom mirror promising to share an afternoon delight.

Step 2: Fill his car with balloons, each with an "I Love You" message inside.

Step 3: Find his car at work and leave a note on the steering wheel suggesting a romantic rendezvous. Meet him with drinks and snacks and a love note.

Step 4: Meet him after work wearing your sexiest outfit and tempt him away to lover's lane. Carry along a bottle of sparkling water and a basket of canapés.

Step 5: Leave him a series of notes to follow so that you meet in a romantic place.

Step 6: Leave a trail of paper hearts, each with a loving message, from the front door to the bedroom for him to find as he comes home from work.

Step 7: Cook his favorite dinner and serve it by candlelight.

Step 8: Wrap up your prettiest negligee in a fancy package, complete with a note that promises a romantic evening.

Step 9: Or decorate your bedroom in a theme - tropical island, old West, ancient castle - that appeals to his interests.

Step 10: Light candles in your bedroom and lay out a romantic picnic on your bed.

Step 11: Scatter Hershey's Chocolate Kisses all over the bed.

Valentine's Day Flowers Tips

 

Valentine's Day is the day to celebrate the person you love. Using a bit of creativity and innovation can give the recipient that extra special feeling. It's the little extras involved in the gift-giving that take an ordinary flower exchange to the next level.

Pick Them Yourself
Pick the flowers yourself for a unique flower idea. Find a local flower nursery or greenhouse that allows members of the public to come and pick their own flowers. Leave the dirt or excess growing material on the flowers and do not wrap them in traditional plastic or paper to give them a "just-picked" look. Tie string, rope or ribbon around the center of the stems to finish off the bouquet of flowers. Include a homemade card that expresses what you've done and why. Talk about how the work, the dirt and the ability to choose your own flowers reflects your dedication and commitment to the other person.

Grow Them Yourself
Grow your own flowers. This will take time, preparation and thoughtfulness a few months in advance, especially if you don't live in semi-tropical zones where flowers bloom outside all year.

Buy seeds, plants or bulbs such as tulips for forcing. Plant the flowers either in your house or outside, depending on your location's conditions. Take photographs of the process it takes to grow the flowers. Give the flowers to your loved one on Valentine's Day with an explanation and photo-book showing the time and dedication you put into growing your own.

Roses Alternatives
Color coordinate the flowers and the gift you're giving or your lover's favorite color. You can still incorporate roses into the flower arrangement but use them more to complement than the focus. Explore your options with flowers and venture out on a limb to use exotic flowers that are big, bright and make a statement. Although exotic flowers aren't typically used during Valentine's Day, they can make a lasting impression. 

How to Hold a Valentines Day Scavenger Hunt

 

Whether it is for your lover or for your favorite kids, a scavenger hunt is a favorite Valentines Day tradition. There are lots of different ways you can make it memorable. Here are some easy ways to do just that this February 14th.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need:
    * Suitable location for the scavenger hunt
    * Theme for the scavenger hunt
    * Items to match the hunt's theme
    * List of items
    * Computer to draw up the list
    * Printer
    * Prize for the winner

Instructions
Step 1: Pick a place to have your scavenger hunt. If the weather is cold, you will have to confine it to a home or other indoor site. If you are blessed by a warm climate, a park or other outside location works well.

Step 2: Determine if you will make it challenging or easy. Easy is better for little kids so that they won't get too frustrated gathering the articles on the scavenger hunt list.

Step 3: Decide on a theme for your Valentine scavenger hunt. You might consider "things Cupid lost," things that are pink or red or things that are heart-shaped. Part of a romantic couple? Choose a more adult theme suitable for your relationship.

Step 4: Select items for the hunt. Make sure they tie into your theme. Buy the items ahead of time if you do not already have them on hand. Anywhere from seven to ten items is a good number if you have only one "hunter;" up to twenty is good for more people.

Step 5: Print up a list so the hunter(s) know what to look for. You can make a list of the items for smaller children or give clues for older kids and adults.

Step 6: Award a prize to the person who gathered the most correct items if there is more than one contestant. It could be a Valentine-themed stuffed animal, sparkling wine or cider, candy or another special, romantic prize.

Valentine Placemats for Kids to Make

 

Children enjoy setting the table when their own placemats are part of the place setting. It is easy for children to create their own placemats, and only requires a little help from an adult. Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity for a placemat project. Kids and parents alike will get satisfaction from a table decorated with creativity and love.

Laminated Placemats
Gather a variety of colored papers appropriate to the holiday. Scrapbooking paper, construction paper and colored card stock are all good choices. Use a piece of paper the size you want the placemat to be for the base. Let the kids go crazy cutting out hearts. Show the children how to glue the hearts to the paper using only a little bit of glue, as the finished product should be free from lumps. Encourage drawing, as well. Children can use a variety of colorful pens, markers and crayons to decorate the placemats. Don't overlook glitter pens, which will add a fun bit of sparkle to the finished product.

Take the completed placemats to an office supply store and request lamination services. Teacher supply stores also offer this service. At Staples, lamination costs two dollars per square foot. After the placemats have been laminated, cut them out, leaving a ¼ inch border around the children's artwork so that the laminate won't peel apart.

Fleece Placemats
Fleece is an ideal fabric for children to work with, as it is soft and doesn't fray. It is also washable, making it a good choice for placemats. Buy two colors of fleece. Red, pink, purple and white are good colors for Valentine's Day decorations. Cut a 17 inch by 13 inch rectangle out of the color that the kids want to use for the main part of the placement.

Let children draw a large heart on the contrasting piece of fleece. Tailor's chalk works well for drawing on fabric, and is not permanent. The heart should not be larger than the rectangular piece of fleece. Instruct the children to carefully cut out the heart that they have drawn.

Pin the heart to the center of the rectangle. Show the kids how to use a blanket stitch to sew the heart onto the rectangular fabric using a contrasting color of embroidery thread. If the heart is red, try a white or pink thread. If you are not sure how to do a blanket stitch, see the tutorial in the resource section. You may want to teach younger children to do a simple running stitch instead.

After the heart has been sewn on the fabric, show the kids how to cut a ½ inch fringe all the way around the placemat. The result will be a colorful, festive placemat that the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extensive Service assures us can survive the washing machine. Dry on low, and don't iron.
 

How to Make Valentine Decorations Out of a Deck of Cards

 

Tradition dictates sending Valentine's Day cards, but let's think outside the box. Transform a simple deck of cards into a stunning wall hanging that celebrates Valentine's Day and the people you love the most. These wall hangings, which make memorable gifts for grandparents, parents and friends, can be left up year-round.

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need:
    * Deck of cards, any size
    * Cardstock, decorative paper or wrapping paper
    * Scissors
    * Adhesive
    * Nail file
    * Photographs of loved ones (including pets)
    * Stickers
    * Markers
    * Embellishments
    * Hole punch
    * Yarn, string or ribbon

Instructions
Step 1: Cut cardstock, decorative paper or wrapping paper to cover the front of each card; adhere it in place. For a distressed look, use sandpaper or a nail file to rough up the cards' edges.

Step 2: Trim your photos to fit your design. For extra pop, mat them with cardstock before adhering them to the cards. Use one photo per card. The photos can hang over the sides, be centered, fill the whole card, or be placed at an angle.

Step 3: On the first card, affix a big letter L sticker to start the word love. Handwrite the family member's name in small print away from the L. Continue making cards until you spell out LOVE. If you have more than four family members, decorate the other cards with heart stickers.

Step 4: Finish your cards with embellishments such as paint, stamps, chipboard shapes or even feathers. Let your imagination be your guide.

Step 5: To hang the cards vertically as one unit, punch holes on the top and bottom of each card and attach them to each other with ribbon, yarn or string. For a horizontal presentation, punch a hole on the top and hang them separately in a row.

Tips & Warnings
* To create a mobile, decorate both sides of the cards and tie them on a hanger or to two pieces of wire tied together in a T shape. Decorate cards that spell out Happy Valentine's Day. Adhere each card to a thick ribbon to make a banner.
   
* You may find yourself creating these wall hangings for every occasion.
 

How to Make Easy Valentine's Centerpieces

 

If you want to create a simple Valentine's Day centerpiece, then try making one with a heart-shaped basket. Many Valentine's Day items such as hearts, flowers and candies go on sale as the holiday approaches. You can purchase all of the required materials at your local craft store without having to spend a lot of money. Make your own Valentine's Day centerpiece that will impress your guests with an edible centerpiece floral arrangement.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need:
    * Heart-shaped basket (at least 4 inches deep)
    * Cardboard
    * Floral foam
    * Marker
    * Hot glue
    * Faux roses (red and pink)
    * Wooden skewers
    * Chocolate pieces

Instructions
Step 1: Cut a piece of floral foam in the shape of a heart. Place the heart-shaped basket on the foam, and use a marker to trace the shape of the basket.

Step 2: Trace the floral foam onto a piece of cardboard. Cut the heart-shape out from the cardboard. Apply hot glue to the floral foam. Glue the floral foam onto the cardboard that will line the basket. This will secure the foam in place without letting the glue leak thorough the basket. Place the floral foam with the cardboard backing into the heart-shaped basket.

Step 3: Cut the ends off the faux roses. The roses need to be even with the height of the basket.

Step 4: Outline the heart shape with the red roses. Fill in the heart by inserting the pink faux roses in the center of the heart filling in the rest of the floral foam heart. Place the flowers close together to avoid allowing the foam to show through the roses. The number of roses you will need depends on the size and depth of your heart-shaped basket.

Step 5: Cut the wood skewers. They need to be 1 to 2 inches taller than the roses. Place these skewers sporadically throughout the floral foam.

Step 6: Push the chocolate pieces onto the skewers. Fill each skewer with chocolate pieces, but do not allow the skewer to go completely through the last chocolate piece.

Step 7: Keep the centerpieces in a cool environment. Place the centerpiece of the table. Now you have a beautiful and edible Valentine's Day centerpiece.

Tips & Warnings
* You can replace the faux roses with real roses. Line the basket with plastic instead of cardboard, and soak the floral foam in water before adding the roses.
 

How to Decorate Your Table for Valentine's Day

 

Whether you are planning a Valentine's party or just want to get your house dressed up for the occasion, decorating your table is an essential step in getting ready for this romantic holiday. Keep it simple by choosing one of the following table ideas.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need:
    * Ribbons
    * Valentine Confettis
    * Valentine's Day Greeting Cards
    * Candleholders
    * Candles
    * Fabrics
    * Fresh Or Silk Roses
    * Vases
    * Votive Candleholders
    * Votive Candles
    * Hershey's Kisses Candy
    * Candy Conversation Hearts
    * Foil-wrapped Candy Hearts
    * Strings Of Fake Pearls
    * Napkin Rings
    * Napkins
    * Tablecloths
    * Napkins
    * Candles

Instructions
Step 1: Decide on a tablecloth first. You don't need to buy a heart-covered tablecloth. A simple lace one will do, or try a plain pink or flowered tablecloth.

Step 2: Purchase a dozen pink or red roses and display them in a crystal vase in the center of the table. Arrange some strings of decorative imitation pearls in swirls around the vase. Place two tall pink candles on either side of the flowers. Set one foil-wrapped heart candy on each plate and tie the napkins with ribbon.

Step 3: Sew Valentine-colored cloth into hearts of different shapes. Stuff the hearts with batting and arrange them in a bowl or basket in the center of the table. Place napkins in simple napkin rings and place a real or silk rose through the holder as well. Set a small Cupid figurine near each plate. Scatter Hershey's kisses around the table.

Step 4: Make several Valentine cards and stand them up in the center of the table. You could also use Valentines created by your children or Valentines that have been given to you. Sprinkle Valentine confetti (shiny little different-colored hearts or Cupids) around and among the cards. Place one small rosebud in a tiny vase or one votive candle in a pink or red votive holder next to each plate.

Step 5: Use your imagination to design your own table. Swaths of lace, tulle, pieces of ribbons, conversation heart candies, paper hearts, lace doilies and any other romantic or frilly objects you happen to have can be added to your table to create a Valentine effect.
 

 

A Valentine's Day box can be filled with little trinkets to express your affection or some chocolates to satisfy your loved one's sweet tooth. Take time to decorate a box this Valentine's Day.

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need:
    * Valentine's Day box
    * Paint
    * Glitter
    * Glue
    * Paper
    * Markers
    * Beads
    * Ribbons
    * Shells
    * Sponge cutouts
    * Tile
    * Mirror

Instructions
Step 1: Choose a Valentine's Day box. Traditionally, these boxes are made from pressboard and are in the shape of a heart. However, any box of any shape can be made into a Valentine's Day box.

Step 2: Paint your box. Most pressboard boxes aren't pretty on their own, but a coat of paint can make a difference. Choose shades of red, white and pink to create a Valentine's Day theme. Consider using sponge cutouts to create designs on the box in a different color of paint.

Step 3: Add decorations to the outside of your box. If you prefer not to paint it, try gluing on shells or heart beads instead. If you want a more picturesque box, add a picture of you and your loved one on top of the box. Frame it by gluing down the edges of a ribbon, while leaving enough room for the photo.

Step 4: Decorate the inside of the box. This can be as simple as painting the inside a bright color and gluing in a mirror, to as complicated as creating a tile mosaic to represent your love. No matter what you choose, the recipient will be thrilled that you took the time to make the whole box pretty.

Step 5: Glue a piece of paper with a Valentine's Day message somewhere on the box. Decorate your Valentine's Day box with mementos of your relationship. Include a ticket stub from your first concert or the paper napkin you used to ask her out on a date.

Tips & Warnings
* Do not use a glue stick to affix decorations on pressboard boxes. The glue has a tendency to slip off the box more easily. Choose a white liquid glue instead.

 

How to Cut Paper Heart Chains

 

Paper heart chains are a fun and colorful way to decorate for Valentine's Day and quick and easy for children to create.

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need:
    * Construction paper
    * Scissors
    * Pencil or marker

Instructions
Step 1: Fold the paper back and forth evenly like an accordion or fan.
   
Step 2: Turn the paper so that you are looking at it the long way.

Step 3: Draw half a heart on the paper from the top left corner to the bottom left corner. Be sure the heart touches both sides of the paper.

Step 4: Cut the heart beginning with the bottom, or pointed end. Be sure not to cut through the paper on a small area of the rounded top part of the heart. This holds the chain together.

Step 5: Unfold the paper and you will have a chain of hearts.

Tips & Warnings
* For a longer chain, tape or glue the chains together.
* If using sharp, pointed scissors, let an adult do the cutting.
 

Raspberry-Chocolate Cups

 

Servings:  12
Preparation Time:  35 min
Cooking Time:  2 min
Level of Difficulty:  Moderate
 
Ingredients:
6 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips  
3 Tbsp Smucker's Seedless Red Raspberry Jam, or similar product  

Instructions:
Place chocolate chips in a small microwavable bowl and microwave on high, stirring every 15 seconds, until chocolate is melted and smooth, about 1 minute.

Spoon 3/4 teaspoon of melted chocolate into a small foil candy cup (1-inch wide by 3/4-inch high). Use a small flat paint brush to spread chocolate evenly over bottom and up sides. Repeat with remaining cups, place them on a plate and refrigerate for 3 minutes or until chocolate is firm.

Spoon 3/4 teaspoon of jam into each chocolate-lined cup. Tap bottom of each cup on counter to settle jam.

Reheat remaining melted chocolate in microwave, stirring every 10 seconds, until chocolate is completely smooth. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of melted chocolate over top of jam in a foil cup. Use brush to spread chocolate to sides so that it seals in jam. Repeat with remaining 11 foil cups.

Refrigerate 3 minutes or until chocolate is firm, or allow chocolate to firm up at room temperature, about 3 hours.

Yields 1 candy per serving.

Notes:
Look for foil candy cups at stores that sell bakeware and kitchen gadgets.