Make it a Memorable Valentine’s Day – – at Home

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and whether you are celebrating with the love of your life, with your family, friends, or even your pet, you can have the perfect party – at home.

You can make Valentine’s Day (or night) epic by exercising your creative muscle. Don’t worry if you’re out of practice. Here are a couple of ideas you can claim were your own. Best of all, they keep your budget in mind without cutting corners on fun.

Memories are made when the gestures and actions come from the heart.

Movie night

Invite your significant other and/or your family members to rent or download a movie. Don’t tell each other what you picked. It doesn’t have to be a love story – just something you love to watch. Set the rule no one can judge or criticize the movie choices.

Pop huge batches of popcorn and set up a popcorn station where you and your loved ones can flavor their popcorn with whatever they want – candy, butter, salt, caramel, melted marshmallow fluff.

Fill a bucket with ice and have a selection of unique beverages on hand. Once all the popcorn bowls are made and drinks are chosen, share your creations with each other.

Then, turn off the lights and let the fun begin. Enjoy a night of exploring old favorites or some new movies you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

Think small

Is your favorite part of any party the bite-sized appetizers and fun drinks? Why not plan a night of nothing but hand-held foods and small bites? Make it a cocktail party for two, in your own living room.

Brainstorm all your favorite appetizers and make a grocery list so you can hit the store before the big night. Don’t limit yourself to only appetizer-type foods though. Just about anything that can be downsized.

For your celebration, set up several appetizer stations on the counter or dining room table and put out enough for everyone to take one or two of each appetizer. This saves on food waste and gives you some leftover to nosh on later.

Don’t lay out your whole spread to start. Several times during the night, switch out the appetizers with different things to keep it interesting.

On a separate table or counter, have a “get creative” drink bar. Place bottles of seltzer, soft drinks, juice, and alcohol if desired along with garnishments. Flavored salts and sugars for glass rims. Maraschino cherries. Raspberries, lemon slices, lime slices, orange wedges, etc. Inspire your guests to create, and show off, their own signature cocktail or mocktail.

Here’s one idea to get you and your guests thinking – Raspberry chocolate kiss martini.

Create your own spa

               Check around the house for candles, lotions and smell-good accents before heading to the store for spa items. Then, light the candles, line up the massage oil and get the facial scrubs out for your intimate night of pampering for you and your honey.

Surprise your partner with a back run or foot massage. Don’t know how to do it – YouTube is your friend.

Don’t limit yourself to just a back rub. Make it a full-on spa treatment with facials, manicures and pedicure – yes, guys, you can do this too.

Or, make it a family affair and include the kids – or grandpa, too!

Make sure everyone is ok with the scents before starting and no one has allergies to any of the products. Then, relax and enjoy each other’s company.