Today I’m just looking at a few tables for this time of year when thoughts of hearts and flowers are popular. The traditional symbols for the romantic holiday of Valentine are the color red, flowers, chocolate and maybe wine or champagne. But let’s also consider all the other ways the holiday is celebrated. At school, children make crafts with hearts and exchange cards. Friends can get together at any age or stage of life and celebrate their friendships. Hearts are everywhere. Valentine’s dinner could also be a sophisticated setting for a multiple couple dinner or a casual family get-together. Even if you’re not planning a dinner for two with your special someone, let’s think about beautiful table decor for February.
What Kind of Table?
First you must know what kind of Valentine’s celebration you’re hosting – a special twosome, a table for 4, an informal family dinner, or a larger gathering with a Valentine theme.
You can make the table in any style from rustic, cottage, romantic, classic red and white, informal family table with children’s art, all the way to sophisticated modern or industrial minimalist.
How about a simple table for 2 with understated elegance. Can’t stand tacky red Valentine decorations? A few tulips, a bottle of good wine, and a few pops of pink make a pleasing arrangement for an intimate table.
Flowers
Most people think of red roses when they hear Valentine’s Day. Red roses mean “I love you” in the Victorian language of flowers. The price for a dozen premium red roses can be high this time of year, but nearly every supermarket and drugstore has red roses available for varying prices. They may be alone or with white baby’s breath or another white filler
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While red roses symbolize love in Victorian times, did you realize that most plants, herbs, and flowers have centuries-old symbolic meanings that vary according to the culture? The definitions shift depending on the source. During the 19th Century tulips were related to passion. I believe you should choose flowers that mean something to you whether it’s a chrysanthemum (in some historical sources it means I Love You), a tulip, a peony, or roses. A dozen red roses may also be too tall for your centerpiece. I love the heart of flowers below made of small bouquets with the little vases forming a heart in the center of the table.
Personally, I like making a large bouquet of pink and red. Several years ago, I was looking for white baby’s breath to go with red roses and fell in love with luscious pink alstroemeria. The alstroemeria was so full and the red roses were the accents. Then I added several tropical pink hibiscus from the yard. I really loved the look. For two, I would place the vase to one side of the table clearing the sight line between diners.
Although red roses are the traditional Valentine’s flower, I encourage you to think outside the box and play with your flower design. Do you love tulips? A bunch of tulips in a small vase is beautiful and will not cut off your view across the table. How about heart-shaped succulents?
Centerpiece
Adorn a cake with whipped cream and fruit to create a vignette of overindulgence and sweetness.
If February isn’t the best time to find fresh fruit where you live, you can add a few flowers to the cake. Small vases with matching flowers would coordinate the look.
If you don’t have time to bake, at Lemon Thistle there are complete directions on how to makeover a grocery store cake for a naked cake with flowers.
At Inspired By This, complete instructions are given for making sugared rose petals to adorn your Valentine cake.
Perhaps you want to keep it simple with paper hearts, tea, and cupcakes.
Make heart shaped sandwiches by cutting 2 on an angle.
Create a romantic centerpiece with white candles and red berries on a white cake plate.
For those who love to make their decorations, fill the center of the table with paper flowers in soft colors. Stylish Trendy has a great post on paper craft ideas for Valentine’s Day.
From all of these marvelous ideas, we can find so much inspiration for Valentine’s Day and other celebrations. Happy February!
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…festive, but it’s interesting to see non traditional colors used.
I love every image (and much prefer tulips to roses!) But my favorite idea was the menu written in white on the brown paper bag. It looks so right with that setting!
My 2 favorite tables were “paper” tables including the brown paper bag. They are inexpensive, sophisticated and casual all at the same time.
These tables are lovely and very creative.
You’ve provided a nice variety of Valentine’s Day table options. I like the paper hearts on the table idea. The table with cardboard is very unique. Someone had quite a unique imagination creating that table, didn’t they? I’m visiting from The Happy Now. If you are interested, I shared Valentine decor ideas and Valentine printables #52 & 53. Enjoy your week!
I always love pretty decor ideas and prints! Off to visit you. Thanks for coming by!
So many cute ideas! Beyond making my cards I haven’t given much thought to Valentine’s Day yet this year.
I like the romantic, soft, white, candles on the cake plate.
I like the all red table best. – Margy
Some lovely ideas. The simplest tables are more my taste. But love the heart sandwich!
isn’t it fun to make food in cute shapes?
Great ideas!Such beauty!
All cute ideas! Thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 9 where I comment on and share on social media if share option is available, open February 1 to 26.