Easy, Cheap and Elegant Decorating for
Valentines
By Kathy Wilson
So you just got all the holiday
decorations put away (or maybe you didn't!) and here comes another holiday…
Valentines! Never fear, I have some great budget friendly ideas for quick and
easy decorations you can use to dress up any room of your home and show all your
loved ones how much you care!
Dress up your everyday dining area with
heart shaped placemats. Pick up some large red or pink craft foam sheets from
your craft store and trace and cut a large heart shape from each one with a pair
of sharp scissors. Use a gold paint pen and write a one word romantic sentiment
in the center of each one, just like the "message heart" candies of our youth!
Edge the hearts with squiggles and swirls, or perhaps personalize each placemat
with a name of a family member. These will wipe clean with a damp cloth, and add
loving style to each meal!
Pick up four or six silk flowers and a
small roll of wire edged ribbon (white, red, or pink) from your discount store
and tie one flower each to the back of each of your dining chairs. Make the bow
larger than you normally would for drama. The wire edge will allow you to shape
the bow into a full, romantic style. Use leftover ribbon to add some romance to
your front door wreath, your mailbox, or a big bow on the headboard of your bed!
Buy an inexpensive floral bouquet from the
supermarket and spilt it into two or three smaller bunches. Add some evergreen
cuttings from the yard, and display it in pretty creamers, teacups, and bud
vases. Flowers speak of love and family, but it doesn't need to be a $50 bouquet
of roses to add romance to the room!
Take some time to set a romantic table for
that special Valentines Day dinner, not only for that special someone, but for
all the loved ones in your life! You can do this with things you already own!
Layer the table coverings with quilts, tablecloths and placemats. Layer your
dishware as well, with a large plate, saucer, and bowl, and tuck napkins into
your drinking glasses. Don't be afraid to mix and match your dinnerware, it adds
style! Pick up a pack of paper doilies from the dollar shop, and scatter them
across the table. Get the kids in on the day by giving them some red or pink
gift wrap, tissue paper, or construction paper and a couple of paper punches, and
allow them to make confetti to sprinkle over the table!
Lastly, don't forget to add candles to
your Valentines home. They are inexpensive at any discount store or dollar shop,
and can be displayed in groups on old picture frames as trays, or in front of
mirrors to double your romantic style! Drop tealights into teacups or mason
jars, and tie a ribbon around the outside.
Remember, romance is good for the
soul, and it's easy to bring a little of it into our homes to show our love
for those around us!
Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and
editor of The Budget Decorator. For thousands of free budget home
decorating ideas visit her at
http://www.thebudgetdecorator.com