Valentine's Day decorations gained a boost when Esther Howland began producing her own handmade Valentine's Day cards for sale in the 1840s. Her decorative cards used lace to trim the delicate heart shapes. This style of decorating homemade cards exists in the modern day schoolroom where children cut out red and pink hearts, layering them together and trimming it all in lace. The delicate decorations are perfect for cards, windows and walls.
The biggest part of decorating for Valentine's Day is setting the mood. Balloons are very typically found at parties and other festive occasions. Red balloons, heart-shaped balloons, balloons with red and pink hearts on them and balloons with popular sayings like: "Be mine," "My valentine" or "I heart you" are all popular decorations that add that festive touch. The balloons can be pumped up with helium or if they are of the foil kind, used as a wall decoration without being filled. Streamers add to the balloons like a touch of lace around a heart. A mixture of reds and pinks can dress up a classroom, living room or office.
Children who don't want to decorate with hearts can decorate in flowers. Candy flowers are popular Valentine's Day decorations and gifts. Other flower themed decorations can be decorative flowers with a child's face in the center. Daisies and roses compete for popular flower themed cards; the petals of a daisy are easy to cut out of construction paper and can be done in red, white, pink or all the colors of the rainbow. Check out local florists for flower petals to add a fun touch of the real thing. Silk flower petals can be pretty pricey, but florists can sell discarded petals fairly cheap.
For adults, Valentine's Day decorations take on a more romantic and passionate feel. Red tablecloths, white napkins and rose petals with some taper candles ca decorate an intimate meal for two. Decorate a bedroom with some more candles (tapers and fatter candles), actual roses, a box of chocolates or chocolate covered strawberries to set a romantic scene. For the couple who lives alone, a trail of rose petals from the front door to the table or bedroom may be a bit over the top, but still very attractive.
Valentine's Day decorations can represent passion, desire, mystery and romance without the frothier elements of love, kisses and hearts. The decorations can also be simple and sweet. Flowers, chocolates and hearts are all a part of the Valentine's Day mystique. So whether creating a decorative card, planning a fun party or setting a romantic scene, remember that love is the key ingredient in any set of decorations.
