Shortcuts to a Romantic Valentine’s Day

9 easy ideas―from Valentine's Day gift ideas to simple sweet treats―for spicing up the holiday.

 

Make Valentines from Household Supplies

Paint samples, playing cards, sponges, sugar packets, matches are all taking up space in your kitchen and desk drawers. Think of them as an inexhaustible stock of Valentine-card-making props. Dead AAA batteries ("I get a charge out of you"), old lollipops ("I'm a sucker for you"), stray keys ("the key to my heart"). 

Sit yourself down and grab a pile of craft supplies―construction paper, scissors, markers, tape, X-Acto blade, large-eyed needle and strong thread (or dental floss), doilies, ribbon saved from the last party. Don't worry about making it look perfect. It's the message that counts.

Candy Cane Valentine's Day Cupcakes

With some minor melting, candy canes can decorate cupcakes and gift boxes, or cards that will be hand delivered.
 
 How to do it: Remove the cellophane wrapping from the canes and form hearts by placing them hook to hook and tail to tail on a nonstick baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F for 2 to 4 minutes (depending on the canes' size) or until they stick together when you pinch the ends lightly. Cool thoroughly and remove with a spatula. If you want to make flat hearts with psychedelic stripes, bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Make Your Own Candy Hearts

Contrary to the grumblings of all those heart-day humbugs out there, Valentine’s is not some capitalist conspiracy created by purveyors of greeting cards, flowers, and candy. In fact, as far back as Roman times, love matches were made during a mid- February fertility festival. And in the fifth century Pope Gelasius officially declared February 14 Saint Valentine’s Day.

Sure, it has become a tad commercialized since then, but you can still personalize your love notes. Try creating custom candy: Use a fine grater to sand the messages off Conversation Hearts, then write your own thoughts with a food-coloring marker (such as Ateco, available at amazon.com, ). Or make virtual hearts with your message atacme.com/heartmaker and e-mail them to your main squeeze.

Make Gift Tags From Greeting Cards

Last year's holiday and birthday cards may be too pretty to throw away, but they're probably not meaningful enough to keep. Cut out hearts, flowers, or any other whimsical illustration from the card's cover, avoiding handwritten notes on the opposite side, and stash them with your ribbons and wrapping paper.

 

 

Valentine's Day Crossword Puzzle

Go to puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.comand create a free customized crossword that incorporates words and clues from your relationship. For example:
 
 3 Down: What you hate to take out.
Answer: Garbage.

 

 

Quick Valentine’s Day Treat

In between dropping the kids off, picking up the dry cleaning, and making your to-do list for the week, you’re supposed to fit inromance? Try this easy trick: Melt a Hershey’s bar in a saucepan over low heat and dip some fresh strawberries in it to make a treat for your sweetheart. Let them cool on wax paper. Candles and canoodling optional.














 

 

DVDs for Valentine's Day

Struck by a mad urge to play Cupid, you’re throwing a Valentine’s party. For instant ambiance, pick up an appropriately themed DVD―preferably a romantic favorite like When Harry Met Sally, Casablanca, or An Affair to Remember. Come party time, pop it in the machine, press Play, then mute the sound so the film can serve as a quiet but not-too-subtle backdrop for the evening. Bonus: If a partygoer gets tired of small talk, he can zone out and tune in to the on-screen romance until he makes his own love connection with bachelorette number three

 

Create the Perfect Setting

For a romantic and fragrant centerpiece, float a few small orchids and some tea lights in a glass bowl.

 

 

 

Ketchup Bottle as Dessert Decorator

Run an empty plastic ketchup bottle through the dishwasher, then fill it with your favorite sauce or condiment. Drizzle some rosemary-scented olive oil across a bowl of white bean soup, a squiggle of fudge or raspberry sauce around the rim of a dessert plate. (If calligraphy is not your strong suit, practice on a paper plate or stick to abstract designs.) You'll have a five-star-chef presentation in less than five minutes.

 

From realsimple.com/ Posted by Mags