How to Decorate for Valentine's Day on a Budget

Decorating for Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to bust your budget. There are plenty of ways to decorate with items you already own. The following are just a few of many ways, that you can capture that romantic and festive ambience that’s fitting for your Valentine’s celebration, without spending a lot of money. Have fun and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Color twigs nuts, rocks and stones with red, white and pink spray paint and scatter around centerpieces or on the buffet table. Insert painted branches, ornamental grasses, etc. in vases and plants. Light up with miniature Christmas lights.

2. Fill glass holders (candle holders, clear bowls, drinking glasses and so forth) with clear or red dyed tap water. Add in votives or floating candles. Float red glitter and/or cranberries in the water.

3. Make a centerpiece by combining steps 1 and 2 above and add in red beads and red glass Christmas ornaments. Add glitter. String lights if your table is backed up against a wall (or use battery operated).

4. Use red beads or garlands in your arrangements and throughout the house. Hang from chandeliers, lamps and curtain rods. They’re festive and can be hung anywhere. Bunch up and insert in candle holders or string across tables.

5. Make paper hearts out of red and pink construction paper. Tie on fishing line and hang from the ceiling, ceiling lights and curtain rods.

6. Change out your regular bulb, in a lamp or light fixture, for a red party light.

7. Give a new holiday chore to your miniature red and clear Christmas lights. Drape around windows, doors and shelves. Bunch up in balls and light up a vase. Hang on plants, twigs, artwork, etc.

8. Set out red fruits, such as apples, strawberries, cherries and pomegranates. Adorn a few pieces with glitter or paint dots.

9. Turn ice cubes red with food coloring.

10. Dye old sheets, doilies, tablecloths, cloth napkins, etc.

11. Spray paint grapevine wreaths, frames, and old clay pots (great for holding utensils). Line these same pots with red, pink or white cloth napkins and use for breads and snacks. Paint on white dots or hearts, if desired.

12. Make a kissing ball. Bind twigs with a rubber band or string and spray paint white. Tie up with red or pink ribbon.

13. Cook up a red, white and pink food theme. Think pasta sauces, meatballs, shrimp and strawberry pie. There’s a ton of food that already fits the color theme, but if necessary, get creative with no-taste red food coloring (Wilton makes this in a gel).

14. Bring indoors big urns and flower boxes. Line with trash bags if necessary and use for drink coolers.

Tips & Warnings

• Glitter, dye and food coloring go a long way.
• Think, red, white and pink. Add in a little gold or silver along the way.
• Always keep ‘party décor’ in mind when shopping garage sales, thrift stores and discount store sales.
• Candles, candles, candles.

[StarrySkye]

on 2/11/2009 Great article...thanks for sharing!

[healthymomof5]

on 2/7/2009 Great information!5*

[mechelepellebon]

on 2/6/2009 These are great valentines day tips. Thanks for sharing!