Ah Valentine’s Day. A day of love. It doesn’t need to be a day to celebrate romantic love with just your partner, though. Share the love with your family and friends by hosting a Valentine’s Day party this year. It can save you and your coupled friends the stress of having to go out on a popular date night, and will give you time to spend with your single friends who may not want to spend the holiday alone, or with a stranger. It can also give you an excuse to have another holiday to coordinate your home decor with so that you can show off your decorating prowess.

Celebrate the love you share with every one of your loved ones this Valentine’s season with a personalized and fun party.

Dinner is Served

Make it a dinner. This gives the party something to centralize around and can allow you to play off of traditional Valentine’s tropes. Set up multiple courses to make your guests feel like they’re being specially treated and provide cocktails throughout the night. Make sure you have a dining space big enough for all of your guests, and seating to keep them comfortable all night. Hosting a big event may even be the perfect excuse you’ve been looking for to upgrade your dining set.

Set the Scene

Set a theme, but don’t go too gaudy (Unless you’re aiming for gaudy, in which case, go crazy). Rose golds and golds can make great accents to softer pinks. Utilize white to give you a more sleek look to accent your reds and pinks. Try an all-white tablecloth to pair with your more colorful centerpieces to create an eye-catching distinction between the colors that also looks professional. You can also branch out from the bright red and pinks associated with the holiday and try for tones that may be a bit more unique. Deep plums and other purples, for example, still get across the warmth and brightness that the typical Valentine’s Day decor achieves, but may feel a little more rich. As for decor, place small yet functional accents throughout your home, such as throw pillows, that you can use year after year.

Get a Handle on Some Candles

What is a night devoted to love without candles? Light up your home with plenty of candles and other soft forms of lighting. Be careful, however, to only use one or two scents. You don’t want to overwhelm your guest’s noses with a barrage of smells. Pick one scent, or a few scents that work together, to create a sense of ambience and then fill the rest of your home with unscented candles. Not sure which scent will set the right tone? Try a sophisticated wine scented candle, like cabernet or champagne.

Floral Frenzy

If there’s anytime to use florals as much as your heart desires, it would be Valentine’s Day. Feel free to get creative with your florals, whether in the form of real cuts or patterned fabrics. It will add a sense of whimsy and magic to your party’s aesthetic. If you’re a bit less florally inclined, utilize them in the form of clever details, like cloth napkins, centerpieces, or blankets.

Valentine VIP

If you’re nervous that guests may want something to do besides chat, set up a Valentine card making station! It can give those stuck outside of a conversation something to do and can add the personal touch to your party you may need. Guests can sit down and make a Valentine for their loved one throughout the night, or just in the cocktail hour before dinner. This activity is especially recommended for parties of all ages that need to provide kids a bit more to do with their hands.