ALT-1 Celebrating Valentines Day
Valentine's Day is a perfect excuse to go over-the-top, make pink food, play party games and create merriment. By February 14, winter blahs set in, and everyone needs a pick me up. Rescue your single friends from self-pity, and your friends' husbands from panic when they realize they have not secured a gift/flowers/card before close of business. I learned from my grandma that if you are going to embrace kitsch, embrace it wholeheartedly and go all the way. Hang hearts from the ceiling, display antique Valentine post cards on the windowsill, have a red table arrangement, and place bowls of candy on every end table.
InvitationsUse Evite to send an invitation (www.evite.com). Evite is the easiest way to invite guests, actually get an accurate RSVP list, and send updates if needed. Evite provides themed invitations for every holiday.
Ask everyone to wear red or pink. To encourage participation, give a prize (naughty or nice) for the person wearing the most red.
FoodMake it easy, as Valentine's Day has a five out of seven chance of falling on a "school night." Spaghetti, garlic bread and salad with strawberries and almonds keeps is in color-scheme. Serve red wine, and red velvet cake for dessert. If appetizers are in order, color the onion dip pink! Serve "pigs in a blanket" and red peppers and hummus.
Party GamesValentine's Day trivia: Compile a list of questions about Valentine's Day history and have everyone answer. Person with the most correct answers wins!
Write a group story with conversation heart candy. New for 2008, candies will have weather related saying on them!
Worst Valentine's Day story: Everyone shares their story of their worst Valentine's Day ever. Most heartbreaking, miserable or hilarious story wins. (I wrecked my car last year on Valentine's Day. I think I win.)
Valentine's Mad Libs: Write a story related to Valentine's Day, but leave out words in strategic places. Enlist the group to fill in missing words and read aloud. Guaranteed belly laughs!
Favors and PrizesEveryone must leave with a favor. Five dollar Starbucks gift cards and a few chocolates in a pink cellophane bag will be universally accepted and enjoyed. Packs of Peeps provide post-party fun, and may be extracted prior to the end of the party.
Valentine's Day need not be a day of misery, whether you are coupled or not. Use Valentine's Day as an excuse to invite your best buddies over for food and fun, and you will remember this Valentine's Day as your best, ever.
