It comes around once a year. Instantly detectable from the overwhelming explosion of pink and red in shop windows, the hiked up price tag on a bunch of roses and the sudden inexplicable desire to buy chocolates or candy. The experience may be nauseating to many, but, in my opinion, the perception of Valentine's Day merely being expensive and fraught with clichés belongs to those who fail to think outside the heart-shaped box. The truth is, I bear little objection to the holiday. In fact, I embrace it and view it as an opportunity to get creative!
For something simple, inexpensive yet still romantic, I would highly recommend the following concept: Instead of splurging on dinner at a fancy restaurant, have a cosy night in on the couch. A couch 'picnic' of sorts. Snuggle under a blanket, order take-out, indulge in champagne, popcorn and candy in front of your favourite romantic movie.
You can even eat on disposable picnic plates and cutlery so that neither of you have to wash any dishes afterwards!
Furthermore, instead of swapping gifts, swap love-letters!
And if you're the type who enjoys being a little bit creative you can go as far as assembling a fun, 'package' to give to your partner a few days beforehand to invite them to the event. Fill up a cute popcorn carton or bag with a heart-shaped magnet containing details of the evening, a love-letter in a bottle (to be opened during the evening), two sets of picnic cutlery, two (fake) movie tickets, a packet of candy, some colourful confetti and any other festive, season-appropriate knick-knacks that you can imagine!
VALENTINE POPCORN INVITATION- WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
Tools:
- Colour Inkjet Printer
- Scissors
- Scalpel
- Cutting Board
- Ruler
- Pen
- Stapler
Materials:
- Popcorn carton or bag (You may find these in party shops)
- A4 sheet of smooth white card stock
- PDF of designs (Download at bottom of article)
- Small rectangular magnet sticker. (A4 magnet sticker sheets should be available in some craft stores or you could re-use a magnet from old advertising material)
- Some nice paper for your handwritten love-letter.
- A small glass bottle or cannister (for your love-letter)
- Picnic cutlery x 2
- Ribbon or twine (to tie around your love-letter and cutlery sets)
- Small manila tag
- Candy
- Blu-tack (or double-sided tape)
- Small clear plastic bag
- Confetti
Firstly, print out the designs onto smooth white card stock and cut out the various elements using either scalpel or scissors.
To create the heart magnet invitation, use scissors to carefully and slowly cut around the heart-shaped design. Cut a small rectangle out of the A4 magnet sticker sheet and stick on the back of the heart.
Tie the cutlery sets up with some nice ribbon or twine of your choosing. Attach the 'bon appetit' banner with blu-tack (or double-sided tape).
I created my own confetti from a heart-shaped craft punch but you can use pre-made confetti if you prefer.
Fill small plastic bag with candy of your choosing. Before cutting out your candy bag topper design, use your scalpel to gently score between the dotted lines. Cut out and fold, at the score, over the top of your bag. Trim down edges to the size of your bag then use your stapler to attach it.
Write your partner a love-letter. Roll it up, tie up with string and stick it in your glass bottle or cannister. I've tied a manila tag around the bottle with the words 'Open on February 14'
You can even throw in pen into your package to encourage your partner to write their own letter to you!
Combine all your goodies into the popcorn container. Present the finished package to your significant other with a smile!
Have a great Valentine's Day!
---------------
CONDITIONS OF USE: The downloadable pdfs in this article (and across my entire site) are free for personal use only. They are not for commercial use. If you wish to incorporate any of my designs in your own personal projects, please attribute it to me by linking to my site. Please do not distribute any of my downloadable files. If you wish to blog about this article, please feel free to use my photos as long as they are accompanied with a credit and link back to my site and/or this article. As a courtesy please do not link directly to a downloadable file but rather to this page.Thanks for reading this boring footer stuff! :)
{ all images by Amy Moss }
Lise
http://elevenlovelythings.com/
thanks for sharing!
My husband and I don't really enjoy the pressure that is put on V-day so instead we try to serve our single friends by treating them to dinner and fun evening. Thanks for sharing your brilliance!
He's a lucky guy
:)
First of all, let me just say how much I LOVE this idea!! And your photos are BEAUTIFUL!
Second, I hope you don't mind, but I decided that I loved your awesome idea so much, I would write a blog post about it! You can check it out here: http://littlelightups.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-date-night-idea-free.html Enjoy!!
Thanks for sharing such cool stuff! I can't wait to check out the rest of your blog!
-Elyssa
I love it and this is just so creative I can not stand it!!!! :)
Cheers!!
http://www.thelateafternoon.com
~Kirsten
http://www.triplemaxtons.com
Thank you and Happy Valentines Day
Monica AKA Stampinmama
It's a really cute idea!
in each post you give us so much beauty, and your DIY are amazing!!!!
Thanks for sharing...
For sure i´ll invite my "one" for a lovely movie nite
xx
http://covetcollective.blogspot.com/2011/02/diy-valentines.html
Happy Valentine's Day!
-Lana
Thanks so much!
You are GREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!
Thabnk you so much for sharing, i wanna do all that with my beloved husband!
www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com
Once i had a boyfriend and i did something like this for his birthday, it was so disappoingting that he wouldn't appreciate it at all!! Gosh... of course it didn't go well.
Anyways, I thank God because now i'm with the loveliest and i think he deserves the best couch pic-nic ever ;)
Thanks for sharing this, your blog is SO inspiring and you're so generous!
But unfortunately, I couldn't print it!!!! it was really bad seriusly because everithing looks very nice, but Iv'got the idea and Im doing something like it!!! thankyou very much for the inspiration
regards from mexico!!
Thanks for the tips & inspiration (:
would love to have you link up at my Handmade Valentine Party:
http://www.summitstreetjoy.com/2012/01/handmade-valentines-day-crafts-and.html
xo
lauren
I did a blog post on the end product:
http://thediaryofshanfrank.blogspot.com/2012/02/love-is-in-air.html
xxx