valentines day

We don't go huge on Valentine's day in our house, I like to do something personal and less commercial, and for the whole family than a single valentine.
Last year I did a little valentine celebration with a lantern chandelier centrepiece and heart topped jellies.  The girls loved it.  To be honest I still haven't decided for this year, something sparkly would be fun.  Here are a few other ideas that may inspire you to make the day just a little bit special for your loved ones.

Clockwise from top left:
Valentine party with easy to do chandelier lantern
Berry ripple baked cheesecake
Home made chocolate ice cream with maltesers (no ice cream machine required)
Heart shaped fairy bread sandwiches for school lunchboxes

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valentine's party...diy lantern chandelier

I threw a little valentine's party for my family this week, really an excuse to dress up the table and make some fun food.  Also a good excuse to visit my favourite $2 shop and decorate with lots of pink.  The lantern centrepiece was quick and easy to make, none of the lanterns cost more than $2 and I used nine.  
The trick with the lanterns is to vary the length they hang as well as the sizes, see below for a more detailed diy.  All in all it took me about half an hour once I had the rope tied over the table.

Setting the table

I wanted to diffuse the pinkness a little so I used a piece of pink and blue fabric as a simple tablecloth.  I bought this piece a few years ago to make cushions but never got around to it, looks better on the table anyway.  Its only 1.5 wide by 1.5 long and was around $35 per meter, not a huge investment for a very pretty result.

Fun food details

I also bought pink and white striped gelato cups, and matching straws, at my favourite $2 shop.  
Filled little bottles with pink cranberry cordial and finished with the straws.
Made strawberry jelly in the gelato cups and topped them with a red celophane heart chocolate.
Not a lot of time for a whole lot of smiles.

Suggested combination of lanterns:

• 2 large plain pink
• 3 small plain pink
• 3 small pom poms
• 2 small polka dot lanterns
• pink organza ribbon for tassles

Hanging instructions:

• I started at the centre with the two larger lanterns and then filled in around them.
• Use the hanging lengths as a guide and push them closer together to create a full effect.
• Remember to walk around the table to see that it looks good from all sides.
• Hanging lengths shown in cm

Tieing tassles to hang straight down:

If you do a simple knot to tie the ribbons they don't fall prettily.  To make them hang straight down tie them similar to a business tie, see below.

Step 1 - Fold ribbon in half and thread top loop over the lantern wire

Step 2 - Open the loop and thread the ribbon tails through

Step 3 - Pull tails firmly downwards

Step 4 - Center ribbons on lantern

I heart the chocolate details, this little bit of red looks fab with the pink and blue scheme.

Its not to late, stop at the $2 shop, buy some jelly, and you will have a valentines party of your own in no time.   

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