Valentines Day Table Settings

Choosing the right Valentine's Day table settings can help you inject a little extra romance into an already special day. Your table can be casual or formal, but a few simple touches will help you set the romantic mood.

Unlike planning for other dinner parties and special occasion meals, a Valentine's Day table is almost always set for just two. This gives you a lot more options and space when it comes to decorating your table. However, if you have a large dining table, consider making the table smaller. If there is a leaf in the table, remove it. If you have a small kitchen table you use sometimes in place of the dining room table, opt for the small table, even if it is not as formal as your dining table. If you can’t make your table any smaller and don’t have any other options, put your place settings at the head of the table and an adjacent seat so you and your Valentine are close during the meal.

With the practicalities taken care of, here are the things you need to consider to pull your Valentine's Day table settings together:

The table linens – napkins, tablecloths and placemats – you use will determine the color theme of your table decoration. Red is naturally the color of love and the color of Valentines’s Day, but feel free to play around with the theme. Mix different shades of red and pink and punctuate with white. For instance, you could use a deep red tablecloth with white placemats and napkins or red tablecloth with pink placements and white napkins.

Lighting is an important part of creating the perfect Valentine’s ambiance, so the lighting you use on your table counts – and that means candles. Candles are great for any table setting, but there are a few tricks to keep in mind. First, as alluring as fragranced candles may be, the candles you use while eating should always be unscented. That vanilla sugar cookie or tropical coconut scent would play with your taste buds and ruin the flavors in your special meal. Next, make sure the candles are not going to obstruct the passing of serving plates or eye line for conversation. Pillar and taper candles can work, but consider mixing things up with some floating candles that are easy to keep out of the way. Of course, carry your color theme through with the candles you choose.

Since this is an intimate meal for two, less is more when it comes to your centerpiece. Leave the elaborate and ornate centerpieces for your next big dinner party, and instead opt for a simple floral bouquet – a bouquet made from several shades of roses is a nice touch – a bowl of floating candles, or small wreath all make simple yet elegant choices for your Valentine’s Day centerpiece.

For a casual meal, you can set your table the way you would for dinner any night. If you want to have a more formal table setting, visit our article Formal Dinner Table Setting for advice on the proper placement of your plates, cutlery and glasses.

Investing in table decorations for Valentine’s doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Save your money for something special for your sweetie and check out the following retailers for Valentine’s Days deals:

• Target
• Wal-Mart
• Home Goods
• Marshall’s
• Pottery Barn
• Michael’s
• AC Moore
• Kirklands

Don’t forget to starting thinking about the next Valentine’s Day when this one wraps up. Stores will often mark their Valetine’s Day decorations down the day after, so hit the shops and stock up for next year’s special table then.

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