Valentine's Day Display

Valentine's Day Presentation is Everything!

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be expensive or ostentatious (though I did see the cutest red heart necklace with red heart stud earrings today!... not that expensive either!)

For years, we had a "display" table... just a small table that sat up against the wall. I would decorate it for V-day, and we'd put our presents there.

Here's what I did: I'd start with handmade hearts that I'd save from year to year. I'd tape them around the edge of the table. I'd put a strand of Valentine's Day lights around the edge of the table. Then I'd take bags from the Valentine's Days of the past, and I'd open them and put them on the back of the table.. for color and texture. I also have a few red heart candle and heart-shaped ornaments that I'd put on the table. On the wall behind the table, I'd tape past Valentine's Day cards.

The center of the table was open for gifts and flowers from this year. Always pretty! I wouldn't put the display up until the afternoon of Valentine's Day.. unlike Christmas decorations, Valentine's Day decorations pop up on the day itself.

A lovely display makes even simple gifts (a little candy or treats, flowers, and perhaps a small gift) seem particularly festive and wonderful.

The picture above was taken with a cell phone a couple of years ago.. not the greatest quality, but you get the idea.

Valentine's Day Gifts for my Boyfriend? (Updated for 2013)

What should I get for my boyfriend at Valentine's?

Love in a Grain of Sand (from Beautiful Engineering at Facebook)

This question is the most popular question we've received, much more popular that the inverse: What do I get my girlfriend for Valentine's?

So let me assure you that you should plan on doing something (or getting something) for your boyfriend at Valentine's Day. But the watchwords are: Keep it cute or funny, keep it simple, and personalize it.

Cute Valentine's Gift

Cute? A teddy bear or stuffed animal? I really don't think so, though something small and related to who he is is acceptable: A stuffed animal that represents a nickname, the name of a team that he plays for, or a team that he roots for.

A bone or chew toy for his dog? Catnip for his cat? (Just a cute add-on gift there.)

A cute or funny not-too-mushy card is probably best.  It would be even better if you could make a cute card.  Just cut out a heart shape out of an old painting or even gift wrap and write something cute and simple on it.

A small novelty gift that is perfect for him would also be a good choice. One of my boyfriend's favorite gifts was a silly little punching bag (just a few inches high) that sang out expletives and insults when somebody punched at it. He thought it was hilarious.

Simple Valentine's Day Gift

Simple? Cookies, candy, a home-cooked meal, a bottle of wine (if you are old enough)is simple. Maybe music, a favorite movie, or even a book? Try baking cupcakes or cookies or a whole cake for him!

Or.. get him some penny candy!

A Personal Valentine's Day Gift

Personalize it? Something he's mentioned that he would really like.. if it is in your budget. I bought my boyfriend a police scanner radio one Valentine's Day. He had mentioned it and obviously wanted it but he didn't want to buy it for himself.

I once bought him a bottle of "Red Truck" wine. The label was very cute, and he had just finished a project at work that involved red trucks.

And a handmade card.. or some handmade decorations:

Make a "display" in a corner of your (or his) home: Clean off a small table, put a fabric covering or tablecloth over it, place the gift and the unopened card on the table, perhaps even a small vase of flowers, and sprinkle about small paper hearts, perhaps some red lights... and the candies or cookies. I also save last year's Valentine's Day cards, and I tape them up behind the display. (Of course, you wouldn't do that if you were with somebody else last Valentine's Day.. that would be tacky!)

(I'm writing a separate blog entry about Valentine's Day displays, so more later on that!)

Just for the record, here is a picture of that bottle of red truck wine... The quality is poor as the pic was taken with a cell phone:

To summarize:

One or two small gifts, something cute or something he has specifically mentioned that he wants, something to eat, and remember the presentation! Always add a personal touch to something! He'll think you are great and he won't feel overwhelmed.

Keep it simple!

Valentine's Day Candy... Penny Candy! (Updated for 2018)

The Valentine's Day Ice Cube candies

Valentine's Day candy with a twist:

I remember one of the first Valentine's Days I celebrated with my college boyfriend, way back when I was 19. Anybody remember ice cube candies? I absolutely loved ice cube candies.. I'd always treat myself to 1 or 2 whenever I went into a store which stocked them. They have a smooth softer chocolate center in a slightly harder shell... kind of like a truffle. My mouth waters just thinking about them, and I haven't come across any for a couple of years now.

Well, my boyfriend bought me a whole box of them. 30? 40? 50 or more? I don't know how many were in that box, but I remember storing them close to the window in my dorm room (as refrigerators were not common in dorm rooms back in the 70's) so that they wouldn't melt. I guarded them carefully. I'd eat one or two a day. They lasted forever!

These candies are still around... I found them at two online stores; the Vermont Country Store  and The Old Time Candy Store

Ice Cube candies from the Vermont Country Store

Candy is so appropriate at Valentine's Day.... What a great idea for an unusual Valentine's Day gift: Your lover's favorite "penny" candy! If not those ice cubes that I love, what about candy buttons? Or Mary Jane's? Or bubble gum cigarettes or cigars? You know, the Candy you ate as a kid!

Both the Old Time Candy Company and the Vermont Country Store have great selections of candy you ate as a kid... specials and assortments for penny candies going back to the 50's.