Valentine's Day Party Ideas for Adults and Kids

Adult guests at your Valentine's Day party will love special sentimental touches, so make the party setting romantic with music, lighting, and decorations.

Music: For dinnertime entertainment, instrumental music (such as jazz or classical) is a safe bet that will be enjoyed by all. If you have a few favorite sweetheart songs, put them on a playlist to play in the background. Standard songbirds such as Nat King Cole or Tony Bennett are great options.

Lighting: Nothing makes a dinner table more holiday-ready than candlelight, so incorporate candles into your table decorations. A cluster of pillar candles makes a simple and beautiful centerpiece. Or place votives in the center of all guests' plates with their names on them to incorporate a bit of light into the place settings.

Decorations: A bouquet of red roses (or scattered rose petals) is an easy way to decorate your table for a Valentine's Day dinner party. Keep the arrangement simple in a clear vase or compote; see other easy ways to display roses below.

Give your party guests something to remember the evening with unique party favors or small, special gifts. Show friends or family members how special they are to you with journals full of memories you've shared together. Print the evening's recipes on a note card, attach with a ribbon to a favorite spice used in the meal, and give as a handmade take-home gift.