Throw a love-ly Valentine’s Day party.

(FeatureSource) – Valentine’s Day doesn’t just have to be celebrated for two. Have a romantic party and invite all your friends to enjoy this love-ly day. Here are some ideas from Penny Warner’s book, “The Best Party Book” (Meadowbrook Press).

Make your own invitations by cutting hearts out of velvety paper, or using lacy heart-shaped white paper. Include little candy “conversation” hearts in the envelope. Buy small, heart-shaped boxes of candy, write the party details under the lid, and hand-deliver the invitations.

Ask guest to dress in red, white, or pink, or in a romantic outfit, or as a famous romantic character.

Light lots of red, pink, and white votive candles around your home. Hang posters from romantic movies. Use real or artificial roses, along with heart-shaped balloons tied together with ribbons. Play romantic music.

Make “love coupons” to hand out to your guests. Some can be appealing, such as “Good for time off from your least-favorite chore.” Some can be duds, like “Good for one phone call to your mother-in-law.”

Go around and ask guests to tell how they met their significant other. You may be surprised at how different the versions of these stories may be!

Make the refreshments pink, red, and delicious. Serve strawberry daiquiris or mimosas (pink champagne and orange juice). Stuff sandwiches with pink salmon or crab meat. Put strawberries, cherries, or raspberries on croissants with whipped cream. Try sundaes with strawberry ice cream or real strawberries.

Give away little gifts of boxes of candy, bottles of champagne, flowers, romance novels, theatre tickets, romantic music, or massage oil.