In just a few days we will celebrate the most romantic of holiday of the year – Valentine’s Day. It’s a holiday that dates back to ancient history (St. Valentine of Rome, a persecuted priest, was martyred in AD 269). The day, February 14th, has always represented courtly love from the High Middle Ages to today.

To me nothing says “I Love You” more than a romantic dinner shared in the comfort of your home. Whether you are grilling steaks, calling for take-out, or breaking out your new pressure cooker for the first time, you will need to plan ahead and that means starting with a beautiful table.

Valentine Day Tablescape Basics

Linens: Forget about store bought Valentine Day-themed napkins and table décor and stick to a simple white, pressed tablecloth and napkins. A white (or natural color) tablecloth is the start to creating an elegant, classy tablespace. For added pizazz, fold your napkins into roses. (How to Make a Rose out of a Cloth Napkin: 8 Steps )

Candles: Set the mood with the soft glow of unscented candles placed across the table in pretty votives or holders. Be sure to buy unscented candles so they won’t compete with the aroma of your meal.

Flowers: Whether you buy a centerpiece from your local florist or supermarket or create one yourself, be sure the arrangement is low so you can easily see and talk to your special someone across the table. Roses are standard for Valentine’s Day but you can try tulips, peonies or flowers from your garden.

Chocolate-Dipped Anything: Chocolate-dipped fruit, caramels, nuts, or shortbread cookies can added to your tablescape throughout your meal. In a hurry or just don’t want to fuss – buy a box of chocolates and arrange the pieces in a pretty dish or on a small plate.

Valentine Day Happenings in St. Petersburg

St Pete EDGE Valentine’s Sip & Stroll – Feb 10, 2019
On Sunday, February 10th from 12-4 pm the EDGE District celebrates with a special Valentine’s-themed Sip & Stroll! For only $15 in advance ($20 day of), guests receive an official Sip & Stroll cup and map to enjoy complimentary beverages and food at nearly two dozen of the EDGE District’s favorite eateries, pubs, retail shops and other very cool businesses. Guests can enjoy their drinks while exploring the EDGE, which has become one of the most popular destinations in the Tampa Bay region. And, in honor of Valentine’s, there will be plenty of heart-friendly offerings to highlight the Stroll. (http://edgedistrict.org/upcoming-events.html)

Valentine’s Day at Imagine Museum: Feb 14, 2019
Impress your sweetheart with the beauty of studio glass art! Head to Imagine Museum after 5 p.m. for discounted $5 admission. Make the evening even more memorable for an extra $10 and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and champagne. (https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/event/valentines-day-imagine-museum/9518)

Valentwe’en 2019 Ghost Tour – Feb 16, 2019
Brandy Stark of the SPIRITS of St. Petersburg, a professor and 20 year paranormal investigator, will be hosting a Valentwe’en Ghost Tour at Art Lofts on Feb. 16, 2019, from 7 – 9 PM. Tour includes a ghost hunting 101, the history of the building, and a walk through of the haunted areas. Tickets for the ghost tour are $20. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valentween-2019-ghost-tour-tickets-54118204005)

Related Links:
Are Your Valentine’s Day Roses Saying More Than You Think?
The Best Romance Novels Ever Written
Love Poetry: An International Anthology of Poems on Love, Romance, and Relationships (Volume 1), by Z Poetry