With the day of hearts less than a month away now, I thought it would be a fun time to share some of the more subtle decorating we do to commemorate the holiday.  Valentine’s Day was never a holiday I used to decorate for.  When my kids were younger, it was enough to manage the 30+ valentines they had to prep for their school parties.  A few years ago, I started picking up a few pieces here and there and have now collected a little stash of festive items I like to put out.

I will be honest, taking down the Christmas decorations is easily one of my least favorite projects every year.  I know I am not alone here.  Once everything is put away, it is so nice to look around at the clean and organized house but I must say, it is a little sad too to put away the holiday cheer for another year.  That’s why Valentine’s Day is the perfect transition.  Not nearly as much work as Christmas but makes you feel like there is another holiday to look forward to.  And if you use any red for Christmas, you may even be able to re-purpose a few items or leave them out.

The great thing about decorating for Valentine’s Day is it doesn’t cost much at all.  In fact, my first decorations started with some paper letters that my daughter and niece made a few years ago.  From there, I picked up a few signs and candle holders to give myself a small stash of holiday goodies.  This year, I was lucky enough to get the cutest two tier wood tray for Christmas that I can decorate and update for each season.  This meant I was on the hunt for some little items that could fill it without looking cluttered.

Naturally, the Target dollar aisle provided a few great pieces, some of which can be left out for Spring or Easter as well.  I also got creative and found a few pieces at my local grocery store that worked perfectly.  To be honest though, I also did some searching around my house and completed the look with a candle I got for Christmas plus a mason jar with some leftover straws from Christmas that matched the theme.  I’m a big believer in using items that you already have and mixing them with a few new pieces to create the look.

I added a couple other accessories from Opalhouse at Target that included a new table runner and hand towels.  Now that I have a brighter kitchen, adding some fun decor to it also adds to the holiday spirit.

So, whatever your budget, whether you have a Valentine or not, these are just a few inexpensive ways to brighten up any space for the season.  And who doesn’t love a holiday based on hearts and chocolate.  Happy Valentine’s Day friends!