Holidays

Now that February 14th has passed and the Valentine's Day candy has been consumed, many people may have leftover decorations that they don't know what to do with. Instead of throwing them out or packing them away until next year, why not put them to good use?

According to Real Simple magazine, paper doilies can serve many purposes aside from decorating Valentine's Day cards. If you are preparing to travel, a doily can make transporting your earrings easy. Simply fasten the studs through the small holes in the paper and stack the doily in your suitcase.

However, not everybody is planning on taking a trip, but doilies can also come in handy in the kitchen when decorating a dessert.

"Press a doily flat on top of a round cake and, using a fine-mesh sieve, sprinkle confectioners' sugar liberally over the surface," the publication advises. "Use two hands to carefully remove the doily post-dusting."

Finally, you can use this Valentine's Day decoration for pretty baby shower favors. Simply roll the doily into a cone, secure with tape and fill with some sweet treats.

When it comes to Valentine's Day cards for kids, the possibilities are almost endless.

Of course, homemade valentines featuring red hearts, glitter and doilies are precious. But they can be time-consuming to make, especially when creating gifts for a classroom full of your child's friends.

Store-bought valentines come in a variety of themes to appeal to nearly any child. Valentines that feature princesses and sports themes as well as television, cartoon and movie characters, are all available. However, these cards are often small and can be impersonal.

Many children choose to attach a lollipop, candy bar or other treat to their cards as well.

Personalized candy wrappers can serve as both card and treat when printed with your child's name.

These sweet treats are available for both full-sized bars and miniature bars.

Designs vary and include lady bugs, hearts and puppies. Many have a space to write the recipient's name and are personalized with your child's. For instance, the wrapper may say "Happy Valentine's Day" on the front, while the back leaves a blank space for the "To" and is pre-printed with your child's name next to "From."

Non-personalized Valentine's Day candy is also available. These chocolate treats include candy bars and foil-wrapped chocolate hearts or flowers.
 

Valentine's Day is one of the most divisive days of the year. While couples typically celebrate this date as a time to express their love for their other half, those who are single often dread the heart-filled holiday. This year, instead of moping at home as your partnered pals enjoy romantic candlelit dinners, throw a Valentine's Day party for you and your single friends.

This gathering truly benefits from the idea "the more the merrier," so encourage your friends to bring along other unattached pals from outside your social circle. With a flexible guest list, however, you'll want to make sure to have extra food, custom party favors and supplies on hand.

When decorating the party space, remember that the shindig is for those without significant others, so that they can gather and enjoy each other's company – it is not an anti-Valentine's Day party. Don't go overboard with black streamers or broken heart decals. Dress the room as you see fit, whether that be with twinkly Christmas lights or a few red balloons.

Whether you're in a relationship or not, everybody loves Valentine's Day candy, so stock up on delicious sweet treats like boxes of chocolate and heart-shaped lollipops.

With the party space prepared, you'll be ready to have a fantastic February 14th – guaranteed!

While many couples spend Valentine's Day on a romantic date for two, it's always fun to also celebrate the holiday with your best friends. After all, it's a great day to honor everyone you adore – not just your significant other!

This year, February 14th falls on a Monday, leaving the weekend wide open for revelry. Plan your party for Friday or Saturday night, speaking to pals before selecting a date to see if any are celebrating the holiday early.

Pay close attention when creating the guest list, as you'll want an even mix of couples and single friends. If the crowd is too heavy on one group, the others may feel especially out of place at a Valentine's Day gathering.

Make the party space look magical but don't feel obligated to stick to pink and red adornments. Mix it up with blue heart-shaped decals and silver streamers for a modern twist on a traditional decor.

Have a slew of finger foods and cocktails on hands to further the fiesta's celebratory feel. Of course, this party isn't complete without sweet treats, so make sure to get lots of Valentine's Day candy as well.