Ledger

Issue date: 2/2/10 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Abby Williamson When planning your party, think details, like cupcake stands and custom invites.

There is no rule in the Valentine's Day code book that says you have to spend the night at a candlelit dinner with your soulmate. This year, get your friends involved by throwing a themed Valentine's Day party. Read below for an easy step-by-step guide.


1. Come up with a specific theme


Now this one may seem like a no-brainer, seeing it is a Valentine's Day party, but think beyond hearts and red streamers and come up with a great theme. Perhaps you and your friends have a favorite television show, or even a decade, or both! For this particular article, we are going to go for a retro, "Mad Men" theme. Think late 50s dresses, skinny ties, thick rimmed glasses, martinis and some classic all-American snacks.

2. Craft fun invitations

Don't spend money on buying bland invitations when they could be custom made, perfectly fitting your theme. Be sure to mention that there is a dress code. "Retro glam attire required," or "Dress to impress as your favorite Mad Men character." Include RSVP cards so you can keep track of who will be coming to your party. Sending paper invitations rather than online e-vites helps create the retro theme you are going for.

3. Create your
menu

For a "Mad Men" themed party, go for an array of retro, all-American hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, pigs in a blanket, mini pizzas, and a Cheerios cocktail snack (something like Chex Mix) are a few examples. For dessert, set out small fruit cups, mini chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting, little pies, Angel food cake, or vanilla ice cream in retro cups with a cherry on top.
Decorate your appetizer trays with celery trunks, stuffed cucumbers, grape clusters & fruit kabobs and put bowls of salted almonds on coffee tables.
If you need more help coming up with a menu for the particular decade you choose go to (www.foodtimeline.org).


4. Find a signature mock or cocktail


Set up a table of decorated martini glasses filled with a signature cocktail/mocktail. Perhaps a pink lemontini, or a classic martini with olives.

5. Prepare your decor

This step is pretty straight forward. Go to your local party store and stock up on balloons, streamers, paper plates and cups. The color and style is what you want to pay close attention to. Pick out silver metallic pieces and pink crepe paper. Rather than getting a whole bunch of cheap Solo cups, try finding some martini glasses at a place like TJ Maxx or the dollar store, for your signature drink. Fill glass vases with fluffy white, pink or red flowers (it usually looks nicer if you keep the colors separated, so put white flowers in their own vase and pink in their own). Don't be afraid to use paper doilies.

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