During
the late nineteenth century, the occasion of St. Valentine's Day was
a chance for novelty in entertaining. Valentine's Day party ideas such as luncheons, teas, socials and
fancy dress functions of all sorts were easily and artistically
arranged with flowers, hearts, darts and cupids. The success of
these pleasant social affairs often depended on the theme of the
party. Some of the popular themes for both children and adult
parties from the Ladies Home Journal can be adapted today for
an unusual and fun event.
Valentine's Day Party Ideas
A REMINISCENCE PARTY: This party was very much enjoyed by the married folks of various
ages in a small circle of friends. Each husband was asked to write a
description of his wife's wedding-gown, to be read aloud when finished and
submitted to her judgment. Groans accompanied the writing of the papers, along with
much laughter at the reading of them. One man said that his wife's dress was dove color, when she said it was
rose; and another husband described his wife's wedding-gown as of calico,
explaining that they eloped in most romantic haste. Cleverest of all was the man who, instead of writing, was warmly applauded
for saying that he had seen nothing at his wedding but the look in his
bride's dear eyes. For a little while each husband lived over again the joys of
his wedding day, and every man declared on leaving that he had spent the
most delightful evening of the season.
Valentine's Day Parties
BIRD PARTY: A Valentine's Day party idea that is rather out of the ordinary is to have the guests appear as
birds, this date being the one on which birds are supposed to choose their
mates and begin building their nests. If this plan is adopted the thought is
still further carried out by having the round refreshment table edged with
branches and straw, quite like a veritable nest of gigantic proportions. The
refreshments served in paper eggs will keep up the illusion.
In sending out the invitations the hostess should intimate what bird she
wishes each one of her guests to represent; therefore, when the company
arrives it is discovered, as was the case in the Ark, that there are two of
each kind — pairs of robins, sparrows, eagles, doves, etc., being represented
in the masculine and feminine guests.
Of course, such pairs are considered partners for the evening, and should
there be any defections the lone creatures afford much amusement for the
mated ones.
Another really funny element in this "Bird Party" is that masculine and
feminine ideas of what they should look like as the birds designated by
their hostess differ so widely that when the time for mate-choosing arrives
many a robin or sparrow fails to recognize its mate. Profound secrecy as to
what bird each one is to represent will add much to the enjoyment to be
derived from the evening's revelations.
Party Ideas
CHILDREN'S FORTUNE-TELLING PARTY: In one corner of the room in which the fortunes are to be told stand a large
heart about six feet tall made of barrel-hoops and wire covered with
turkey-red cotton, against a white box or clothes-horse covered with sheets.
Cut two slits in the heart; above one write "Lassies," above the other "Lads." Tie to the heart by a cord about a yard long a wooden dart painted
with gold paint; on the reverse side of the point of the dart tack a piece
of gold-colored cloth to form a pocket large enough to hold a tiny envelope.
Then invite the lads and lassies to seek their fortunes by thrusting the
dart into the respective slits.
A pretty girl dressed as the Queen of Hearts should stand at one side of
the heart and explain how wise counsel may be had for the future, and
another girl should stand behind to slip an envelope in the dart each time
it is inserted. The envelopes hold the fortunes, and, of course, would have
to be prepared beforehand by someone well acquainted with the aims and
aspirations of the invited guests. In order to avoid any delay or confusion
the envelopes for the girls should be kept in one box and those for the men
in another. If the fortunes are cleverly written this party will prove a
very merry one.
Entertaining Ideas
CHILDREN'S CUPID PARTY: A Cupid party idea is alive with fun and mystery. Issue the invitations in
Cupid's name for a party to be held at the residence of Mrs. ——. The little
god may be represented by a boy dressed in a white linen suit. He should
have pink paper wings tinted with gold, and a pink rose for a boutonnière.
Provide him also with a jaunty cap and a bow and arrow and let him pass to
each guest a pencil and a sheet of white paper decorated with a pink and
gold heart, on which ten letters of the alphabet are written that have been
dictated at random by the guests in turn. Inform the guests that each
letter is to be used for the beginning of a word, and that these ten words
must form an appropriate valentine message. Each note should be addressed
impersonally, as, for instance: "For my Lady Fair," or "Sir Knight of the
Roses," or " Queen of the Revels."
Then let Cupid collect the sheets of paper and take them to the hostess, who
will read the results, withholding the signatures. Two prizes may be awarded
by vote, one for the lady and one for the gentleman writing the cleverest
message.
CHILDREN'S CUPID PARTY: A Cupid party idea is alive with fun and mystery. Issue the invitations in
Cupid's name for a party to be held at the residence of Mrs. ——. The little
god may be represented by a boy dressed in a white linen suit. He should
have pink paper wings tinted with gold, and a pink rose for a boutonnière.
Provide him also with a jaunty cap and a bow and arrow and let him pass to
each guest a pencil and a sheet of white paper decorated with a pink and
gold heart, on which ten letters of the alphabet are written that have been
dictated at random by the guests in turn. Inform the guests that each
letter is to be used for the beginning of a word, and that these ten words
must form an appropriate valentine message. Each note should be addressed
impersonally, as, for instance: "For my Lady Fair," or "Sir Knight of the
Roses," or " Queen of the Revels."
Then let Cupid collect the sheets of paper and take them to the hostess, who
will read the results, withholding the signatures. Two prizes may be awarded
by vote, one for the lady and one for the gentleman writing the cleverest
message.