Valentine’s Day 2023 Decorating Tips, Crafts, and Must-Try Bonus Recipe

Feb 14, 2023

Valentine’s Day is here, a day that celebrates loving, caring, and all the things that make our hearts skip a beat. Get inspired for this romantic holiday with lots of ideas, including decorations, fun facts, trivia about St. Valentine, resources for crafts, and recipes from Chef to the Stars Ryan Rondeno.

Decorating Tips, Crafts, and Must-Try Bonus Recipe

Photo by Jill Wellington

Make these fun handmade Valentine’s Day decorations. Whether you make our heart

decorations or pretty Valentine craft ideas, these DIYs and projects will be loved by recipients all

year round.

Balloon Heart Arch

Photo by Monica Turlui/Pexels

For a fun, non-traditional take on your Valentine’s Day social media posts, try a giant heart

made of balloons and faux flowers.

“Be Mine” Straw Toppers

What’s a Valentine’s Day party without covering your home from end to end with hearts? These

straw toppers are a great addition to your table decor and the kids can make them as a fun

Valentine’s Day craft.

Straw Topper Instructions

● Print the heart printables out on cardstock.

● Cut out the hearts ahead of time if you’re making this with younger kids.

● Avoid using glitter if you plan to use these with food or drinks.

Did You Know—Origins of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day originated as a Christian feast day that honored one to two Christian martyrs

named Saint Valentine. There are many stories associated with various Valentines linked to

February 14th. One account is the imprisonment of Saint Valentine of Rome for ministering to

Christians who were persecuted under the Roman Empire in the third century. Early traditions

have said that Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of the person who jailed him.

Other legends state that he wrote to the jailer’s daughter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell

before his execution.

Valentine’s Day Fun Facts

● Officially became a holiday associated with love in the 1300s

● St. Valentine is more than one person.

● Valentine’s was first commercialized in the 1840s.

● The first Valentine was sent during the 15th century.

● Americans spent more than $20 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts in 2019.

● The first Valentine’s Day celebration happened in Paris.

● Originally, candy hearts were medical lozenges.

● Most Americans consider pink and red to be the colors of love.

● Valentine’s Day is a popular time to get engaged.

● Roses dominate Valentine’s Day florals

Citrus Ricotta Pancakes by Chef Ryan Rondeno

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Ricotta Cheese

1 Cup of All Purpose Flour

1 TSP of Baking Soda

For the Citrus Pancake Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together the ricotta, milk, egg , lemon zest, orange zest and vanilla. Add the ricotta cheese mixture to the dry ingredients. Fold gently until fully combined. Heat an or a large cast iron or nonstick pan over medium heat. Lightly grease the cooking surface with cooking spray. Use a 1/2 cup measure to pour batter onto the pan. Cook the pancakes for about 3-4 minutes, until the pancakes are golden and you can see bubbles popping through the pancakes. Flip the pancakes and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the pancakes are golden brown. Serve with fresh fruit and maple syrup.