Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate love with the whole family. 

It’s about creating joyful, meaningful memories together, right in the comfort of your home. 

The cliché of an intimate dinner for two can be replaced with a contemporary version at home, with a little effort. 

Find inspiration for creative ways to mark the occasion outside red roses, chocolates, and champagne. 

Get the family involved! 

Whether it’s young children eager to craft or teens excited to bake, Valentine’s at home is a chance to bond over shared experiences.  

The key is to make everyone feel included, appreciated, and loved. 

DIY Valentine’s crafts 

Set up a craft station with supplies like coloured paper, markers, and glitter, where kids can design their own Valentine’s cards. This simple activity sparks creativity and can give children a sense of pride in their handmade tokens of love. 

It’s also great practice for the next time a handmade card is needed! 

Host a family movie night 

Transform your living room into a cosy theatre; comfy blankets, pillows, and themed snacks (perhaps those from the earlier baking session).  

Large living areas make it easy to comfortably accommodate the whole family. 

The Hastings home design features a 3.7 x 4.4 metre home theatre towards the front. It’s set just off the kitchen entry it’s insulated from sound that my come from other rooms or light filtering in. 

A perfect spot large enough for the whole family to enjoy a film. 

See below for some Valentine’s Day movie recommendations. 

Bake together in a spacious kitchen 

Gather in your spacious kitchen to bake heart-shaped cookies, cupcakes, or even a simple loaf decorated with icing.  

Generous benchtops and open-plan designs mean everyone can join in without feeling cramped. 

The Marsden’s island bench is an ideal hub for preparation and serving. It’s immediately adjacent to the dining table and seamlessly part of the open plan living space.  

Once everything is in the oven, see if you can get the kitchen clean before the first batch is ready! 

A themed dinner 

Get everyone involved in planning a Valentine’s dinner – there’s plenty to do! 

Delegate the jobs. You’ll need someone decorating the dining table, preparing the entre and main courses, setting the table, and making the dessert. 

A little effort to create a festive atmosphere can make all the difference.  

Consider floral touches with vases of fresh roses or carnations in shared spaces. 

On the table settings, use heart-shaped placemats, red-and-white napkins, and candlelight for a romantic vibe. 

You can also let the kids decorate windows with removable Valentine’s Day stickers or paper garlands. 

A themed dinner 

Get everyone involved in planning a Valentine’s dinner – there’s plenty to do! 

Delegate the jobs. You’ll need someone decorating the dining table, preparing the entre and main courses, setting the table, and making the dessert. 

A little effort to create a festive atmosphere can make all the difference.  

Consider floral touches with vases of fresh roses or carnations in shared spaces. 

On the table settings, use heart-shaped placemats, red-and-white napkins, and candlelight for a romantic vibe. 

You can also let the kids decorate windows with removable Valentine’s Day stickers or paper garlands. 

Outdoor fun – it’s still summer! 

Consider taking your celebration outdoors. The alfresco areas in Dennis Family Homes are ideal for dining, picnics, games and star gazing. 

These spaces are designed to seamlessly connect with your indoor living areas, making the transition between activities effortless. 

Homes that are perfect for family celebrations 

Simonds Homes prioritises comfort, space, and functionality – essential ingredients for family celebrations. 

• Spacious Open-Plan Living: Perfect for hosting activities like baking, crafting, or movie nights. 

• Elegant Dining Areas: Ideal for themed dinners and heartfelt conversations. 

• Alfresco Areas: Extend your celebrations outdoors without compromising on comfort. 

The Short History of Valentine’s Day 

Valentine’s Day has its origins in ancient Rome. 

The festival of Lupercalia was celebrated in mid-February, honouring fertility and love, featuring rituals to ward off evil spirits and bringing prosperity to couples. 

It was in the fifth century that it became associated with Saint Valentine. The story goes that Valentine was a Christian priest who secretly married couples after Emperor Claudius II banned marriage to build up his army.  

For doing this, Valentine was martyred and buried outside Rome on 14 February. His name has since been synonymous with love and devotion. 

Poets like Chaucer in the 14th century, who linked the day to courtly love in his writings, began to popularise Valentine’s Day in Europe. 

Exchanging cards, flowers, and gifts became common in later years, particularly in England and France. 

Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide as a day to honour love.  

Valentine’s Day movie recommendations 

These are always going to be subjective, but here’s a short list to get you started. 

• We Live in Time 

• Notting Hill 

• The Princess Bride 

• Crazy Rich Asians  

• When Harry Met Sally 

• Casablanca