This past year has reminded us a lot of how we felt not too long after we graduated college, settled down with our husbands, and began our adult lives. We were doing our best to adjust to majority of our days spent without friends after having lived with them and doing life with them on the daily. We seemed to be lacking social opportunities and longing for deeper connections. Nurturing friendships in college seemed like an effortless task. However, after leaving our college towns and settling close to home, it felt as if we had lost those abilities somewhere along the way. And now, while enduring a global pandemic, we’re finding ourselves battling a similar struggle.
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission (at no cost to you!) should you choose to make a purchase using our links. It’s okay – we love these products, and hope you will too!!
The last year has seemed to take so many social opportunities away from us. All of the relationships we’ve been tending to have seemed to slip just slightly away while routine gatherings have been cancelled one by one. Special occasions were spent apart and random dinner parties became a thing of the past. And as we found ourselves doing life without those we love, we began to think of that unique time after college. How did we form and nurture friendships when life as we had known it had drastically changed?
What we discovered is that building connection requires intention and action. It’s a matter of making it a point to reach out and extend an invite; to offer a place to retreat to and connect. Furthermore, it reminded us of what it doesn’t require. It doesn’t have to be a large gathering or an overplanned affair. Instead, the moments that bring us closer together are usually more intimate and almost always messy, both figuratively and literally speaking. It’s when we allow ourselves to be most vulnerable, that we break down barriers and make the connections our hearts desire.
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we wanted to do something different this year to help nurture relationships, whether they’re intimate, familial or friendly. This year, we are sharing 7 Valentine’s Day Entertaining Essentials to help build deeper connections. The best part is they’re simple to implement and something you can practice all year long.
7 Valentine’s Day Entertaining Essentials to Help You Build Deeper Connections
1. Connecting Over Coffee – Coffee Mugs
What’s better than enjoying a cup of coffee together? It allows you to share the same hot, soothing beverage while letting down barriers. Holding a cup of hot coffee in your hands brings a sense of warmth and comfort that allows you to open up and engage in meaningful discussions. Additionally, sipping a cup slowly seems to slow life down around us which further enhances conversations.
Shop Our 2021 Picks
Where to Enjoy a Cup of Coffee on Valentine’s Day to Build Deeper Connections:
- Curled up on the couch
- Swinging on the front porch
- Next to an outdoor fire pit
- At the table with breakfast or dessert
2. Cozy Things Up – Throw Blankets
One of the most versatile Valentine’s Day entertaining essentials is a throw blanket. Whether you use it for style or function, a throw blanket adds warmth to any space, and when a space feels warm, people feel more comfortable in their environment. When comfort is achieved, you can expect deeper connections to be made.
Shop Our 2021 Picks
How to Incorporate a Throw Blanket on Valentine’s Day to Build Deeper Connections:
- As a table runner or table throw to invite guests to sit and stay awhile
- Set near outdoor furniture to encourage loved ones to cozy up
- Draped over the couch for a movie night in with a bowl of freshly popped popcorn
3. Light the Flame – Candles
Candles are one of the easiest ways to create ambiance in a space. The flicker of the candlelight and the soft glow it produces creates a warm and welcoming place to connect. Candles are known for their soothing effects and can help reduce anxiety and create a peaceful environment so meaningful moments can be shared.
Shop Our 2021 Picks
Where to Place Candles on Valentine’s Day to Build Deeper Connections:
- On the entry table
- On the coffee table or on an end table near the couch
- Down the length of the table
- On a patio or porch table
- On a mantle or console
- On the kitchen counter or island
4. Wine and Dine – Dinnerware
Dinnerware is an important Valentine’s Day entertaining essential because it suggests a meal be shared together, and some of the best conversations happen over a good meal. Sharing a meal provides a more relaxed opportunity to have meaningful conversations. Additionally, it allows people from all walks of life to come together while providing an opportunity to strengthen ties. Furthermore, research suggests that communal eating increases one’s feelings of wellbeing and contentedness and enhances social bonding.
Shop Our 2021 Picks
How to Set Dinnerware on Valentine’s Day to Build Deeper Connections:
- Set individual placesettings specifically for each individual to enjoy
- Create a deconstructed look with stacked plates towards the center of the table to encourage interaction (i.e. passing plates)
- Create a self-service station near the table with stacked plates to encourage relaxed movement throughout the space
5. Tie in the Theme – Heart Pasta
Heart-Shaped Pasta
We’ve already shared how important a shared meal is, so what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with heart-shaped pasta and a hearty, home-cooked, or halfway homemade pasta sauce?!
Ways to Serve Heart-Shaped Pasta on Valentine’s Day to Build Deeper Connections:
- With marinara sauce
- With meat sauce
- With pesto
- With alfredo sauce
- With olive oil and garlic
- With clam sauce
6. Pass the Pitcher – Pitchers
Since one of the most important places for connection is at the dinner table, it’s important to find ways to maximize your time around it. One of our favorite #HostfulHacks is to fill a pitcher of water and keep it at the table to be passed around as needed. This way no one has to get up during dinner to refill their glasses.
Shop Our 2021 Picks
What to Fill Pitchers with on Valentine’s Day to Build Deeper Connections:
- Water (always have a pitcher of water on hand whether you’re serving any of the options below or not)
- Iced or Sweet Tea
- Juice or Lemonade
- Sangria
- Specialty Cocktail
7. Cheers to Connection – Champagne Coupes
Whether you’re serving alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic beverages, champagne coupes have the ability to elevate any Valentine’s Day celebration. A champagne coupe encourages toasting to celebratory moments, both big and small, and celebrating a common theme is an easy way to help even complete strangers connect.
Shop Our 2021 Picks
What to Toast to on Valentine’s Day to Build Deeper Connections:
- Life
- Health
- Loved Ones
- Friendship
- Love
- Time Together
- Answered Prayers
- Big Wins
- Small Wins
- Nourishment
- Shelter
- Safety and Security
- Lessons Learned
- Fresh Air
- Laughter
- Sunshine
- Sunrises
- Sunsets
- Oceans
- Kindness of Others
- Music
Leave a Reply