Love is in the air as Gary and Kelly Hollis celebrate their 15th anniversary with a dinner party for themselves and their closest friends. Host Heidi Bohay joins professional party planner Cindy Hassle of S & R Originals to show how she creates a romantic mood for the party with just the right combination of color and light, as well as food and drink that is thoughtfully prepared. Valentine's Day is not the only cause for romantic celebration: anniversaries, weddings and engagements also present the opportunity for commemorating the love that two people share. Whatever the occasion, Hassle says that setting an atmosphere of loving thoughts and warm wishes is important when celebrating the romantic times of our lives. She highlights some of the decorations that will help make this day special: - Multicolored balloons and curly streamers are hung around the room to set a festive tone for the party (figure A).
- A wire heart frame is adorned with twinkling Christmas tree lights and fastened to a window to emphasize the romantic mood (figure B).
- A heart-shaped wreath is fashioned to complement the window decoration (figure C).
- Candles of various shapes and sizes are integrated into pictures and bookshelves to create a warm, cozy and romantic atmosphere.
- Fresh floral arrangements on the table fill the room with heady scents that commingle with candlelight to achieve the perfect environment for celebrating love (figure D).
- Leave a different party favor at each place setting around the table. Such romantic favors include potpourri, heart-shaped soap, bath lotion and scented bath oil and body lotion (figure E).
- Grandmother's china adds an elegant touch to the table along with lovely napkins and napkin holders (figure F).
Hassle shares some gift ideas for the guests of honor. Along with other suggestions, she shows how traditional gifts for anniversaries can translate into contemporary items perfect for romance. - Consider creating a memory album for the celebrating couple. Each guest can gather photographs that have personal meaning both for themselves and for the couple. The memories can be written down on the back of each photo or on another piece of paper and then collected in an album to present to the guests of honor. This is a unique way of sharing thoughts about love and the relationship that can be cherished for years to come.
- Paper is the traditional gift for a first anniversary, and stationery is a lovely and practical gift to celebrate this first milestone.
- For a third anniversary, the traditional gift of leather can be expressed with something as simple as this box (figure G).
- This happy massager can be given on the fifth anniversary, when a wooden gift is specified (figure H).
- For a 15th anniversary, anything from champagne flutes to decorative frames will fit the bill for traditional gifts of crystal.
- Plenty of romantic silver gifts, such as candleholders or statuettes, are available for celebrating a 25th anniversary. These gifts are as sterling as the relationship that has weathered the years.
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