Valentine's Day and A Snowman's Smile

I am amazed how quickly the Christmas and New Year's holidays have come and gone.  With one deep breath it arrived and with the exhale we entered into a new year with our focus on Valentine's Day.  There is really no time to have "holiday let-down".  Of course, there was momentary sadness taking down the Christmas tree, but it did not last very long as smiles quickly returned when the Jim Shore salad plates were unpacked for the next celebration ---Valentine's Day.  

I am so happy to be participating in the first of many 2025 blog hops hosted by Rita from Panoply.  The Valentine's Day Tablescape Blog Hop is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2025.  Come join us and be  amazed at these tablescapes inspired by love and romance or, in my case, plenty of snowmen's smiles.  You will be wooed by some of the best tablescapes there are for such an occasion.   Listed at the end of this article are the links to each tablescape designer who is sharing their magnificent creation of this day of passion.  Enhance your viewing experience and grab a couple of rich chocolates and some hot and flavorful coffee and browse through these enchanting tablescapes that exemplify the heart-throbbing day.

If you know anything about living in Wisconsin in February, the weather can be cold and with plenty of snow.  Therefore, as a Wisconsinite, when I think of Valentine's Day, I think of love and hearts, but also snow and snowmen.  Let us see if you agree to mix the two........

Who wouldn't fall in love with these charming Jim Shore snowman plates?

The combination of denim blue and tomato red spells casual, playful fun like that of the bold colored snowmen and mixture of patterns.  Shouldn't snowmen (or that of building one) be full of winter fun?  I kept the white knit placemats on top of the denim blue placemats since it adds to the warmth that is usually needed to spend long hours outside sculpting and dressing a snowman with smiles.  

The centerpiece is a tea light holder in bright, bold metallic colors which closely displays the same happy  whimsical snowmen, like those on the Jim Shore plates.  The shiny centerpiece snowman is surrounded by greenery, a cobalt blue bow and little red puffed hearts.  

Of course, the metallic snowman centerpiece is surrounded by gifts, elves and ornaments, but he still holds such winter charm.

Each placesetting includes a snowman lamp/mug topper.  Even though they are advertised as lamp toppers, they make adorable mug huggers, each with their own position. 

Puffed hearts and snowballs are scattered throughout the table.  Whitewashed wood hearts serves as part of an embellishment to the red and navy blue plaid napkins neatly folded beside the dinner plates.  

With each placesetting, each unique snowman brings a smile.

Now it wouldn't be a complete celebration of Valentine's Day without a sweet dessert.  With all of the cookie baking for the Christmas holiday, it left me with less energy  to tackle baking and decorating a cake.  To save time, The Little Yellow Corner Store compromised and purchased a cake which could be decorated to showcase Valentine's Day. 

This simple chocolate fudge cake from Pepperidge Farm in the frozen area of the grocery store was the perfect selection.  This cake is basic, if any, in the decorations and is just the right size for the number of guests. 

Some vanilla frosting, strawberry filling, red Styx balls and sprinkles and topped off with red glitter heart embellishments have taken this cake into a whole new party celebration.  No hours in the kitchen baking and frosting the cake from the beginning.  A great time of time saved and still many smiles around the table.  

With a little more time, the cake could be decorated with more details, but this is all that I had on hand to take this cake from plain to a cake which celebrates love.  

Perhaps you now feel a little warmer and cheerful seated at this festive colored table even though the weather outside might be something very different.  Is it only the cozy temperatures or is it the sensation of love during Valentine's Day.  It may not be cupid, but certainly these cute little snowmen can bring a little love to the table.  The moist chocolate cake might also sweeten up the cold weather day.  Happy Valentine's Day!

And now..... saving the best for last are the truly stunning Valentine's Day tablescapes from the talented designers among the table designing world.  

Panoply - Valentine's Day: Birds of a Feather

Home is Where the Boat Is - Galentine's Tea Party

Everyday Living - My Love, My Valentine

Celebrating Everyday Life - How to Style a Romantic French-Inspired Table for Two

Hyacinths for the Soul - Whispers of the Heart

Pandora's Box - A Valentine Tea for Two

Me and My Captain - Cupid's Arrow 2025

Life and Linda - Ooh la la! A Parisian Tablescape

The Bookish Dilettante - Conversation Hearts for Valentine's Day

My Thrift Store Addiction - Vintage Style Galentine's Gathering

The Cat's Whiskerz - A Copper Inspired Valentine's Day Tablescape

The Little Yellow Corner Store - Valentine's Day and a Snowman's Smile

Corner of Plaid and Paisley - For All the Roses in My Life

The Painted Apron - Love Talk

Dinner at Eight - Artistry and Romance -- A Valentine's Table

Thrifting Wonderland - Creating a Romantic Thrifted Valentine's Tablescape

Belle Bleu Interiors - A Celebration of Love

Mantel and Table - A Valentine's Day Tablescape in Beautiful Blush and Peach