Alternative Theme Titles:

• A Heart for Christ
• Love One Another
• Be My Valentine
• God's Love Letter
• Love...The Greatest Gift
  
  Theme Verse Suggestions:
  
• "Charity never faileth..."   I Corinthians 13:8
• "...for God is love."  1 John 4:8
• "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."  1 Corinthians 13:13
  
  Devotional:
  
• "What the World Needs Now" by Julia.
• "Heart Smart" by Julia.
  
  Handouts:
  
•   Heart Check Up
•   Heart Study Questions
  
  Decorating Suggestions:
  
  Color Scheme
  Red and white or mauves, pinks, and creams.
  
  General Decorations
  
  Visit The CLM Gallery of submitted photos for this theme.
  
  This theme revolves all around romance so use lots of candles. This idea takes us to Italy so set up your tables like an outside cafe. Make a sign if you wish such as "Cafe -your church name-".
  
  You'll be dining under the stars so hang stars from your ceiling. You can use white twinkle lights, make white poster board stars, or purchase stick on stars. You'll find glow in the dark stick on plastic stars in kid's toy departments. If you have any decorative pedestals or columns on hand, place baskets of greenery or flowers on them by your doorways or around the banquet area. Use as many silk trees and greenery as possible.
  
  Check into Italian theme decorations at school supply stores.
  
  For The Tables
  Red and white check table cloths would work well. You can purchase the paper rolls of it at party supply stores. If you use plain white or red tablecloths, you can use the checked paper place mats (also available at party supply stores).
  
  Focal Point:
  Italian Backdrop with Gondola
  Make a romantic backdrop for your couples to have their pictures taken with. Use a background of a starry sky and a large arch. It could include a few buildings. To get an idea of the canals of Italy, do a little research and look at some photos. If you have the resources for someone to make a wooden backdrop for you to paint, that's great, but you can use installation foam board to paint your scene on. It's lightweight and easy to move around.
  
  I'm sure you probably don't have a gondola (long narrow boat used in the canals of Italy) just sitting around but a small row boat will do! Place a container or two of roses in the gondola. If it's an old boat, drape some material and a little lace over the seats and floor of it to perk it up (as people will have their good clothes on). Why not have someone dressed for the part with an oar in one hand to be on the gondola?
  
  Famous Italian Architecture Murals/Backdrops
  Make some backdrops with some of the great places of Italy. Sketch them out on paper covered panels. Here's some coloring book pages to give you some patterns and ideas.
  
  The Parthenon (from Bonus.com)
  Colosseum (from Bonus.com)
  Arch (from Bonus.com)
  
  Here's some places to visit to get the feel of Italy and get your ideas flowing:
  Tour Italy.org (They have a photo tour)
  Italia - Government Tourism Board
  
  
  Games and Ice-breakers:
  You'll find Valentines Games here.
  See the Icebreakers Index for more ideas.
  
  Music:
  Background Music
  Have some romantic Italian music playing softly or even a little Opera style. If you can't find anything appropriate, just find some soft instrumental piano music to play.
  Men's Serenade
  Have some of the men of your church get together and sing something romantic for the program in barber shop quartet style.
  
  Favors:
  
• Star Goody Pouches - Use white poster board cut outs, approximately 4 inches. Use a cookie cutter for the pattern. Lay circles of red/pink netting (10 or 12 inch) on table. Place star in middle. Add heart shaped candies or wrapped chocolates and bring up the sides of the tulle and tie with ribbons. Don't forget a hang tag with your theme verse or banquet info.
• Chocolate Candy - Any chocolate candies or heart shaped red hots tied up in tulle or cellophane with ribbons and hang tag of your event.
• Chocolate Roses
  
  See the Favor Index for more ideas.
  
  Just For Fun:
  
• Red Carpet Entrance
  Roll out a piece of red carpet (look for a remnant to get a good price on one) and have a red carpet entrance for all of your couples to walk in on. Have someone there to take their picture when they come in.
• Napkin/Bibs
  If you are serving spaghetti, purchase those large apron type big/napkins that tie for your guests. You can usually pick up a quantity of them for a reasonable price at party supply stores.
  
  Doorprizes:
  
• Gift Certificates for two to a local Italian restaurant
• Couples Devotional Book
• Box of Chocolate Candies
• Roses
• Book of Love Poetry
• Anything with hearts
• Popcorn and Movie Bowl - Popcorn, movie, etc. placed in a large popcorn bowl for container.
• Comfy Basket -One pair men's slippers, one pair women's slippers, two coffee cups, some specialty coffees, sprinkled with chocolates.
• Fruit of Love Basket - Basket filled with clusters of grapes (to feed to their spouses of course!)
• Tea for Two - Basket filled with two teacups and saucers, specialty teas, 2 novelty tea spoons, sprinkled in with chocolate kisses candy.
  
  See the Door prize page
  
  Skits:
  
• "Memories--Valentine's Day" (From Bob Snook)
  
  See the CLM Skit Links
  
  Food Suggestions:
  
• Lasagna
• Spaghetti
• Salad
• Anything Italian!
• Italian Recipes (chef2chef.com)

---

Copyright 2001-2007 Julia Bettencourt
This material is intended for your use as banquet and event ideas for your own local church. Permission is granted for printing for reference only. It should not be reprinted for any other reason or reposted on any other website or message/forum board.


  Valentine's Devotional & Theme Ideas
Valentines Day Page
Theme Index
Tools For Womens Ministry