For refreshments, cakes and ices may be heart shape, also tiny heart shape sandwiches and candy hearts with mottoes on them.
For a center piece a wax cupid with bow and arrow in the midst of flowers and foliage, with various sized red paper hearts scattered around.
A large heart shaped bag with the words, "There is something in my heart for you," printed on it, contains a valentine or a favor for each guest. The young host or hostess holds the bag while the guests march along and each one in turn reaches into the bag for a prize.
The following games are appropriate:—
ST. VALENTINE'S POST OFFICE
The players sit in a circle around the room except one who is selected for postman, blind folded and placed in the center of the room. Some grown person, who acts as Postmaster General giving each child the name of a city or town and standing in a position to see the players, begins the game by saying, "I have sent a valentine from Chicago to New York (or the names of any of the cities or towns given the children.)" The children representing these cities change places quickly, the postman trying to catch them or to sit in one of the empty chairs. If he is successful in either attempt the child who is caught or whose chair he has taken becomes postman, while the retiring postman receives a small valentine as his reward. A child who remains seated when his name is called must take the place of the postman.
CUPID IS COMING
The players seat themselves round the room, and one having announced "Cupid is coming," another questions, "How is he coming?" Whereupon everyone must in turn say "Cupid is coming amblingly" or "amiably," or use some other adverb beginning with "A." When every member of the company has mentioned an adverb, the game goes on by using adverbs beginning with "B," then "C," and so on until all the letters are used up, or the company prefers to change the game. Anyone failing to supply an adverb must pay a forfeit.
HEART HUNT
Candy or paper hearts are hidden in nooks and corners, behind bric a brac, curtains, etc. Heart shaped paper baskets, boxes or envelopes are given to each hunter, to put the hearts in. The one finding the greatest number of hearts receives a heart shaped prize, such as a box of bonbons, pin tray or cushion, photo frame, blotter, pen wiper, needle book, trinket box, etc. etc.