"Q: My husband and I usually go out to a nice restaurant on Valentine's Day, but this year I'd like to celebrate at home. Any suggestions on how I can make the night special?"

": Why not host a Valentine's Day dinner party for a group of close friends? I have to confess that Dan and I are the worst when it comes to finding creative ways to spend this romantic holiday. So when my friend Barb invited us to a party at her home, we were thrilled."

"So many people tell me that they'd love to entertain more often, but they are afraid that pulling together a party will take an exorbitant amount of time, effort and money. Believe me, this does not have to be the case. Here are some tips."

"First, call in reinforcements. Barb coaxed her daughter into designing menu cards and helping serve. And she asked several friends to make dishes for the dinner and to come early to help."

"Second, decorate a few key areas to create drama in little time. Since Barb decided to have guests gather in her sunroom before dinner for cocktails and appetizers, she focused her decorating efforts on the serving table. To make the table shine, she hid a string of Christmas lights under some shimmering, translucent fabric. A large silver tray held wine glasses and the appetizers were a work of art on a silver tray perched atop a tall glass pedestal."

"She decided to set the dining table several days in advance so she could take her time."

"Barb started each place setting with white linen placemats and napkins embellished with gold, which she borrowed from a friend. Next came red plastic chargers she got for a steal at an after-Christmas sale."

"She used gold-rimmed china she had found at an estate sale, her daughter's cut-glass salad plates and a mix of antique stemware passed down from her mother-in-law."

"Everywhere I looked, I was treated to new delights and surprises. Instead of using a vase for her floral
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