Inexpensive Valentine Mood-Setters

(CBS)  When you add up the flowers, candy, dinners and all the other typical aspects of Valentine's Day, it can get pretty expensive.

But it doesn't have to be.

It's easy to have a romantic day, even if you're a little short of cash right now.

On The Early Show Friday, celebrity event planner David Stark shared some simple ideas to help set the right mood without blowing out your budget.

His ideas don't require hard-to-find items or a ton of money. Most of the items can be bought at local drugstores, grocery stores or crafts sections of discount stores.

The ideas involve looking at the ordinary things with a different eye.

Stark says you shouldn't be turned off by candies or other Valentine's Day-day related items in bad packaging. Remember: You can always take things apart and reuse them the way you want to.

The most common mistake most people make with flowers, Stark says, is sticking them in a vase without cutting them. People don't realize they can and should cut the flowers. The key is to make sure the arrangement is one-and-a-half times larger than the vase.

Stark notes that grocery stores have gotten better over the last few years, so buying flowers from them doesn't carry the stigma it used to.

He suggests going outside the roses category, since they cost so much during this holiday season. Instead, be creative, go outside the box, and pick other flowers that still make a statement.

Stark showed three centerpiece ideas sure to please.

Customize your centerpiece vase with Valentine's wrapping paper and ribbon from the drugstore, craft store or supermarket. It's easy to take a standard glass cylinder and convert it into a beautiful luminary by using simple wrapping paper.

Think about using fruits in your centerpiece. Create an inventive bouquet using supermarket flowers, fruits, and skewers. Incorporate the finished vase idea above, except instead of placing candles inside the wrapped vase, put the bouquet there

Use candy, don't just give it! Creating a fun centerpiece with supermarket-bought flowers, candy and wrapping paper. Fill clear glass vases with Valentine candy and incorporate a beautiful flower or two. It's extremely simple, but can be truly beautiful. Consider the way candy stores display their candy when you use candy with flowers. Don't be afraid to show them off!

[timbetgrimes]

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