Forget the expensive (and high-calorie) restaurant meal, weekday Valentine’s are ideal for snuggling up at home at a candle lit (or fire-front) table for two.

Skip the PDA, private displays of affection are much more glamorous. (Not to mention, far less tacky.) Just be sure to dress up as if you were headed to the priciest resto in town.

Here’s what you need:

Champagne, Cranberry Juice and Fresh Strawberries. Mix the two drinks to taste and add a strawberry (greens removed, cut in half length ways) to garnish.

Filet of Beef and Organic Salad Greens for Steak Salad.  There’s an amazing recipe I swear by here. And yes, this is the main dish; being stuffed is not sexy.

Large Conversation Hearts and a Food Pen for naughty, edible love notes.

Pretzel Rods, White Chocolate Chip and Sprinkles to impress him with your “baking” skills. Simply melt the chips in the microwave, 60 seconds should do it, dip the rods in the chocolate and place on parchment paper to dry. Shake on a few sprinkles immediately and in about 15 minutes, your pretzels will be dry and ready to impress.

Two Breakfast in Bed serving trays and two comfy pillows to sit on. (I had this custom table made for side by side snuggling.)

If you have a fireplace, serve heart shaped marshmallows for roasting.

Happy Valentine’s Day, pretties!

How to plan and pay for your own spa party

For serial party hostesses like me, inspiration for a spa soiree can hit at any moment. I’ve thrown beauty bashes inspired by stationary, cupcake flavors, even songs… Mani Monday, anyone? But for most women, a spa party is driven by special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, babies and the like.

The “why?” easily answered, start planning your spa soiree by deciding where you’ll host it. Whether at home, at a spa or even at your favorite local boutique, the “when” for your event will be dictated by your schedule and that of your host location.

Your favorite spa or salon is likely to have party options to fit a variety of budgets and may even offer some amenities free of charge for groups – think appetizers and cocktails. But don’t be afraid to think outside of the box in terms of locations. Your neighborhood boutique may be willing to close their doors for you and your guests on a typically slow Monday evening. Same with a local makeup studio; some will offer private use of their space an even gratis makeovers on week nights. My company, PrettyCity.com, recently hosted a beauty bash for 500 women at Flirty Girl Fitness, pole dancing classes and manicures rounded off the fun, festive vibe.

Once you have your dubs — who, what, where, when — locked down, it’s time to set your budget. I’ll keep my financial advice to one jewel even Ms. Orman would approve of: Decide upon your budget and stick to it mercilessly. To that end, read on for some money-saving party tips that would make even Suze proud.

Skip the paper invites. Classic invitations can be lovely but when looking to cut costs, E-vites are effective and economical.

Ticings from Ticings.com

Do opt for DIY “gourmet” food. If the sky’s limit, pick upscale nibbles and sweets for your guests but if cash is tight, you can turn to DIY elements to make even economical eats appear gourmet. For example, if offering cupcakes bake your own and add a custom Ticing, thin sheets of edible icing printed with designs using food-grade inks. Priced at about $12 for a dozen, you can choose from ready-made Ticings or upgrade to customized designs at ticings.com.

Autumn Leaves and Acorn Fondant Cupcake Toppers

At TwoSugarBabies on Etsy.com, edible fondant cupcake toppers are available in designs including monograms, baby footprints, modern flowers and more and sell for $10 to $18 per dozen with custom designs also available.

Just say no to flower power; flowers are gorgeous but there’s room to save by decorating with fresh fruits, lollipop bouquets and even candy buffets which can serve as décor and dessert.

You can save and still splurge by picking up budget-buys on most items but offering up one luxe element. Akin to wearing a Hanes white tank with your Citizens Of Humanity denim, a well placed signature element can up the quality of your spa soiree without sending costs skyrocketing.

For example, at a recent spa party I hosted at my home, guests were greeted by martini glasses on a silver platter upon entering. Each glass was filled with several hues of nail polish and a sign that read, “Take a drink, you’ll need it.” After lunch, pedicures for all were the surprise du jour and those martini glasses were the signature element that guests still talk about.

I already owned the glasses, and still do, and the drugstore polishes set me back $2.50 a pop, proving that your party doesn’t have to break the bank to become the talk of the town.