For almost every trend there is a counter trend and this will certainly be true for Valentine’s Day 2017. While we’ve chosen a sophisticated Long-Distance Romance theme geared for adults in our upcoming Spring Forward 2017 forecast, there’s also a sweeter, retro one afoot for next year. It’s bound to give greeting cards and décor a quaint, playful styling we haven’t seen in decades.
Suitable for kids’ Valentine greetings and more platonic relationships, this cute-as-a-button throwback features angelic-looking children and domesticated animals rendered in a style evocative of 1920s-30s advertising.
Ruddy-cheeked kids seem to stand in for traditional Valentine’s Day cupids with this theme, dressed in heart-covered clown suits reminiscent of harlequins. And, while they may come with such old-fashioned Valentine’s Day messages as “To my Valentine” and “Be mine”, these figures can be made more suitable for today’s platonic exchanges with greetings like, “Celebrating You” and “To my BFF.”
This is a trend that doesn’t rely on anything as expensive as a dozen roses. Rather, Forget-me-nots and Dwarf Daisies suit it best. And simple decorative details like piping, crimped-ribbon trim, scalloped edges, pompoms and ruffle collars will keep it suitable for kids, friends and coworkers.