Valentine’s Day has certainly changed over the years. I used to love getting dressed up in red, white or pink, going out for a nice dinner. Receiving flowers, chocolates or maybe even some jewelry. But now, when I think about Valentine’s Day I think about ways to make it fun for my family and ways to show and express my love for them. The romantic years were nice but WOW things have changed. This is the season of life we are in and being a mom has really taught me the true meaning of LOVE.
I wanted to write to share some ideas to encourage you to make some Valentine’s Day traditions and memories with your kids. They will love being included!
Since Valentine’s Day is all about love, it is a great opportunity to focus on just that. My two boys Avery and Archer, have that sibling type of love where one minute they are best buds and the next they are bickering. Since life is so busy I really want to be intentional and focus our time together to deepen that connection and to cherish our time together.
I’ll be totally honest, I feel like there is so much consumerism around ALL holidays, I wanted to really be mindful of giving gifts. I want my kids to have memories and traditions around Valentine’s Day and not make it about what they receive. This year will include homemade cards, love notes and time together as a family.
A few fun Valentine’s Day ideas to do with your family
Love Jar – write notes of things you love about each other throughout the month of February then read them together on Valentine’s Day.
Love Scavenger Hunt – Create and hide clues around the house for a fun scavenger hunt, perhaps the last clue could lead to something for dinner the family can make together
Love Themed Meal – Make a Valentine’s Day meal as a family. Heart-shaped pizza, or pancakes and eat like it’s a picnic in bed or in the middle of the living room. Don’t forget the candles!
Family Movie Night – Watch a romantic themed movie with Valentine’s coloured candy or chocolate in your popcorn.
Love Notes – Create and leave love notes for your children to find. Place them in their lunch for school, in their sock drawer, mirror, coat pocket etc.
Bake Cookies – I always loved baking with my mom and dad, and now that I am a parent I see how much patience it requires. The memories made are well worth it. My favourite cookies are shortbread so we will make heart shaped cookies and decorate them.
I *try* not to focus on candy as part of Valentine’s Day since I know the boys will come home from school with treats, not to mention what they will receive from Grandma! This wasn’t necessarily planned, but we have a left over Gingerbread house from the Holidays that we will build and decorate. They boys LOVED doing this at Christmas so we will build a Valentine’s Day Gingerbread House. Even in my attempt to not make it about sugar and treats, this will be a lot of fun for them!
However you celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family I’m sure you will create some lovely memories with your children that they will remember in years to come. Now that my boys are old enough to voice their opinions I will ask for their input so that they can be involved in how our evening together goes.
I’ll leave you with this, don’t forget to say “I love you.” You can never tell your kids that too many times but don’t forget your other loved ones.
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