Valentines Day – Love for the Whole Family

The Wine Mom  Monday, February 8, 2010

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Love is in the air this month, but not just romantic kind. I like to share the importance of love with my family, and Valentines Day is the perfect day to do that. When I was growing up, my sister and I always got a nice Valentines gift or treat. We looked forward to that day and celebrated it as a family. I have since carried on that tradition with my own family. Below I have listed some family friendly ideas for Valentines Day:

• Sit down with your kids and make Valentine cards for each member of the family. This is a great art project and will let the kids express their love individually.
• Plan a ‘fancy’ dinner at home on (or very close to) Valentines Day. Fancy doesn’t have to break the bank, but little things can make the dinner fancy. Use kitchen gadgets and table settings that you reserve for guests. Get out supplies like fondue pots, crème brûlée sets, punch bowls, or make the family’s favorite dinner.
• Make table settings out of art supplies and write special messages on each setting.
• A simple gift for each member (like chocolate) is a great touch.
• A glass of sparkling cider or juice is a nice addition that the whole family can enjoy.
• Have a small gathering of friends for a Valentine’s Day party.

Prep for the School Valentine’s Day Party:
• The Valentine’s Box can be made out of a shoe box and art supplies. My favorite Valentine’s Day memory is making a mailbox for all of my cards in elementary school.
• Hit your local party or dollar store. They have great holiday supplies for those of us on a budget. This is great if you plan to send treats or decorations to school for the big party.
• Of course, nothing says I love you like homemade cookies or baked goods. They are sure to please the entire family!

These ideas do not take weeks of planning, but will still show your family that you love them on this special day. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and love to all!