Is St. Valentine’s Day a “hallmark holiday”? Probably. Is it totally commercialized? Yep. A bit on the cheesy side? Maybe. Did the Catholic Church remove it from the liturgical calendar in 1969? Yep. Am I going to take advantage of a special day to express my love to my friends and family, anyways? You betcha.
My husband and I have never really done the romantic St. Valentine’s Day, but I do love any opportunity to shower my kiddos with a little extra love. My two love languages are gifts and quality time so I usually choose to do a few fun activities with the kids or as a family, as well as a small gift for each child. Here are 10 easy and fun traditions that you might enjoy doing with the littles in your life!
1. Festive Breakfast- Breakfast is such an easy meal to make festive. Pancakes can be colored with food coloring, topped with whip cream and sprinkles, or cut with cookie cutters! Or make heart shaped cinnamon rolls by unrolling canned cinnamon rolls and shaping into a heart. Decorate the table with some fun plates, cups and straws and you’re good to go!
2. A “fancy” dinner- Have everyone dress up and set a pretty table with real plates and candles. You can serve fancier food or a family favorite. Don’t forget sparkling juice to up the fancy level!
3. A small gift- I like to give each of my kids a small gift. The last couple of years I’ve given a book and a gift card for a one on one date. It’s not anything extravagant, but my boys look forward to getting a little surprise. You could also do a family gift like a game or puzzle to do together.
4. Family Movie Night- Have a fun family movie night with fun treats and cuddle up on the couch together. We’ve watched the Peanuts Valentine Special the last few years.
5. Love note- Words of affirmation are not something I’m really good at, but I am trying to write a little note to my kids each year to let them know what I love about them.
6. Love bomb friends/family- Spend some time showering friends and family with love. Write notes, deliver little packages or make videos as a family to deliver to loved ones.
7. Valentine Book Picnic- Grab a stack of love themed books and a few fun snacks to enjoy together. It’s usually too cold outside in February so we opt for a indoor picnic. Here’s a post with our top picks. Many of them are read on YouTube so you don’t even have to worry about library holds!
8. Bake together- Get in the kitchen and whip up something sweet. Sugar cookies are always a hit with my boys. A super easy way to make festive treats is to dip pretzels, Oreos or wafer cookies is almond bark and add fun sprinkles! Save a few for yourselves and then package some to share with others. Spread the love (and the sugar!)
9. Do some RAK together- Spend a little time spreading kindness together. Leave kind notes on cars, pay for a strangers coffee, shovel a neighbors driveway…there are so many ways! Challenge yourselves to do 14 acts of kindness as a family!
10. Heart shaped pizza picnic- Make homemade pizza or grab a heart shape pizza for a easy festive dinner. Toss a blanket on the floor and eat picnic style to make it even more special for the kids!
Do you have any Valentine’s Day traditions? What are your favorite ways to celebrate?
Megan
