Share the LOVE today!
Have a candle light breakfast (heart shaped pancakes, special cereal, or any other favorites) Set the table with your nicest dishes and make a toast to love :)
Leave love notes around the house for children to find throughout the day. Hide some in their dresser drawers, shoes, coat pocket, under their pillow…etc. On each note list one thing you love about them.
Make homemade chocolates and heart shaped cookies together to deliver to family friends and neighbors…and for your family to munch on too, of course.
Here’s a fabulous favorite of ours:
Cookie Dough Truffles
1/2c butter, softened
3/4c packed brown sugar
2c all-purpose flour
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2c miniature semisweet choc chips
1 ½ pounds semisweet choc. candy coating, (We like the wafers from Wegmans!)
In mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add flour, milk and vanilla; mix well. Stir in choc chips. Shape into 1 inch balls; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 1/2 hour or until firm.
In microwave safe bowl, melt candy coating, (on 70% power for 2-3 minutes stirring often until smooth.) Dip balls in coating; place on waxed paper. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. Drizzle some left over melted candy coating on top of candies for decorative purposes. Store in refrigerator.
They’re fabulous.
Check out several Valentine-themed books from the library, lay on the floor with some blankets….kick off your socks and read!:
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, by Eileen Spinelli
Valentine's Day by Anne and Lizzie Rockwell
Queen of Hearts by Mary Engelbreit
Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane de Groat
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Max’s Valentine by Rosemary Wells
Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll
Love Splat by Rob Scotton
Check out some Valentine-themed movies, pull out the ol’ sleeping bags.. pop some popcorn and enjoy:
Be My Valentine Charlie Brown
Lady and the Tramp
Berenstein Bear’s Cupid Surprise
Alvin & The Chipmunks- A Chipmunk Valentine
Franklin’s Valentine
Beauty and the Beast
Plan a Treasure Hunt where clues (or a map) are given to lead them to a hidden Valentine treasure. The treasure may include a box of everything to throw a V-day party: Heart Balloons, Box of Cake Mix, A heart baking mold (found at the dollar store) frosting, sprinkles, and a game.
Or
Goody bags containing pencils, erasers, puzzles, and other Valentiney things.
Invite a friend or neighbor over for a V-day Picnic Lunch. Lay a blanket in your living room and serve Heart shaped sandwiches, Apples, and Fruit Smoothies!
Feelin’ crafty? I don’t have much to offer in this department….but check out these sites:
http://www.makingfriends.com/valentine.htm
http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/valentine.html
Start a tradition with the Valentine Pinata!
Have a ‘cake’ walk in your living room with numbered hearts. Use stickers, conversation hearts, or other small items as the prizes
Valentine Pictionary: Take turns drawing items on paper, while others guess what you are drawing. Switch it up a bit, and try drawing some items with your eyes closed, with mittens on, with your toes, with the paper on your head…etc.
Decorate Daddy’s Domain. If Dad has an office, closet or special side of the bed…decorate it with homemade Valentines and heart cut outs!
Steal him away on his lunch break, blindfold him and take him to a surprise destination for lunch.
Stage your dining room like a fancy restaurant and act as the waitress, with pad and pen in hand. Tell them what’s on the menu, and make up fancy names for the drink options. Play soft music in the background and check in often making sure they’re enjoying their meal and that you’re meeting their high class dining needs.
(Don’t forget to dress up nice and have them dress up as well)
Make a story box. On several slips of paper, write phrases that will trigger your memory about different phases of your life,such as:
"My first day of school
When you (your child) were born
My first job
My most embarrassing moment
My family vacation etc."
Fold these slips of paper and put them into a heart shaped box. Give it to your child and tell them each night before bed they may pick one, and that will be the story you’ll share.
End the night with a dance party. Be sure to bring glow sticks!
