A Little Love Goes a Long Way

All holidays can be expensive to celebrate—Valentines Day is a prime example. But Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance; it’s about expressing love. It’s also a great time for families to express that love in ways that might seem awkward or “too mushy” to do during the day-to-day routines of regular life.

When I was a little girl, my mother always made Valentine’s Day (and St. Patrick’s and all the “little" holidays) feel special. One year we had pink cupcakes for breakfast that said “I (HEART) you” on them. Another year dinner was served on heart-patterned paper plates with matching napkins. There was always a sense of excitement and feelings of being extra loved all day long, and here I am thinking about it, all these years later.

As I look back, I realize how simple and inexpensive her actions were, but they made a big impact and lasting memories. Staring with those sweet early memories, I’ve learned that loving and being loved can be shown in many, simple, memorable ways. It doesn’t matter if you are a single parent (or just single for that matter), or if the kids are grown—or romance is a distant memory. Diamonds, chocolates and flowers aside, here are some creative ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day and get the whole family involved in this day of “Love.”

1) A week before Valentine’s Day, draw names for "secret" Valentines within the family. Put a limit ($5 to $20) on how much each person can spend. It’s a great way for kids to get excited about and thinking of ways to please others and learn the fun of giving.

2) On Valentine’s Day, plan a family breakfast or dinner. Go around the table and have each person say one thing they love about the person sitting to their left. A parent can start it by saying something like, “One of the things I love about you, Zach, is that you are kind,” or, “You take out the trash without a fuss and that means a lot to me.” When that’s done, do it over again to the right. Simple or silly as it sounds, it feels good to have someone acknowledge our good qualities and efforts. It also reinforces and encourages those qualities and instills a sense of pride. While most family members have no problem acknowledging each other’s faults on a daily basis, most of us never stop to point out the good stuff.

3) Make Valentines cupcakes with personalized messages inside and send them to school with your child for a lunch dessert Write an "I love you" message and fold it up fortune cookie-style. After baking the cupcakes, take a small knife and carve a hole in the top of each cupcake. Insert notes and fill top with cut out, cooked batter. Frost. It’s a fun surprise kids love.

4) Have a Valentine scavenger hunt with your kids. Dollar Tree has an amazing variety of Valentine-themed pencils, activity sets stickers, toys and candy. Average cost is $5 per child. For $20, you can make it a party, complete with Mylar balloons and individual goodie bags. Take the Valentine items and put them in strategic places in and/or outside your home. Have the kids do the hunt together. Start by handing them a “clue” in the shape of a Valentine. It could say something like, “Roses are red, Violets are blue, Rover’s dog bowl holds the next clue.” Have stickers under the bowl for each child along with next Valentine clue. On the last clue, say something like, "Valentine, you sure are cute. That’s why your Valentine is near your boots!” Have a box of Valentine candy or a small gift in their closet, or wherever they keep their shoes. For more Valentine’ Day games go to Family Fun.

5) Make old fashioned Valentines with your kids. Remember those? Red construction paper, paper lace doilies, gold glitter, a pair of safety scissors and Elmer’s glue can make some beautiful cherished Valentines for friends and family—for about $5. Beats the heck out of those boxes of scrawny, tiny half cards (without enough glue on the envelopes to seal properly), which are sold at stores today. Go to eHow for some easy and beautiful Valentine projects.

Browse the photo gallery for more Valentine’s Day activities and crafts.

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