In spite of the fact that we’re both adults, my mom and I still put together Valentine’s Day bags for each other that are loaded with goodies. While my bag is probably easy to compile, because I mostly just want to eat candy, my mother is a bit trickier. She’s not a sweets person, so I like to fill her bag with fun stuff like candles, pink pens and note cards, “smelly-good” lotions, and heart-themed items like kitchen dish towels or pot holders, or some cute gardening gloves (because Spring is just around the corner!).
— Sherry Hang
I’m not a big fan of Valentine’s Day, and usually don’t celebrate it. BUT, I am a fan of the kids crafting their own Valentine’s box during elementary school days. One of my favorite boxes was when my daughter and I turned a hat box into a turtle for collecting valentines. That was super fun. For me as a mom, my favorite day is the 15th. My husband will get me a box of half-priced chocolates and a bottle of wine. I love my frugal man and Momma loves her chocolate!
— Bonnie Jean Feldkamp, writer
For our writing station (totally a former teacher!), I put out blank cards and Valentine’s decorations. The kiddos make their own cards, draw, write messages, and then “mail” them. I bought a play mailbox that I put over by the table that they love to stuff with Valentine’s cards. We always make homemade heart-shaped pizza for dinner on Valentine’s Day as a family. I try and keep all of the kids’ lunches and snacks to a Valentine’s theme – cut the sandwiches into hearts, find heart-shaped pretzels … and I like to add a little note in the lunch box too. I usually cut out hearts and write on one each day why I love them up until Valentine’s Day, but this year with adding classes I didn’t have time to cut hearts … luckily, they didn’t notice! This year, we did the Love Languages and I am gifting them things that fit within their Love Language.
– Tina Pratt, writer
My sister’s birthday is on Valentine’s Day and my mom always made heart-shaped cupcakes and a heart-shaped cake. When my kids were younger, we made valentines with construction paper, markers, stickers, doilies, and glue. We exchanged them with cousins and grandparents. It was messy, but fun!
– Barbara David, columnist
We usually go on a family date! We do lunch and a movie/activity. Then my husband and I will have our movie/later dinner thing at home when the boys are in bed. I really like to teach the kids moments of kindness in every month … but I’m finding with being more mindful myself, I am taking more time to explain to them what we are doing and why. For example, giving a homeless man an extra granola bar and juice box off the highway exit, surprising our sweet nutritional aide with a special prayer box after a hard day with a flat tire … just to reinforce that these are kind, extra special things we can do in our lives to make others happy and in return fill our hearts with even more love.
— Shelbie Todd
