We have done many things over the years to celebrate Valentine’s Day in our home. I love to get dressed up and go out with my husband for dinner; and do some special things to make it special for the children.
Sometimes, we get a chance to make a special meal. All of this takes a little bit of planning, but is very special when executed!
There are SO many things we can BUY to add to the holiday fun. But I really like to be creative and make things by hand. Mainly because I want my kids to eat healthier foods than most of the packaged junk out there. Yes, we do enjoy packaged things at times. But homemade is so much better!
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Homemade Valentine’s Day Food
Breakfast
For breakfast, I have made what I call “birds nest’s” with a heart cut out of the middle, and an egg cooked int he hole. These are super simple and the family members, that eat eggs, enjoy them.
I have made heart pancakes many times over and over. This is a favorite and pretty easy as well.
I have also made bacon into X’s and O’s. Just by shaping them a bit when they are still soft and pliable. This adds for a fun little twist!
Yogurt bites are really easy. You just use your favorite yogurt and raspberries or chopped strawberries or even blueberries. I mix the fruit with the yogurts and place them in little heart ice cube trays and freeze. They are ready pretty quick and are a nice little sweet treat. I have used coconut yogurt for these as well as a non-dairy option.
Lunch
Sometimes for lunch, I make a Valentine’s Day bento box. I often grab multi grain or rice crackers. Then I use a heart cookie cutter or letter cutters to cut cheese slices into hearts or X’s or O’s. I also have cut salami, pepperoni or any other lunch meats to include.
One year, I made ham and cheese heart sandwiches. These are so cute and can really be versatile-any sandwich you like! Just cut out with a heart cookie cutter. The extra pieces end up being my lunch! Just how it goes as a parent when you’re trying to make everything fun. I don’t even mind.
Sometimes I’ll include fun drinks, whether it’s lemonade with strawberry slices, a special pink or red drink that we don’t normally have or something similar.
There are days when I put a little note in their lunches. On holidays I really try to add a note because its just more fun! Whether it’s a fun joke, a little game or just a little card. Something extra special for the kids. One year for lunches, I put together little carrot hearts by cutting a baby carrot in half and then making them into a heart by adding a toothpick. Just another way to get a vegetable into their lunch in a special way for Valentine’s day.
I also used letter cookie cutters to cut cucumbers and made a heart peanut butter and jelly sandwich uncrushable
I typically don’t buy candy throughout the week so the holidays are a special time where we get to have a few of those candies. On Valentine’s Day I usually buy one small bag of conversation hearts. I’m not sure that everyone of my children like them and I’m not sure that I really like them we still grab a bag! I add these into their lunches or snacks for a few days. One bag of candy for the week of Valentine’s Day is just perfect for our family.
Homemade Valentine’s Day Table
I really love decorating our table for Valentine’s Day. To have it decorated beautifully when the kids wake up or when they come home from school is a special way to surprise them. I often use a runner and special napkins. One year I added some red heart confetti!
When I go to prepare for each Valentine’s Day. I pull out what I already have. I often times gather ideas from Pinterest and buy just a few things each year to add to our collection. Sometimes, I will invest in special plates or vases. Sometimes I will just buy paper plates or cups. Each year is different, depending on what else is going on and how much time I have to put towards this holiday. I always try to add in a few candles when I can. Beeswax candles are my all time favorite!
I have used large red hearts and doilies and paper napkins to spruce up the table. I have used glasses and name cards and flowers to add to the decorations. At times, I made a candy vase and add conversation hearts for decoration.
We began, years ago with the tradition that Brian will put together a gift for the girls and I, and I will put together a gift for Liam and him. Brian typically includes flowers for the girls so I have a place a vase at each of their table settings. Then, we place each other’s gifts at their spot at the table. Years ago I created a “seating chart” as it was easy to set the table every day with specific drinks or vitamins if I already knew where each child was sitting. This also helped with some behavior issues at the time. We have kept those seats for years.
The gifts we get each other are typically pretty small along side a Valentine’s Day Card. The children have added their little Valentine’s as well! It’s just a sweet little time to think of one another. The children LOVE to have something for each person in our family. It’s so precious! I often find them make a card or craft in their room or wrap up an eraser or small toy to regift. I love their hearts for giving!
One year, I put together fruit cups in champagne glasses topped with a sugar rim. This was a fun little way to serve the fruit. First using a simple syrup to dip the rim in, then dipping in a colored sugar to top it off. Just carefully adding chopped fruit to finish the product. The children thought it was very fancy.
One of my favorite treats are chocolate covered strawberries. I really don’t mind making these as they can be a bit pricey if purchased. I really like to make them with dark chocolate since I don’t tolerate dairy very well. This is the dark chocolate I prefer, Enjoy Life.
Homemade Feel for Valentine’s Day
When I look back at photos of Valentine’s Day, I realize the table is the special spot because so much of what we do is sit around the table with each other. I love to give that area my time and effort.
Will you use any of my ideas for this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration with your family?
Here are a few of my Valentine’s Day tools I have used over the years:
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