In the past I have gone a little too "all out" for little "hallmark" holidays (Valentines, St. Patty's etc) because it is just so fun for the kids. Well this year we are on a budget so I do not want to spend much at all but I still want it to be special for my kiddos. Does anyone have any suggestions for cheap but cool things to do for Valentines Day? In the past I have made trails of candy leading to a "jackpot" of toys and candy filled hearts. Still going to do the candy trail but I need something to put at the end that is cheap! Thanks!!
ETA My kiddos are 4, 7 and 9.
One of my friends had a special Valentine's dinner with the whole family. The had candles, ate on china and had sparkling cider in wine glasses. The kids thought it was really cool!
You could also make themed meals. You could have red fruit with heart shaped sandwiches. For dessert you could decorate sugar cookies.
How old are you kids? It depends on their ages what types of things I'd suggest for the jackpot.
One of my kid's favorite gifts this year (Christmas) was something I found at the dollar store. It was a set of "gift cards" that allows the child one hour of staying up past bedtime, one extra hour of video games, one night of a movie out with popcorn, etc. A DOLLAR! And you could even make a coupon bookm which is FREE! I have done that before with many family members and they loved it. With the kids I just made rules that I could "not accept" the card on school nights, etc.
After they have their coupon book - make cookies together.
I have very vivid memories of our valentine's day celebrations from when I was a kid. My kids aren't quite old enough for this, yet, but I will certainly be doing it.
It was very, very simple. Mom set the formal dining table. Their wedding china, silver, linen napkins and tablecloth. Candles. Everyone had a small gift, wrapped, at their place at the table.
And that was it. I think she cooked my dad's favorites - he wasn't into valentine's gifts - but it was the presentation that made it special. Honestly, I can't even tell you what most of the gifts we got were. But I remember the table. So there's the question: do you have dishes or linens or something special already, that the kids aren't usually allowed to use? Use them. It'll make the difference.
Trail the candy to the kitchen and have waffles and pancakes waiting, with LOTS of whipped cream :)
Well, we are not romantic like that, I do like the breakfast best. A fun thing could even be "Alaskan Waffles" I used to get this at a place in Vegas called Blueberry Hill. It was a giant belgin waffle with a scoop or two of vanilla icecream, strawberries, I think banana slices and whipped cream. You can use whatever you like for toppings, I think I would like peanut butter spread on the waffle with banana slices and a scoop of greek frozen yogurt mmmm... that just might be served at my house!
I'm just planning heart shaped pancakes and a big Valentines Cookie with icing.
I have taken a small something to the school for my girls - they loved it! And it's wasn't much - cheap bag - a chocolate rose, their fav candy and whatever I can find at the dollar store. They loved being called to the office and getting a surprise. I don't do it every year. But on my daughter's 16 - I took in a bag for her birthday - candy she could share with her friends at lunch, and a sub (she's gluten free and Erbert's and Gerbert's has a gluten free sub - she doesn't get it often, so it's a treat).
A couple of years I made a heart-shaped meatloaf...... I also topped it off with ketchup, and then took thin slices of green pepper and spelled out "I love you" on top...... kinda sappy, but it was still fun!
Make each part of dinner heart-shaped......use a cookie cutter to cut hearts out of bread slices, and top with a heart-shaped slice of cheese.... put under the broiler for just a couple of minutes until the cheese puffs up.... quick cheese sticks!
Make heart-shaped jello jigglers....
Kids each get 1 small box of chocolate and 1 spongebob marshmallow sucks. I may do a 'trail of converssation hearts' though so they can find their candy. Love that idea!! We're having a RED Dinner - burgers (red meat), red dip with chips and red macaroni and cheese by candlelight and then chocolate for dessert!!
I've always wanted to melt all different colored crayons in a heart mold. Well I did it this year and I love them. Take the paper off the crayons,, break them up and put various colors in a heart shaped or regular muffin tin. Then you put them in a preheated oven for 15 minutes, take them out, let them cool, give your kids sheets of paper and let them go at it. I even took construction paper and made paper pockets for each heart. You could put them in a small basket for the kids to find at the end of their candy trail. Happy Valentine's Day!
