I've never celebrated Valentine's Day, I think it's just a cheesy excuse for the card companies to make money. That being said, I'm also not a terribly "romantic" person. Sure I love a nice dinner or going out to a movie, but the whole flowers/candy junk is lost on me.
I'd like to do something for the hubby this year though. He's Mr. Romance. He loves a long night of cuddling, watching movies and just spending time with me and the kids. He'd rather sit home reading with the kids or playing board games than being out with the guys at the bar (am I lucky or what!), but I really don't know what a good gift would be for him? Babysitters are very hard to come by for us, and money is tight, so I'd really like something I could do for him here at home. Any suggestions? I'm at a total loss in the "sentimental" department. :|
How about a after the kids go to bed late candle light supper, you could make his favorite dish and dress in something sexy, most guys like that.
Have a great valentine's night!
Hi J.! I love the book "The Story of Valentine's Day" by Nancy Skarmeas. It's a board book in the kids section at barnes and noble.
It tells the story of how the holiday came to be. I think that since you and your husband like to spend time as a family, reading this book or just the story of valentines day from the internet might be a nice celebration of love for your family.
When I was first a SHM I didn't want to spend money but wanted to do something nice for my husband, so I made heart-shaped cookies for him, which he loved. I had a hard time finding cookie-cutters but finally did at Cooks on (of?) Crocus Hill. I think Target usually has them but that year didn't!
Good luck
Another idea is to make a coupon book?
Examples:
Good for one back rub
Good for feet rubs
Good for any dinner you want
And so on. Thats what I did for fathers day or father's birthday gifts when I was little and obviously no income. :)
J.,
It is simple....write out how you feel. Reflect on good memories of the past prior to children and now. Tell him how u r thankful for him not only for u but, for the way he is good with the kids. Write a poem or fold a piece of paper as a card or even have the kids do some art work and then write the poem or thoughts on top.
Best wishes to u and yours!!
A.
make some different sized hearts and tie different lengths of string to them. hang them all over from ceiling over your bed as a canopy.
clean the room spotless and light candles and have music.
its a bit cheesy but my husband loved it because of the time it took for me to do it. (im sure he also loved the "non" price tag of it)
also another idea to help on the cash side of it. after a few yrs we decided not to celebrate valentines day on feb 14th. instead we celebrate it on sept 13th which is the day we got engaged.
it helps cut down on the "commercialization" of the event and focus' on the real reason. its so much cheaper to buy things or go places "off season". example- dozen roses go from $50-$75 to only $10-$20 , restraunts arent booked and it also for us happens to be off season for travel too so we have taken a couple of weekenders and the cost is minimal compared to valentines day.
hope this helps
K. :)
My sister and her husband are not into V day either. So they have made a ritual of every V day doing a picnic at home on the living room floor. She bought a very cute picnic basket and blanket and it is very romantic for them.
Hi J.
Last year I made my husband a t-shirt with my kids hand prints on it. He loves it and wears it all the time even in public which I think is so cool. Good luck T.
How about a nice hot bath followed by a candle lit massage and chocolate covered strawberry's to set the mood. All of which you will want to do once the kids go to bed.
Get a romantic DVD that you can watch with him and the children then hope for some alone time when the kids are in bed.
You might also check into babysitting co-opos to be sure to get that one on one time with him. Some churches have this program.
You could make a scrap book or picture album filled with lots of pictures of those he loves you and your kids. Write sweet little messages and stuff.
You can make him his favourite dinner and have the kids help (as much as they can); you can make heart-shaped cupcakes (molds are sold cheaply in grocery stores) and have all the kids participate in decorating them. My husband loves when our kids make cards for him since it's so personal and you don't need special supplies for that. You can even trace your handprints in coloured paper, cut them out, and paste them on a larger heart overlapping the little ones on top of the larger ones for something different. Really it's the thought that counts and it sounds like your husband would really appreciate that.
Good luck and have fun!
S.
