Three Things + 1 : Lots of Love (and giveaways)

My mother-in-law (who is a widow) has in the past taken our son out for a date on Valentine's Day, letting my husband and me have a night out alone together.

Cool question, Ali. The day before Valentine's day marks the anniversary of when I moved in with my sweetie, and we started our life together. So we celebrate both of those occasions at the same time.
Every year, we do something different, but our celebration always includes overwhelming gratitude that I get to be with this man. There were so many Valentine's Days when I was alone, and I thought I'd never find him, so I always celebrate Valentine's Day feeling very, very lucky and blessed.

Our first Valentine's Day as a couple was spent being served a heart shaped pizza by his roomate in a dorm room decorated with crepe paper and balloons followed by a rice crispy cake with frosting and candy hearts on top. Our third Valentine's Day, the engagement ring was my present. Now, we always make a point to do something together for Valentine's Day. Some years it might be pizza and a movie, other years it's a weekend getaway. This year, it's tickets to the Opera - all his idea, by the way!

Homemade valentines, a treat at the table, and lots of love throughout the day are our tradition.

I buy fresh, heart-shaped ravioli and make a special dinner for my family. We started this tradition two years ago and now that I think about it, I really should capture it on a scrap page.

Every year since we got engaged on V day, my husband and I have a tradition of making dinner together, lighting some candles, putting on some jazz and enjoying each other's company. A laid back night to remind ourselves to slow down an remember why we chose each other.

now I am totally in the mood to create!! thanks for sharing ali!! Since our wedding anniversary is so close to valentine's day - we do a family dinner at home, lots of goodies, decorations and love.

I love Valentines Day! It is a family affair here. I always decorate the house while the kids and husband are gone, and they come home to their favorite meal, their favorite chocolates and a handmade Valentine from me. It is low key, but we all look forward to it every year.

Little Yellow Bicycle has been moving toward the top of my favorites list! I loved so many of their Christmas stuff, and when their Valentines line debuted, I knew I loved it as soon as I saw it! Nice to see those word strips/stickers--I hadn't seen what the entire sheet looked like.
Is it bad if I'm a spoil-sport re the question about valentines? I'm not a fan of the holiday. I have always bought cards for my kids to hand out but this year I hope to help them make their own. But really, it bugs me that our kids are celebrating a holiday about romance. It seems like another opportunity to get the American public to buy stuff. But that's just me...=)

Growing up Valentines Day was always started with a card and candy from my Dad. I still love getting his notes--so cute. Now with my husband, we celebrate at home. Last year he made me a heart-shaped pizza, so I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve this year!

Seven years ago my daughter was born on Valentines day. So, of course, we celebrate her birthday. That's the greatest gift of our love.

To be honest, we don't celebrate Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong I LOVE all the pinks, white, reds and emotions that surrounds Valentine's Day. Our tradition is to celebrate it on the 22nd...a choice my husband decided to do when we first made it "official" as boyfriend & girlfriend back on 02.22.00. AND we'll be celebrating my son's 2nd birthday on the 17th...he was my bestest Valentine's day present ever...3 days later. =)

I usually give my boys a small box of candy and then we go out to eat dinner as a family.
Thanks Ali!

oh I would LOVE to win. We all wear red or pink. I give the kids valentines books and prior to that we make (paint) our own valentines for grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins. This year I will be making stained glass heart sugar cookies for the kids friends. I made the stain glass trees for Christmas, but they only last about 5 days and with the below zero temps, I never got around to delivering them. You can find the recipe at: http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/stained-glass-trees?autonomy_kw=stain%20cookie&rsc=header_2

As my boys get older I wan tto make the day one they look forward to each year. I think I will make heart shaped mini muffins and use some cardstock and die cutter to make heart shaped placemats and decorations for their drink glasses. Probably make some heart sugar cookies and spend a few days before making daddy a special homemade valentine from his 2 little sweeties! Great giveaway!

Hubby and I usually go out to eat somewhere (sometimes during the day to avoid the crowds), in the morning I make the kids something Valentinish to eat.

For my children I pre-order very large, heart shaped cookies from our local bakery where they put their names on the individual cookie. They also get 2 small heart shaped chocolates. For dinner we will have either heart shaped pizza or pancakes. My husband & I usually celebrate with an extended date on another day.

We buy the girls something special. This year my oldes is getting a new charm for her charm necklace. And this year, I am planning a big family thing for us.
My husband and I don't do anything really special except for Valentine cards.

I'm the only girl in a family of boys, so Valentine's Day is for yicky girls stuff according to my trio. However, I do enjoy putting a few decorations out. And of course, I have to make heart shape cutout cookies decorated with frosting and sprinkles (just to annoy my boys)!

so many lovely things!
for valentine's day my twins and I usually make a dessert to share with 'daddy'. One year it was a giant heart shaped cake - this year I think it will be yummy cupcakes with pink buttercream and red sprinkles!