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

I already posted, but due to technical difficulties...like me not reading your request thoroughly, I didn't share how we celebrate Valentines.
I like Valentines because it is a special holiday, but nobody really "expects" anything too grand. So, I like to focus on simple ways to show love...which generally means I make all foods they eat that day heart-shaped! I helps to have a great big heart cookie cutter. We'll have heart pancakes or even heart-shaped fried eggs...heart shaped sandwiches in the lunches, and then heart shaped ham for dinner, plus...some sort of pink dessert after dinner. These are easy memory makers!

Not a big holiday for me (guess that happens when you are single) but I do get little gifts for my boys. Barbara

The only "tradition" that we have is that my husband and I go to a Japanese Steakhouse for dinner every year. I'm sure we will be sure to do that again this year, because this will be our last V-Day without children. I'm due with our first just two weeks after Valentine's Day!!!

My husband makes me heart shaped waffles, takes me out to dinner, and spoils me rotten. Now that we have a son, I plan to start doing a valentine's date with him every year. I am still trying to figure out what tradition I want to do with him!

Our children are 12 and 19 and we started a tradition when they were young. We draw names and have to buy for that person. We also make a special dinner. We try to put the emphasis on the family love.

I live in a building with 200 people and I like to make red paper hearts and secretly slip them under peoples door to make them smile!

I try to surprise my friends and family with a little handmade card and some chocolates and/or conversation hearts (they're so traditional). It's just a little something to let them know that I'm thinking about them and love them.

I am excited this year my 3 yo is in preschool this year so I get to make valentines for him to give out.
The family usually just has dinner together and i get my son a cute valentines book.

A couple of years ago, I had just bought my cricket and my dh thought it was silly. But that Valentives he gave me a card that he had made using it. and now every year, we make each other a card using it. I also find some way to sneak a little love token into his work bag or poket for him to find sometime throughout the day. This year it will be a tiny hand blown glass heat paper weight that I picked up at a craft fair.

Well My BF and I also celebrate a anniversary on FEB 3rd, and so each year we trade off on who plans what event. It can be big or small- as long as it is from the heart. That is all that matters- we just celebrate eachother and what the other means to us :)
One year he supprised me with tickets to the symphony and a stay in a deluxe hotel in town. Or one year he Made me dinner- it was turkey burgers and beans- but he put a lot of love and effort into it and that is what counts :)

I don't have kids, but I have God-daughters. I make special Valentine cards for them. I also make cards for the rest of my family. Then, I make heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies to give. Tip - when putting the dough on the cookie sheet, you need to place two tolled tube-shape pieces at a right angle. That will retain the heart shape after the dough spreads out while baking.

When my boys were in Elementary school, we would make homemade Valentine's cards every year. My kid's cards were always the only handmade ones!! Wow...to have time on our hands again like that!
Now we just enjoy a great homemade dinner together. (and of course the boys get chocolate too)

I always give my 3 girls pajamas for Valentine's Day... and I usually cook a special meal too. VDay is also my mom's birthday, so growing up, that was the main importance of the day! It has been actually a little hard to remember that it's not only her bday! Last year I made my hubby a beautiful heart-shaped minibook, in a decorated heart box, and I did a heart punch art piece ala your butterfly project. It is one of my favorite things in our bedroom! :)

I always buy one of those little cheesy valentine candy boxes...just like my dad always left for us...and leave it at the table in the morning. This year I am going to let them decorate mailboxes for their valentines. Wal-Mart has white paperboard ones that include some sticker sheets for $4...I am planning on running back to pick those up today before they are all gone! Thanks!
Monica

We don't have any traditions yet - I'm getting neat ideas from the other commenters though!

The most special thing about Valentines day is that it often falls at a time when we are tightening our budget...so my husband has taken to making me something deliciously italian for dinner and we have a great family time together. Sometimes its a movie, sometimes playing, sometimes we just hang out around the table and have a chat. I feel totally and completely LOVED - which is the point, right?

I make cards for everyone I love to show them all how I feel, and for the last 3 years, I have organized a Valentine's swap with my friends so we can all be creative and share the love

I started a cookie and cupcake tradition with my daughter last year. We spend the weekend before valentines day to make and decorate the cookies and cupcakes. This year I plan on starting a v-day craft tradition with her as well. Maybe some decorated hearts as a gift to the grandparents. :)

My kids and I usually try to come up with a fun dinner and dessert we can make together for valentine's day.Mostly its about spending time together as a family for us. This year may be a little hectic though with baby #3 due around Feb. 11th.

We normally make chocolate chip pancakes in the shape of a hearts for valentines day. I have pictures of all my kids the first time they have them with chocolate smeared all over their faces. Normally my hubby makes me a card and the kids help. It's the one time I don't mind them getting into my scrapbooking supplies. You have a great blog, and tell great stories. Praying for your baby's safe arrival
Sarah