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

It's always a tradition in our house that Daddy gets the girls a new stuffed animal of some sorts. They keep them all too! I love to make everything heart shaped (from pancakes to sandwiches) and we always do handmade Valentines.

My husband and I usually exchange cards and little treats and go out to dinner. This year my little guy will probably get a little treat, too. Maybe he'll get a rare evening with a babysitter, too. :-o

Several years ago I splurged at Home Goods and bought Valentine dishes. I make a fancy and sometimes "heart shaped" dinner for our family and we eat in the dining room by candlelight. I have favors every year at the table - everything from heart shaped chocolate suckers to valentine pajamas are gifts that are at their places. When they were littler I made heart shaped hamburgers and to this day my daughter asks me to form her hamburger in a heart shape when we have them for dinner.

I started making my husband mini-books about things I love about him for Valentine's Day. We also like to bring our neighbors plates of homemade goodies with handmade cards. I teach 2nd grade and it's a big day of showing gratitude for each other and people that we appreciate at school, instead of focusing on all the candy. We read 100 books we love and list 100 words we love, etc..

We don't have any Valentine's day traditions, it's not that big in Finland. The kids make cards for their friends though. Your sponsors' new lines are really sweet!

We don't always do something special on Valentine's Day. I get the kids a little box of candy and my husband will buy me flowers. Keep it simple.

We're not very good at celebrating Valentine's Day. It exists here in Sweden too, but I have looked upon it as a commercial thing that the industry is trying to hausse in order to sell a lot of stuff and make a lot of money. And this has perhaps made me a little more reluctant towards the whole Valentine-thing than is really necessary. ;-)
The whole idea of showing your loved ones a little extra love is of course great! And I believe me and the kids have made Valentine's cards for their daddy a few times. But we don't have any other tradition.... yet... :)

Hi Ali!
My husband and I usually write short letters to each other expressing our love and what we are grateful for. I love keeping these to read years later. Much better than anything from the store.

Last year was my son's first valentine's and he couldn't really enjoy it. This year I am going to start several tradtions. Starting on February 1st, we will have the 14 days of Valentine's...each day he will get some little prize. Then on Valentine's day, he will get a special breakfast on his own special valentine's plate (purchased at Target). For my husband, I like to do somethin handmade. It seems to mean more to the both of us.

My kids are very young so last year we made our valentines to give to our preschool classmates -- it was so fun! This year I want to decorate a valentine tree either using one of our small Christmas trees or some bare branches from outside. All the products you showcased are beautiful!

My daughter and I cover(valentine paper) and decorate(hearts and ribbons) jumbo candy bars and give them to those who have a special place in our hearts.

I don't do a big celebration, but my husband and I usually stay home and often he puts together a candlelight dinner for us.

As a teacher, Valentine's Day is a great way to show each student how much he/she means to me and each other. One rule, if you hand out cards, everyone gets one. And we all write little notes to pass out to everyone, something simple. "I really like the way you shared your pencils with me. Thank you." Just notes of appreciation to each other. My cards all include a note, plus some little goodie!

My mom always gave me a 4 piece Whittman Sampler and I give the same to my kids. I also have a special dinner with my husband after the kids go to bed.

I got this idea from Heidi Swapp. I decorate the top of Valentine's heart shaped candy boxes (people's favorites of course) with pictures, paper and embellishments. This is both a gift and the card and everyone loves it!!!

Fantastic giveaways!
I make heart shape sugar cookie pops and decorate them for my boys and their classrooms/teachers.
My boys make handmade valentines. My husband will leave out a box of supplies for them and they make cute little books/cards for me.
We all go out to dinner as a family.

THank you for the opportunity Ali. I have a fabulous husband that always spoils me! Normally the day is filled with flowers and a lovely home cooked meal! Once I received 500 red roses from him!!! It is enough to cater for a wedding! lots of love and sharing for us!

I could really use a pick me up for V-day. My father in law died several years ago on Feb. 14th, so it's sort of a quiet day for my husband and me. I'd love more of a celebration each year on V-day, and this year we are taking our kids to Sesame Street Live on the 14th....yippee!!

The past few years, I've made something special for my husband. Last year I made the album that you had as a download and it was so cute. This year we are parents so Valentine's Day is definitely different. Hopefully we'll still be able to celebrate in some way.

thanx for sharing your favourites!!