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

We have never really celebrated Valentine's Day, but last year I made heart shaped cupcakes with my kids and let them decorate them. It was so much fun. They also decorated Valentine notes for their preschool classmates. I'm on the prowl now for some fun craft ideas for them.

We have a few fun traditions:
- Have waffles for dinner, made with our heart-shaped waffle maker ;) - with strawberries and whipped cream on top, of course!
- Secretly pick one name from our family (5 kids + me and dh) and purchase or make an inexpensive "love" gift/surprise.
My kids look forward to these every year (and so do I). ~TanyaS

for as long as i can remember i have left something yummy out the night before for DH and DD to see when they wake up that morning before work and school...DH and i include DD in our dinner every year and it is very nice for all of us. I am betting this year she wants to do it differently as she is almost 16 and has a BOYFRIEND :( Think DH and i may fly solo for dinner this year but thats ok, she is happy and well!

For us, it's ananymous valentines from your secret admirerer, simple chocolates, valentines socks for the kids, and a fancy dinner at home.

I love, love, love Valentine's day. My boys and I have so much fun putting together little treat bags for their daycare/preschool. We also make special ones for some of our special people (grandparents). I usually like to make something special for my husband. Last year I took pictures of the boys holding up 'We love you, Daddy' hearts they made and made a card out of it. He has it on his desk at work. Such a fun day to show all those you love how much they mean to you.

I dont have any kids but I remember when I was little my grandparents used to have these little red mailboxes with hearts all over it and my grandpa would usually leave love letters in there with some candy. It was super cute and I can't wait to do that with my kids someday.

Those are all sweet prizes.
We make handmade Valentines for the boys' classes and I usually do some sort of Valentine related layout. We also have a tradition of making these really cute Valentine cookie pops and give a bouquet of them to each of their teachers. I am going to try to get more Valentine craft/decorations up and around this year. Helps to settle the "blah" that seems to come after all the Christmas decor is down but it's not yet time for Spring.
Would love to win!

I usually start with TONS of balloons..helium and just let them float to the ceiling. I try to get enough to cover my eating area and I let all the ribbons just hang..very cute. Then I get some to hang out the windows of the car when I pick up the kids at school. It's so funny to have the car in the paking lot with all these balloon coming out of the windows. 2 years ago, my daughter said "you're a little weird mom, but i like it." they crack me up.

I make Brownie Bears! I bought these teddy bear molds more than 5 years ago and each year I make brownies in them and decorate each brownie bear with a bit of frosting and each person's name. Each brownie bear gets its own special bag and ribbon tie.
I also handmake Valentine's for my loved ones and I usually do bags of heart candies or heart sugar cookies for my co-workers.
I just love hearts and there is less to be stressed about at this holiday, so I usually have more time to be creative.

We have never been very big into valentine's day--too many crowds, expensive, unnecessary gifts, etc. But with kids around we do little things. I usually get flowers from my husband and kids. We try and make a nice dinner. Now that my daughter is in preschool we do little cards and treats for her classmates. It can actually be a fun holiday!

We don't usually do too much for Valentine's Day around my house, but I'm changing that as of this year. I always do a little gift for my girls, but this year, I'm doing the whole heart shaped food, love notes type thing. I'm looking forward to it!

I have always made my husband a homemade valentine. Now that we have little ones, I make a special dessert for all of us to share on Valentine's Day. This year I will help my son make valentines for his classmates. He's already asking me when we will make them :)

My daughters get a little something in a red gift bag and my husband usually gets a mini-book filled with "coupons" for different things.

I used to buy small gifts for the kids (usually a book) and conversation hearts for them to give away at school. Love those conversation hearts! Now that they're older, they continue to receive books and some small candy/chocolates.
I usually try to find something that my husband has mentionned or a surprise for him. One year I sent roses to the office (not a success). Last year was the best - I bought him a large painting, which now hangs in our bedroom.

We call is St. Hallmark's Day around my house... Not into these commercially exploded "holidays"... But now that the kids are here, we have to do something with them. We make pink heart shaped pancakes with strawberries for breakfast and handmade cards to take to school(s).

We usually celebrate small- with some cheesecake (it's our 9th yr together on V-day this year) :) Since Nate has been born, I like to buy him little small valentine trinkets. This year, I got him the little people V-day set by Fisher Price :)
Thanks for the chance to win!

The last few years I have just put out a few decorations and a small bowl of hearts since all but one child has flown the nest. But reading your post and all of the comments has given me incentive to bring it up a notch or ten. Maybe I will decorate more and bake a nice surprise my guys will like. Heck I might even make a nice card or two for them since I own all the paper a girl could want!
Thanks for the reminder that Valentines Day is coming up and thanks too for the giveaway!

We celebrate by making heart shaped pancakes - complete with strawberries and whipped cream. The kids and I make homemade valentines for each other. We always have something sweet for dessert. Nothing too fancy...just sweet.

last year, i made my bf a mini-book/card using one of your templates. i'll probably make him a little something again. we usually do dinner out on the friday following (so that it is not too crowded and/or overpriced)! on the actual night of v-day, we'll just grab a pizza or some take-out.
valentine's day for us is almost always very simple & low-key.
just the way we like it!
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My boyfriend usually buys candy for me, and I make a little card for him:) We also have dinner together, just the two of us:)