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

I love helping my kids either make their valentines to give to classmates or embellish the store-bought ones with stickers and stamping & a little piece of candy.

I try to make it a pink and red heart day. Special heart treats in lunch boxes, new Valentine's t-shirts and when they get home from school little goodie bags of love from Mom and Dad. We usually do a special dinner that they like to "make" for my husband and I. They also try to be extra-kind to one another on this day (Sometimes hard for an 11-year old girl and 8-year old boy!). I love this holiday and want them to always see the value of love everyday :)

Hi Ali this is an amazing giveaway!! Valentines day is the one holiday I leave to my husband. Who always surprizes me with flowers and balloons. I love to tuck little notes in my kids lunch.

My son and I make valentines for his grandmothers and greatgrandmother.

Valentines Day is my second favorite holiday. I've always made a special meal for my hubby and four children that we have together...starting about 10 years ago, I tried to make everything red or heart shaped. I've gotten pretty creative over the years. I recently learned that it's also very special to my children and they've come to expect it. A new tradition I started last year was making different size hearts and putting things I loved about each person on their door after bed the night before Valentines. This was such a hit that when I've tried to take them down over the last year, everyone has "balked"....so they're still up! It makes me smile each time I see the displays. I'll have to make new ones and replace them here in a couple weeks. It's so cool when something you think of impacts your children so much (especially considering 3 are teenagers and 3 are boys)

We usually make a steak dinner at home with the boys and of course we do the fantastic sugar cookies and decorate them. I try to leave little love notes around the house to remind the boys they are loved and appreciated...and I always get flowers. :)

We always have a steak dinner (really tasty and quick to cook) and then watch a movie or just end up talking on the sofa. My partner now works away (in a different city) so this Valentines will be different

With our first baby in our home for this years Valentines, I am putting his teeny foot prints on cards for our family and friends, with a note that says "kick start my heart"...and I'll make some kind of sweet treats to go with it.

Hi,
Christmas was so hectic this past year that I decided to give my son's teachers Valentine's gifts instead of Christmas gifts. I am making biscotti, wrapping them in cellophane with a pretty bow, and attaching a gift card to a coffee shop. Since my husband has to work for a few hours on Valentine's day, my son and I will be making scones and other yummy things and bringing them to my husband.

Valentine's Day is not a huge deal to me. I do like to get homemade cards and go out, but I don't need flowers, balloons, and all that other stuff that goes along with what consumerism has made this holiday. Its pretty much just like every other day but with some candy and cards.

Valentine's Day is also my second son's birthday so it's an all day celebration! We start off with heart shaped pancakes or waffles or whatever he wants for breakfast. We all exchange our Valentine gifts after breakfast. Usually the boys have school so it's off to school for school and Valentine parties. Birthday boy usually picks In 'n Out Burger for lunch so I'll run that over to school for them or he and his older brother come home for lunch and then afer school til bedtime is birthday time! It's a great day!

Hi Ali!!!
I always enjoy reading about your favorite things!! Valentines is fast approaching--we always spend time together, I make my own cards for my husband and our son..and everyone gets a special treat!!!
Have a great day,
Vanessa

Hmmm...the adults don't do much for Valentine's at our house...but I do try to give my daughter something sweet for the occasion.

I celebrate by making a handmade card for everyone in my family...and usually giving some good chocolate with it!

i just read in family fun magazine about love bugs. They sneak into your house prior to valentines day and leave little notes and gifts behind. there are so many possibilities with this idea, i can't wait to start it with my daughter this year!
amanda schurman

WE LOVE TO MAKE VALENTINE CARDS TOGETHER... IT HAS BEEN FUN FOR US TO MENTION WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THE OTHERS IN THE FAMILY AROUND THE DINNER TABLE :)

We don't do anything special for Valentines Day. I leave a stuffed animal and a basket with candy in it on the table for the kids and cologne for my hubby. We usually just go around saying Happy Valentines Day all day and giving lots of hugs and kisses!

We celebrate Valentine's Day kind of like we celebrate Easter. Both girls get a basket full of goodies. Maybe a movie or a cute shirt and some Valentine candy.

I love Valentine's day because it is a bright spot in a long, cold, rainy winter. I dress every one up in Pink or Red (yes, even my husband) and last year teal was totally an acceptable color. Then we just do fun things all day, make sugar cookies, open little love presents and make pizza for dinner. My husband and I just got fed up with the lines at restaurants on Valentine's day so we started buying Heart Shaped pizzas from 5 buck in Provo UT. Now that we have moved away, and I stay home...we make our own and it is so much fun!

Each year I can count on getting two dozen red roses from my husband. He's done it for 6 years in a row now. Sometimes he's had it delivered to me at work and other years they are waiting at home so it's kind of fun trying to figure out when and where they will appear!