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

since my hubby and i got married, we don't usually do anything for the holiday...boring i know. Now that we have kids (well one) that is old enough to get it if we got him something, maybe this year we may do something like chocolates, or a movie, and for his class, most likely little valentine's.

I try to decorate the house a bit the night before, and usually bake some sort of heart-shaped treat. And I try to make a special dinner, something everyone likes (no small feat in this house...) Simple and sweet.

Every year my husband takes me to a very extravagant dinner and we act like teenagers on a date. This year I'm going to make a special meal and serve it in the living room in front of a nice fire. We've never set up a table by the fire and with so many people losing their jobs each day, it seems wrong to spend so much money on one meal. Just want to stay in and enjoy each other this year and be thankful.

My son and I always make some sort of special valentine craft that we send off to family and friends and then the day is full of sweets, reds and pinks, and extra hugs and kisses.

Valentine's Day is always about something handmade. I made a mini-book for my sweet husband a few years ago and ever since, that's what we try to do. The kids and I always have fun making something for Daddy!
Of course, later in the evening, the kids head to grandma and papa's for a spendover so Momma and Daddy can have a night out together!

This is the first Valentine's Day since my husband and I separated, so I'm planning on scrapping with my good friends and making my son a book about how much I love him.

A few years ago I made angel hair pasta with shrimp and it was a huge hit! Now we have that meal every Valentine's Day.

I love Valentines Day! I'm not one to enjoy going out on Valentines Day as I find it cliched. I prefer, instead, to stay home and make a wicked special dinner, multiple courses, wines, etc.
I light the entire house with candles and put on some cool jazz.
I am thinking this year, as my daughter is now four, that I will start doing some looking around for special crafts we can do together.

My daughter and I make cupcakes with pink icing to share with family.

Something I did a few years ago, when I was home on Valentines Day was I baked a bunch of heart shaped sugar cookies, pressed a sucker stick on the back before baking, and then decorated to look like conversation hearts with lovey words my husband and I say to eachother. I then placed them all in a vase to look like a flower boquet. I had a cute little display of handmade gifts for him when he got home. Oh, and I always make him cards from the cats, and they tell him why they love him.

we always exchange love notes - my husband, myself and my daughter. she and i make a valentines box each year for her to collect valentines at school. i buy them each one or two treats they love and in the evening, we share a nice dinner and family movie night. we've played "who can say 'i love you' the most times in an hour" and this year, i'm thinking of randomly calling friends and family to tell them that we love them. "hi! just wanted to say 'we love you'. bye!" sort of a drive by. ;)

Usually my husband and I have a very low-key Valentine's Day. Last year our son was a month old, and friends brought us a lovely Valentine's dinner to enjoy at home. This year I'll probably bake some cookies and make some homemade valentines for my fellas.

We don't do anything too over the top. We usually get each other a card, have a nice meal and toast with champagne. I like to think we do a good job of letting each other know how much we love each other all throughout the year.

Every year my husband and I have dinner out at this one special restaurant. We only go there once a year, because it is so pricey. This is our special place were we feel like we are on a first date. Foolish and childish, but so special to me.

My husband and I celebrate by getting sentimental gifts for each other, including cards. Last year he was actually able to find a card that had printed on it "Honey Bunny" which is a nick name he called me. It was so much better than any jewelry or chocolates could have ever been.

The giveaways today look wonderful, especially clicknmoms photography membership. I'm doing the Project 365 this year and hope I can improve my photographic skills so this would be a great prize to win!
I don't know if we have any set traditions but I decorate the house a little with heart, pink and red decor. Also, most years I have a Valentine themed playdate/party for my young daughter and her friends. Everyone wears red, pink and/or white and we color valentine pages, play with pink/red playdough, do some crafts and eat red and pink food. We also make Valentine's for the kids' moms and dads. Now that my son is getting older I might start having these playdate/parties for his group of friends.

I first met my husband in college, and I invited him over for mac n cheese at my dorm, and we've been together ever since! So on Valentine's, we stay in and eat mac and cheese. It's cheesy (no pun intended!), but very sweet!

on our first valentine's day after we were married, i got extremely sick. my husband brought me a few items that i had been wanting and a hand written note and laid them on the bed along with some soup and jello. (what a combination!) he sat in bed with me as we watched one of our favorite movies.
that's become a tradition now, except luckily he cooks a homemade meal instead of soup and jello! it's low-key and completely romantic.

My husband and I are going to take a break from our three kids and go get massages together! Can't wait.

We don't really do a lot on Valentine's day. I try to make my husband a card or something, but since my birthday is two days after, Valentine's Day usually is subdued around here. I can't wait until we have kids to do some special things with them, though. :-)