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

Valentine's Day is my very favorite holiday. Doesn't matter if my husband remembers, for me it's all about the giving. When my daughter was little I'd make little gifts for all of her preschool friends...treats for her classes....I'd take a heart box with chocolate to my dad....it's an opportunity for me to tell them I love them (I know every day is that...but still...)I love the hearts & that nothing is expected (unlike Christmas). You can give from your heart for no reason at all.

As the years go on our tradition seems to alter just a bit. However, every year it has involved a special baking project with the kiddos and now includes making their Valentines for school.
It makes it especially fun with the youngest since he loves to craft with Mommy!
Our special time together planning, making mock-ups & then the final products.
Have a wonderful day & congratulations on your growing family. Simon will be an awesome big brother!

Our anniversary is four days after Valentine's Day, so we never do much on the 14th. I still like all those valentine-y scrapping supplies, though!

My boyfriend (now husband of almost 6 years) surprised me the first Valentine's we were dating by sending me a rose on Feb 13th. He did it on the 13th, knowing he would completely surprise me. He even had it delivered to my 3rd period class. So now we celebrate on the 13th!

We stay home and grill steaks. Then we watch a dvd. It's so much more peaceful. We just get to enjoy ourselves.

My hubby and I never really do anything for eachother. That's right after my birthday. I haven't really started any traditions for Valentine's Day yet. Last year, I made little gift bags for my boys with some fun stuff from Target's 1 Spot. This year, it's on a Saturday and they're older, I'd really like to start some traditions. I can't wait to read all the good ideas!

We don't usually do too much special for Valentine's day, but we always make heart-shaped sugar cookies. My grandma started the tradition and now I bake them with my kids.

As my hubby is a police officer and usually works nights, my valentine's is spend with my kids eating their favorite food--Pizza!

This year will be so exciting! I met my boyfriend after Valentine's Day last year, so this year will be our first Vday together. I know he has some surprises planned for me, but I think that I'll try making him a cake in my heart shaped pan!

Last year I did something really, really simple. I just made heart shaped cupcakes with sprinkles on them (from a box no less) and the kids LOVED that. They saw a picture recently and asked if I would do that again this year, so I think I see the start of a new tradition.

I help my two youngest daughters fill out their valentine cards for classmates and make card boxes for all the great cards they get from school. my husband usually gives me a beautiful card with Dove dark chocolate, YUMMM!

On Valentines Day, I send a little note in the lunchboxes along with some homemade sweet treats that I have baked in secret, just a little reminder that I love them so much.

We love any holiday because it is a time where everyone spends more time with family and loved ones. We celebrate Valentine's day by spending the day thinking of those we love and letting them know how important they are to us with cards, pictures or food :)

I try to have a special treat or small gift ready for each of our kids when they wake up, and then I do a special family meal for that evening. As a couple, we wait until the weekend and get a sitter so we can go out for a nice dinner and have some precious alone time, even if just for a couple hours. We always make a point of telling each other everyday how much we love each other, both in words and actions.

We always spend it as a family....depending on what night it falls we either go out for an early supper or we will order a heart shapped pizza. I usually receive an incredible written note from my husband that I look forward to every year. One year he made me a crossword puzzle with all of my favorite flowers as the words. I think I need to start a love letters scrap book for all of my lovely notes.

Unfortunately, my husband doesn't "believe" in Valentine's day.
However, he buys me flowers, etc. on other random days, so I let him slide on Feb. 14. :)
~denise

when my husband and i started dating he thought he had to make a big deal out off valentine... and so he would stress and always ended up hating it.
so the last couple years we have ordered pizza and just spent time with each other whether it be a concert or a movie at home. we also exchange a small handmade gift every year.
i am truly spoiled everyday, so i want valentines to be about him... and maybe one day kids.
thanks everyone for sharing such great ideas... can't wait to have a full house to make valentines for!

I love the romantic notion of Valentine's day, my husband, not so much! When we were dating he gave it a try, but his heart wasn't in it. Our first Valentine's day we were married, he was in class at night so we couldn't really celebrate so we made a nice dinner then next night. Our second year, my husband was working out of town on Valentine's day,so we had a nice dinner on the 15th. And so our traditon was born. My husband really likes that we have made our own Valentine's Day, February 15, and no one else shares that but us. And guess what he loves our Valentine's Day now!

Since I live far away from my family, I always send them cards to let them know how much they are loved. With my sweetie, I avoid going out to eat (restaurants are always crowded) and plan a quiet night at home with a special homemade dinner. It's nice to have that quiet time.

my kids make their valentines which usually incorporate something fun like a pencil, bouncy ball or something; on the day itself, it's red, pink, and heart day! anything we can use food color on, we do (ie: pink milk, potatoes, etc) and anything that isn't 'dyeable' is made heart shaped. sometimes, both! pink heart pancakes are all the rage!