Valentine’s Day – A Family Affair

Valentines Day has always been known as a special day to devote to your significant other. Hearts, flowers, and chocolates are synonymous with Valentine’s Day. However, once you have children you may not have the freedom you once had to skip off for a romantic weekend together. There may be slight changes in the way you celebrate. But life is about making every day special. When you have friends and family that you care about, never let the opportunity to express that love go by. Even a small gesture can mean so much! As I am notably one with a huge passion for the happiness that holidays bring, you can be sure I will not let a holiday go by without celebrating it in some way. 

The following is a family friendly Valentine’s Day celebration guide:

Think Pink and Red
An explosion of the traditional Valentine’s Day colors in every shade, on everything is the perfect way to get started. Wear it. Decorate with it and cook and bake with it. A homemade wooden sign painted with a cute saying like “Be Mine” or “Kisses 25 Cents” is a cute decorating idea.

I Heart You 
You are guaranteed to receive a lot of oohs and ahhs if you create a Valentine’s Day dinner with heart shaped foods. Heart shaped bakeware and cookware provide an immediate love theme to your special meal. A pizza topped with pepperoni cut into tiny hearts. A heart shaped quiche and heart shaped pastas or raviolis make for a perfect Valentine’s Day menu. 

Dessert
Dessert is more of the same idea except served on a doily. Strawberries or Oreo cookies dipped in dark chocolate and covered with pink and red sprinkles, pink cupcakes, a heart shaped cake or a giant sugar cookie drizzled with pink and red chocolate will all be well received by your loved ones. Finally, write out the menu on a chalkboard, doilies or print out menus on pink paper. 

Traditions
My all time favorite idea, which is now a tradition for my family is to use the 14 days leading up to Valentines’s Day to place one heart each day on my children’s door that says something that makes them special or why I love them. Perhaps your son just learned to ride a two wheeler bike or maybe you just want to tell him that he gives the best hugs. It’s a beautiful way to show your love and how proud you are of your children’s individuality.

Most importantly, think of this holiday as a very special opportunity to show the people around you how much you care, appreciate and love them!

Michelle Pierre is a freelance writer and 
Registered Dietitian. Michelle writes comedic essays from a mother’s point of view at 
www.betweenthecushions.com. She has been designing crafts and party planning for many years. Some of her creations can be seen on her Facebook site, Lucia Grace Bowtique. 
She can be reached at 
designsbymichellepierre@gmail.com