Valentine’s Day at Home
Valentine’s Day, some love it some hate it. I fall in the I’m crazy about it camp and my husband could live without it. I know the stores are stacked with so many things to buy it can be overwhelming and feel like we’re not doing it right if we don’t buy a dozen roses and have an expensive evening out. Several years ago we started celebrating Valentine’s Day at home and it’s been so lovely and mostly stress-free.
Redefine Valentine’s Day
It takes a lot to get out of the house, find and pay a sitter, make reservations, fight the crowds, and actually enjoy the time out. So, several years ago we gave that up for Valentine’s Day and decided to celebrate at home. I think some of that had to do with the fact that I really wanted to celebrate but financially we didn’t have a ton extra in the budget.
Also, Dean is a February baby; we actually brought him home from the hospital on Valentine’s Day. Of course, at that point, there was no way we were going to be leaving the house for a night on the town. I gathered a few finger foods and our Valentine’s picnic tradition was formed. Another bonus was that it takes the pressure off my husband to make the night romantic. A win/win!
To save money and stress, Brent and I don’t get each other gifts. We just do cards. I usually buy myself flowers which works for us. We decorate with things we create with paper. Mostly a lot of hearts! See more craft ideas below.
Easy Breakfast Love
Some years I make a simple breakfast in celebration of the day. With a heart-shaped cookie cutter, I cut a little heart out of the center of a piece of bread. Once in a pan, I crack an egg in the hole and cook. So tasty with jelly spread on top. We call it an egg in the hole, some call it ox eye eggs but on Valentine’s Day instead of a circle the cut out is filled with love.
Indoor Picnic Valentine’s Style
We buy a special drink, create a simple charcuterie board with at least a few things everyone likes, and have little chocolates for dessert. I like lighting a candle and playing a romantic playlist like this one. Usually, we do this indoors since it gets dark so early and it’s pretty cold outside.
Game Idea for Couples
Here is a fun and cheesy game to play with your sweetheart.
Stay-at-Home Date Ideas
My moms group from a few years back came up with lots of stay-at-home date ideas here.
Sweet Craft Ideas
Valentine Bags
By cutting out construction paper hearts of different sizes and colors you can make these Valentine bags. Items needed: Paper lunch bag, colorful construction paper, glue, and marker. Make them a week ahead and tell your kids they can add notes, drawings, or little gifts to the bags. So exciting to open on Valentine’s Day!
Heart-Shaped Animal Craft
With the remaining cut out hearts create a craft of heart-shaped animals. See some examples here. All you’ll need is some glue, a marker, and googly eyes (or you can just draw the eyes on your animal).
No matter what your situation this year if you are a fan of Valentine’s Day I hope you take just a little bit of time to do something to celebrate the day. Just one little thing can make a difference. Maybe it’s just buying those little conversation hearts candy and reading them with your kids, no matter what you do I pray it’s a fun-filled day for all.
What is one easy thing you could do to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
You may also like Our Winter Traditions or Make a Mixtape of your Childhood.
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