Valentine’s Day is also known as the “day of love.” But often, it’s spent focusing on your significant other or crush, revolves around roses and chocolates, and dips into people’s pockets with the lavish dinner dates and jewelry we all like to spend.
But, should we expect such a thing? Why is Valentine’s Day not more focused on loving EVERYONE is our lives? If Valentine’s Day is not something you regularly celebrate with your whole family, what are you waiting for? This day can be so fun for the whole family and can be something full of traditions that your children will later pass onto theirs! Here are a few ideas for some Valentine’s Day traditions to start this year!
1. Start the Day with Heart-Shaped Breakfast
Start your day with a nice family breakfast. You can go for heart-shaped pancakes, biscuits, eggs, and more! Add on the heart-shaped strawberries, yummy whipped cream, and of course chocolate! The possibilities are endless.
Here’s a simple, easy heart-shaped pancake recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly, plus 1 tablespoon for griddle
Directions:
– Preheat griddle or skillet to medium heat.
– Whisk your dry ingredients, (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt) in bowl.
– Add your wet ingredients (egg, milk, and 2 tablespoons melted butter) and whisk it all together to combine. Don’t worry if your batter has a few lumps.
– While you’re making your batter, go ahead and preheat your oven to 175 degrees.
– Next, brush 1/2 teaspoon butter or any non-stick spray onto griddle. Wipe off excess.
– Use silicone heart shaped cutters like this or use a squeeze bottle to create your heart shapes. Working in batches, pipe your heart shapes by drawing the outline, then filling in the middle.
– When pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around the edges, you can flip over. Cook until golden on the bottom, usually about 1 minute.
– Repeat with remaining batter and keep the finished pancakes on a heat-proof plate in the oven until ready to serve.
2.Make Each Other Homemade Cards or Small Gifts
There’s nothing more personal than a homemade gift. Try adding the gifts to each table setting at breakfast. Adding a small treat, a gift and a homemade card is the perfect way to start a day!
3.Make the Day a Pink and Red Color Scheme
Oh, how corny this sounds! But how fun! Pink drinks, pink clothes, you can honestly take this idea and run with it! Maybe decorate your house with streamers and fun decorations with all things pink and red, dress in an all pink getup, paint your nails pink with hearts, etc.
This idea is something more for fun, to add to your already fun-filled day!
4.Deliver Valentine’s to Nursing Homes, Animal Shelters, and Neighbors
Who says you must give Valentine’s to people you know? Spread the love on this special day! What better way to show your kids love and how to spread it, than giving snacks, DIY crafts, and more to strangers!
I also adore the idea of creating homemade dog treats to take to the animal shelter on this day. Kids especially would love this idea. Animals need love too!
5.Interactive Family Dinner (Heart-Shaped Of Course)
Whether you’re heading out with your spouse or spending the night home with the kids, this is an easy and fun tradition to start. If you’re out for the night, with the kids at home, have the babysitter set up a pizza station where they can create their own heart shaped pizzas!
Making it interactive is what makes it fun. Maybe you want to go with a burger night and pre-shape some heart-shaped burgers. Have a burger station where you can let the kids create their own burgers with their choice of toppings.
If you’re opting to be home for dinner with your kids, you’re in for such a treat. This could be so fun to do as a family and heart shaped food ideas are endless!
6.End the Day with A Valentine’s Movie
End the day with a family movie night. There are so many Valentine’s Day family-friendly movies to enjoy together.
A few examples include:
-Lady and the Tramp
-Gnomeo and Juliet
-Madly Madagascar
-A Charlie Brown Valentine
If Valentine’s Day with the family you’ve always wanted to make more of a priority but never knew where to start, I hope this list finds you and helps start your own family traditions. This day can be so magical and fun, creating lasting memories for you and your kids.
What are some of your favorite Valentine’s Day traditions with your family?
