5 VALENTINE’S TRADITIONS TO START WITH YOUR FAMILY THIS YEAR

I love creating traditions with my family. It makes me feel good when my sons get excited with anticipation at what we will do for the upcoming holiday. I try to make each of the smaller holiday’s special in hopes that they will continue this tradition with their families when they get older.

I believe that each of the smaller holidays can be celebrated on a smaller budget and still be special. Valentine’s Day is no exception. Each year we do some of the same activities but they are always fun because I always make sure to put an emphasis on love.

Here are five Valentine’s Day holiday traditions that you can start with your family this year.

01. Create Love Boxes.

I put this as number one because this is my favorite activity to do every year. I create a small mail station in a corner of my kitchen. I have paper, envelopes, markers, pens and crayons. I also have stickers, confetti, glue and glitter. Each family member has a “love box” with our names on it. Whenever you want to express your love for a family member you can write them a letter or draw them a picture.

The best thing about this is that your older children also receive a mini English lesson because they have to compose an actual letter with a greeting, a body containing full sentences and a closing.

At night, when all of my children are in bed, I sneak little surprises in their love boxes. It can range from cards, to sweets, to pencils, to my own written hand notes to them. I don’t have to worry about getting them up in the morning during this week because they are eager to check their love boxes every morning.

02. Start A Love Chain.

This is a new tradition that we will be starting this year. We live seven and a half hours away from my family. This year I am going to put a positive spin on the old chain letter and create a love chain.

Each of my children will write letters and draw pictures for their grandparents. We are all going to dress in our red, pink and white and take pictures. I’m then going to stuff all of their “chain” letters, developed pictures and confetti into an envelope and mail it off.

This is the perfect Valentine’s Day tradition to start with your family if you live far away and want your family to feel as if they are still apart of your children’s life.

03. Bake Me Some Love.

All children love to decorate. Whether it’s cookies, cakes or cupcakes, whenever you put icing and sprinkles in front of a child their eyes light up. Bake some plain cookies or cupcakes and allow your kids to decorate their own dessert.

04. Have Dinner And A Movie.

One night create a livingroom friendly meal and serve dinner, picnic style, in front of the television. Spread out blankets, pack a basket and enjoy dinner freestyle. Take advantage of the free RedBox codes that are readily available and rent a child friendly movie.

For added effect, use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut your sandwiches into shapes. Add a drop of red food coloring to Ranch dressing and serve “love dip” and veggies. For desert, do a spin on a traditional root beer float. Serve a scoop of vanilla ice cream with strawberry soda and whipped cream OR serve a scoop of strawberry ice cream with sprite and whipped cream.

05. “I Love You Because” Tickets.

This is another new tradition that I will be starting this year. I like rewards systems and this spin on it is a wonderful concept of that. Every time you see one of your children doing something nice for another family member, award them with a ticket. Create a prize board where they can cash their tickets in for prizes.

This fun little game promotes camaraderie between your children and will give you a fuss free week as your children do their best to go above and beyond to earn their tickets.

Valentine Confetti photo credit to karine*imagine |  Valentine Cupcake photo credit to smittenkittenorig