By Kit Bennett

I’m sure it is no surprise to the AmazingMoms.com visitors that I have a tendency to over do it for special occasions. Well...Valentines Day is no exception! It's not that I lavish my children with expensive gifts, although as teenagers, they wish I would. Or, that I rent a limousine to take my husband and I to a five star restaurant. Truth be told, over the years 
I've spent very little money on Valentine's Day. However, I do expend creative energy on the "little things" that my children and husband will hopefully remember for years to come. The following Valentine's Day 
ideas are sent with love from my home to yours -- Have fun!

Seeing red...
Help your kids create an all-red or pink ensemble to wear from their 
closets and drawers. Ribbons, yarn and bric-a-brac in red or pink 
tones work well for belts, shoelaces and hair ties. Paint your daughter's nails with hearts in different shades of red polish.
Spruce up an everyday outfit with homemade heart shaped 
button covers. Cut hearts from red, pink or purple felt. 
Cut slits, the same size as the button, in the middle of the heart. 
After buttoning up, slip the covers into place. 

Start your day with hearts and roses...
The mirror is a perfect place to start the day with a love note. 
Especially, if you have teens or pre-teens...my daughter spends 
most of her morning there!
Use red lipstick to scribble a quick note:
"You are my Love"
"You are so sweet"
If you feel really inspired, draw a picture frame and then 
add a message..."this person is Loved"
The lipstick will come off with window cleaner. I’ve actually 
used my kids poster paints as well, they wash right off.

Set a Valentine breakfast table that will surprise your family when they wake up. Cover your table with a white table cloth or sheet. Cut paper hearts in a variety of sizes and scatter them over the top of the table. 
Add some sequins and/conversation hearts for extra color. Place a few fresh, tissue paper or candy flowers in a vase. 
Click here for the candy flower instructions. 
Kit's Tip: I'm not a morning person sop I always prepare 
my special occasion "surprise tables" the night before.


Valentine Breakfast...
If you already have a heart shaped pancake mold, you can use that. 
However, to save time make a large batch of French toast. Use a large
heart shaped cookie cutter to cut the the French toast. Top with thawed frozen strawberries (or fresh) and make a heart with canned whipped cream. Make a pink smoothie with berries, frozen yogurt and milk.
Yum - what a great start !

Make a sack lunch special...
Turn a regular ham and cheese or PB&J sandwich into a Valentine surprise, using the same cookie cutter that you used for the French toast. Or, use 
a smaller heart cookie cutter to cut slices of cheese and provide crackers in the lunch as well. Add a few "hugs and kisses" chocolates and a special note with stickers on a paper napkin.

Dinner served with love...
Lovely Valentine Napkin Rings
Serve a meal or a snack with love, using these easy to make Valentine's Day napkin rings. Make one for each family member and they can be used to set a festive table even before February 14th!

For a quick napkin ring, use craft foam, stick-on hearts and a stapler.
Simple T.P. tubes wrapped in red tissue will also do the trick.

Many pizza parlors offer heart shaped pizza’s on this special day. 
Or, use a heart shaped cake pan to make a meatloaf.
Add a special drink and dessert like cupcakes that you and the kids decorate together. 

"Cupids Delight" Cherry Float
cherry 7-up, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and a maraschino 
cherry on top. 

End the evening with a game hearts or a family movie. 
Try a favorite romantic comedy, or kid-friendly Disney movies like Cinderella or Beauty and the beast...Ahh what a special day!

Related Articles:
Valentine's Day Ideas
Valentine Crafts