MAKING VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL FOR YOUR FAMILY

Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers. In fact, when you have a family you can’t help but include your kids in the celebration of love. It is a perfect day to let your spouse and kids know how much they are treasured and to go a little giddy with “I-love-you” decorations and surprises. Who says you can’t get caught up in the silly extravagance of Valentine’s Day when you have a family?

Here are some ways you can make the day special without spending too much time or money. You too should be able to kick back and have fun on Valentine’s Day.

Use party plates: A simple way to jazz up the mood first thing in the morning is to swap your regular breakfast ware for bold red paper plates decorated with lacy hearts and hugs and kisses symbols. Even if you don’t plan on cooking something out of the ordinary, the meal will still feel special. No dishes to wash, and you can do the same for lunch and dinner. If you feel like it, dress up the table further with fresh flowers, heart-shaped confetti, and pretty napkins.

Prepare individual place markers: Show each family member how they are special to you and an indispensable part of the family by creating place holders at the dining table. These may look as simple as decorating a paper cup or a votive candle holder with their name, using sticky foam letters or inserting a toothpick attached to a place card. Fill the container with candy, crepe paper, or glass beads. Stick little love notes in the containers that say what you appreciate about them. Get your spouse to chip in on this one.

Decorate with balloons: One of the easiest ways to create a celebratory mood in your home is to decorate it with balloons. Heart-shaped balloons in red, white, and pink unmistakably scream Valentine’s Day. Tie them to doorknobs and let them float loose all around the house. If you have older kids who enjoy decorating, leave the job to them and let them be creative.

Make sweet healthy treats: If, perhaps, the one thing you don’t like about Valentine’s Day is the overabundance of chocolate and candy, there are sweet alternatives to these treats that you can prepare. Strawberry smoothies, grilled pineapple, frozen yogurt with nuts and dried fruit, and sweet potato fries are just a few of the healthier alternatives. A heart-shaped cookie cutter is always useful to have around in shaping anything from a small portion of sticky rice to flour tortillas.

Plan a family activity: Book your spouse’s and kids’ time for a few hours in the evening to enjoy an activity together. It may be playing a favorite board game or watching a cherished movie like Beauty and the Beast or Charlotte’s Web. Another meaningful activity is to make a card or a short video clip that you can send to the grandparents or family members living far away. Encourage your family to love and care for one another a little more, and you will have a successful Valentine’s Day this year.

Working for years as a design consultant Veronica Smith has just joined AmericanArtisanArt.com where she plans to incorporate her decorating aesthetic for metal art wall sculptures and large metal wall art.