Valentine’s Day has long been seen as a holiday that exists solely to churn money for companies selling you Valentine’s Day merchandise. Whether or not that’s partly true, I personally find a lot of joy in spreading love to others. There’s so much negativity in this world, it can’t hurt to have another reason to celebrate.
Valentine’s Day was never my favorite holiday, but it became the first holiday I celebrated with my son after he was born. Now I have a new appreciation for the day, and it feels like something to look forward to during the long, dreary months of January and February in Michigan. The last few years it’s been fun to think of new and creative ways to celebrate with my family.
If Valentine’s Day isn’t your thing, that’s totally understandable. But if you’d like to celebrate–and not break the bank–here are a few kid- and budget-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas that come from the heart.
Give the gift of one-on-one time.
A romantic date night could be a great idea for your significant other, but gifting some one-on-one time with your kids or other family and friends is a great idea as well! Kids love a chance to bond with their parents.
Plan a mother and son or daughter date! You could take them to a movie, shopping, or out to eat. Or, if you want Valentine’s Day ideas that are on budget–take them to a park or library. Watching a movie at home together is another fun idea.
The key is this: whatever you choose to do, do it just with them. Even giving siblings each their own special time, if possible, so that they can feel that they also got that special time just with you.
Make your own cards.
Have you seen the price of cards lately? Buying a card at the store can cost anywhere from $5.00-$10.00 per card. Making your own card can feel so personal and heartfelt. You can use any materials you have at home, even just paper and markers or crayons.
Or, if it’s in the budget, another idea could be to buy a few supplies like construction paper or stickers. I’ve made cards with my son every year, and they are something so special that I’ll treasure forever. Plus, it’s a fun activity to do together and keep the kiddos busy!
Talk about ways to spread love and positivity year-round.
This idea is completely free, and so important! If the idea of buying products that seem commercialized isn’t your thing, an alternative idea would be talking to your kids about easy ways to spread the love all year long.
Some examples could be complimenting others, helping someone when they look like they could use a hand, saying please and thank you, giving someone a hug, or learning to check-in on others when they look upset. You can talk about anything that aligns with your values, and how to think of caring for others every day.
And lastly . . . hold off until February 15th!
My grandpa used to buy all of us Valentine’s day candy . . . the day after Valentine’s day. He always said, “Why pay more when you can wait one day, and pay less?”
That candy tastes just as sweet on February 15th. If you’re really craving a box of chocolates, but don’t want to pay the high prices, there’s nothing wrong with waiting a day or two longer! For my grandpa, it was a tradition. It could be one for you as well!
There are so many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day that can create love and meaning for you and your family. These budget-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas might not work for everyone, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with buying chocolate and flowers at full price. But it can be fun to consider new ideas, traditions, and celebrations that your family can treasure for years to come.
