Valentine's Day is upon us, again. The holiday has, of course, been greatly over-commercialized (like most holidays). It also can be a part of diluting the real meaning of love by making it equivalent to candy hearts filled with dye or how much you can spend on your kids and spouse. So, I think it's always good to slow down and find the good, and there are many positive things we can take from this day.
First, it's a great chance to get the kids involved creatively in expressing their love for their family and friends. There are tons of free/cheap Valentine's crafts sites out there with great ideas. One I found this year is from Parade Home and Garden that has lots of fun crafts at a wide range of skill levels . There are friendship necklaces, a windsock, a heart wreath, and more. Whether traditional or homeschool, it's also fun to have the kids make their own Valentine's boxes. I shared these last year, and I still think they are super cute. Sharing their love for their siblings and parents is a great part of this season, and here's a link to some really easy DIY valentine's from The Artful Parent that kids can make.
Also, when it comes to your spouse, again, keep it simple. There's no need to go overboard, but better to try and focus on how much you really know and appreciate them. Some ideas, maybe take a little extra time in the morning to make their breakfast more special, write a heartfelt note in their lunch, send them an extra sweet text, and/or make their favorite dessert that night. For women, one pretty flower with a sweet message can be even more touching than a flashy gift. And maybe instead of just watching TV or scrolling that night after the kids are down, you guys come together for a game night or nice conversation. At the heart of this holiday should be an expression of our love and gratitude for all those God has blessed us with in our lives.
Happy Valentine's Day!