Homemade Valentines Are Sweeter Than Chocolate

St. Valentine’s Day is the annual commemoration of love and affection. Moms with little ones at home have an even sweeter excuse to celebrate every Feb. 14. Even though we don’t need a holiday to shower our children with kisses and hugs, Valentine’s Day gives us the opportunity to really savor our relationships.

Candy conversation hearts, Sweet Tart lollipops and, of course, chocolates (Godiva being my absolute favorite) are always fun treats on this pink- and red-filled day. Although the fragrance of flowers and the sumptuousness of chocolates don’t last long, saying, “I love you” to each other and relishing time with one another endures much longer.

This may all sound sappy. Some may downright loathe this sugary day, while others get excited about a holiday devoted to love and romance. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle, I imagine. I’m not one to show my feelings outwardly all the time. Yet there’s something about Valentine’s Day that pulls at my heartstrings. Maybe it's because my mother always got me a card with candy, and this small token of affection carried on into my adult mind-set. I now want my daughter, Kaila, to see that showing affection is healthy and important, not just on Valentine’s Day but every day. Plus this day is an excuse to eat chocolate. No complaints by me.

Adding a special Valentine’s touch to your child’s day doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. I like to make Kaila a heart-shaped sandwich for lunch using a cookie cutter along with some “love potion” cranberry juice. We often bake together, creating either Valentine’s-inspired cupcakes complete with heart sprinkles or heart-shaped sugar cookies. We may even attempt to make our own chocolate truffles this year.

 Making homemade Valentines is another inexpensive and fun way to share time. Since Kaila is only 4, we’re creating easy designs, but you can get as elaborate as you like. Homemade Valentines are always more thoughtful and fun than boxed cards.

Materials needed:

Colored construction paper

Doilies

Glue

Scissors

Glitter or glitter glue

Markers, crayons or pens

Embellishments like sequins, buttons, pompoms, rhinestones, stickers, etc.

Lollipops

Lollipop flowers:

1. Cut out two green leaves from construction paper and glue onto a lollipop stick.

2. If using a round-shaped lollipop, cut out a heart a little larger than the lollipop and glue onto the back.

3. Decorate with embellishments or write a note.

Tip: Create a template for the heart and leaves, and trace out a number of shapes needed on construction paper to make the needed amount.

Traditional heart valentines:

1. Fold a sheet of construction paper in half.
2. Draw a half-heart shape along the crease and cut.
3. Glue a second smaller heart or doily on top of the larger heart.
4. Decorate with embellishments and write your Valentine’s name on it.