Celebrate Valentine's Day as a Family With These Six Tips

According to The National Retail Federation, American adults typically plan to spend an average of $164.76 on their loved ones for Valentine’s Day. For a holiday that is all about spreading love and enjoying special moments together, there must be a more meaningful way to celebrate. 

We believe we’ve found it. Read on for six tips to change how you view Valentine’s Day 2022.

Do Valentine’s Day 2022 Differently 

1. Learn About the Valentine’s Day Holiday Together 

While the majority of Americans celebrate the holiday, few take the time to learn about its origins. This centuries-old celebration has a long and interesting history. Some theories are less pleasant than others, so we’d recommend scouting out some fun facts before sharing them. 

Here’s an example: we all recognize Cupid from the songs, decorations, and other representations, but how many of us know why he represents love? According to many sources, in Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.

2. Write and Exchange Valentines 

Few things are more sentimental and heart-warming than a handwritten note, card, or Valentine. In our kids’ early school years, we’re encouraged to fill out Valentines for the whole class. Whether your little ones are still in this stage or advanced beyond it, writing and exchanging Valentines at home is a great way to remind your loved ones how much they mean to you. 

You can make your own Valentines using construction paper, coloring book pages, or even plain printer paper that you can brighten up with crayons and colored pencils. Alternatively, you can buy Valentines without breaking the bank at your local dollar store. 

3. Share the Love

Whether store-bought or homemade, consider collecting a few extra Valentines to distribute. Valentine’s Day can be a difficult holiday for many people. We all want to encourage our children to give, share, and consider the feelings of others starting at a young age. 

Distributing Valentines in a public place, like the grocery store or library, or a space where people may be feeling lonely, like a senior center, is a great way to do this. Places like senior centers may not be open to visitors right now, but the front desk may still accept a stack of Valentines and distribute them to the residents later. 

4. Craft Gifts Out of Items You Already Have at Home 

As far as Valentine’s Day gifts for kids go, making them feel special is far more important than how much you spend. Instead of heading to the store, consider gathering up everyday items and turning your living room into a craft corner for a few hours. 

Everyone toiling away to make something unique to give will make the day feel more special. Here are a few ideas: 

• Make multi-colored heart garlands and write one thing you love about the recipient on each heart 
• Cut a large heart out of construction paper and draw a picture on it 
• Paint colorful landscapes or hearts carved into trees 
  

These are among our favorite Valentine’s Day crafts for kids, but a quick Google search will shed light on thousands more. 

5. Bake Up a Festive Treat

Rather than spending an absurd amount of money on candy that will be gone far too quickly, why not gather your loved ones and bake up some treats? Making them rather than buying them will make it more special, as well as save you money. 

All you need is a few heart-shaped cookie cutters or a steady hand with a sharp enough knife to turn regular cookies, brownies, rice krispie treats, or other goodies into a festive and delicious tribute to the day. 

You could also skip the cutting and carving, make regularly-shaped goodies instead, and use frosting and red or pink food coloring to decorate them. This option works well for things like sugar cookies. Your family will have fun making something special together, and even more fun devouring it all after!

6. Find Family-Friendly Romantic Movies 

Making a meal with your family or a delicious treat to share after dinner is a great way to save money while making memories. After you’re done in the kitchen, bring your homemade dinner or dessert into the living room to enjoy while watching a family-friendly romantic movie. 

Here are some suggestions: 

• Clifford the Big Red Dog (available on Amazon)
• Abominable (available on Hulu)
• Onward (Disney+)
• Toy Story 4 (Disney+)
• Ella Enchanted (Hulu)
• Christopher Robin (Disney+)
• Happy Feet (Netflix) 
• Snow Day (Pluto TV)

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