
photo credit: karen horton via photopin cc
Anytime I go into a store lately there is Valentine’s Day stuff everywhere. You can’t seem to miss it.
The day in itself has never been huge to me. I wasn’t one to sit and hope for flowers or a special night out. For the longest time I considered it just another way for stores to make money. Now there are children involved, I don’t see it in quiet the same light anymore. Sure in a lot of ways I don’t see the point in spending a whole bunch of money on single day. But I do see the point in doing something with the day for the sake of the children.
We get a couple little treats for the kids, usually a stuffed animal and a small chocolate or something little. My husband and I don’t get gifts for each other. We make sure to have a family night meal. If it fits in the schedule we go out, if it doesn’t that’s ok to. Usually we will play a game with the kids or read an extra book with them. After bedtime my husband and I will watch some of our PVR’d shows or a movie. We use Valentine’s Day to as a reminder to show everyone that you care about them. We don’t use the day as an excuse to spend money and buy gifts.
For us, I would rather our kids see us happy spending time together, rather than seeing us buying gifts once a year because there is a special day. What do you do for Valentine’s Day? Do your kids have traditions as well?
My mother always made Valentine’s Day very special for us with handmade cards and treats. My father would buy each of us children a card and write wonderful, heartfelt messages on them. Over the years, I saved ALL of those wonderful cards from my parents. My husband and I continue the tradition by giving each of our 6 children a card and a sweet treat. I also make a special dessert for everyone to enjoy. My husband and I get some small token for each other as a reminder of our love. I truly do love Saint Valentine’s Day and the focus on both romantic and brotherly love, because both kinds help make the world go around!
I’m all about having a day set aside for romance and romantic gestures. My husband bought me roses and it’s a rare and special treat. :] I do like to do something with my kids, too; although this year my husband and I are away, but they’ve had a several days long celebration with my sister. :]