Let's talk Valentine's Day

[jillywilly]

It's two weeks away. Any fun plans? Are you getting a gift for your SO or little one(s)? Are you into the day or kind of "meh" on the whole holiday?

[jillywilly]

I actually started this because I'm looking for an idea of something fun to get H. We've been in kind of rut lately and I'd like to do something nice for him. Not huge, because we really don't normally do much for Valentine's, but I'd like to acknowledge it this year and basically be like, "hey, I still really like you, even if we've been sub-par about showing it lately."

I'll actually have the day off since MIL is out of town, so I'm taking the day off to hang out with DS. I was thinking about buying all the ingredients to make a favorite meal of H's or something, but maybe something else. One of those date night boxes maybe? Give me all your ideas!

[sugarkissed]

DH and I don't do anything, and he'll be out of town anyways. I'm excited for the girls though! DD1 has preschool so she'll get to exchange cards and have fun at school. I usually get the girls a helium balloon for little holidays like this.

[mrsmonogrammed]

I bought C 2 new books (she got one last year too) and am still searching for something small for H. I'm thinking a make your own 6 pack of a new beer from Binny's? He likes to try new ones:)

[mrsmonogrammed]

Those valentines are adorable, carrots!!

jillywilly I would definitely do some sort of date nite/tickets so you guys can spend time together and reconnect a little:)

[Widget123]

H will be out of town. We will bring in V day cards for LO's daycare class but the parents were very hit or miss with it when DD was in that age group. I think DD's daycare class will be more into the holiday now that she is in preschool... but they call it "Friendship day" because it all has to be very politically correct. I usually get H lots of candy because that is what he likes, and he will buy me roses. We probably won't go to dinner or anything either unless MIL offers to babysit.

[billyhorrible]

I'm doing "10 things I love about you" balloons for each boy. The little ones love balloons, and DH loves the movie 10 things I hate about you.

I'm getting books for LBB and BH, and LBB is also getting Valentine's pajamas. (He decided they should be a gift, instead of just having them.)

LBB is picking out Valentines for his friends, I'm making these for BH's daycare.


Last year, DH and I celebrated with champagne and dessert after the boys went to bed, we'll probably do that again this year.

[sabrinaml]

H and I have never really celebrated Valentine's Day. Before getting married our "dating anniversary" was the week after so we always focused on that.
I haven't really figured out what I'll do or if I'll even do anything. I think he got me a card last year (from C) and I did some Pinterest thing with Reese's pieces for him (from C)
The inlaws will probably do a gift for C but we won't.
ETA: my guess is Valentine's Day isn't even on Hs radar

[tiffbot]

We don't really do anything, though it will be the 8 year anniversary of our first big date!
I do usually try to do some sort of craft/baking with the kids though, and I just remembered a couple days ago I'm parent helper at preschool that day so we'll probably make up some Valentines for his class, and I'll be there for whatever Valentines celebration they do which will be fun!

[jillywilly]

Jan 31, 2017 10:05:41 GMT -5 mrsmonogrammed said:

Those valentines are adorable, carrots !!

jillywilly I would definitely do some sort of date nite/tickets so you guys can spend time together and reconnect a little:)

I'm thinking the date night box just because both of DS' grandmas (read: primary babysitters) are out of town the better half of February, so we need to do something at home since we don't want to hire a new sitter we don't know quiet yet at this age, since we're fortunate to have his grandmas so close. 

[jillywilly]

Also, FFTC: I'm really happy DS won't be in day care on Valentine's Day. The idea of having to make a bunch of valentines for toddlers is not appealing to me. The ideas posted here are super cute, but no thank you to doing a bunch of work when the kids don't really understand yet. I think it'll be more fun in a year or two when DS is older and can help more, though!

I was thinking since I'd be home with him and I'm not usually on Tuesdays doing some kind of fun mommy-son "date." Like take him out to lunch and/or a museum or toy store so can pick out a new treat or something.

[belle0720]

Tiny prints sent me a $25 off $25 code, so I bought cute heart shaped valentines with G's picture on them that I'm going to give to a few family members and friends.

I totally went overboard for Gianna and put together a Minnie (aka "MiMi!) themed gift. It started in the Target Dollar Spot and spiraled from there. We were supposed to go to Disneyland that following weekend so I was hoping to get her pumped up to see Minnie, but people flaked so we aren't going anymore. Minnie is the one character who she knows so she'll love it anyways.

I was going to order H a heart shaped box with jerky in it from Man Crates, but decided I'm just going to get a heart shaped chocolate box for him and fill it with jerky on my own so it's cheaper and then have Gianna deliver it to him at work that day. We don't do big gifts (except the year he proposed).

The three of us are going to go out to dinner to our local BBQ spot.

[blueskiessmiling]

My H's birthday is the day before, and Valentines Day is my son's (who passed away) birthday. So it's a pretty low key day at our house. I bought DD a Valentines Biscuit the puppy touch and feel book, and bought DH a beard care kit. I've recently convinced him he needs a beard, so it's kind of a joke gift.

[erbear]

H and I are celebrating his birthday the weekend before, so that's all we're doing. I've told him what I'd like (an ice cream sandwich from my favorite place - they're lactose free!) but he will work late so I doubt I'll get it.

LO is getting a new book and a new train. She has mickey Valentine's and M&m chocolate chip cookies for her little friends at our moms group party this Friday!

[billyhorrible]

Jan 31, 2017 11:52:46 GMT -5 stcyct said:

billyhorrible I love the 10 things I love about you idea. You are putting them on a balloon? Or 10 Balloons? Tell me more!

10 balloons, each with something I love about them written on a notecard tied to the string.
Save

[tiffbot]

billyhorrible the play doh idea is cute! I was trying to think of something a little more than candy, if I can get to the city to buy something else.

[Bluedaisy]

Question: Are day care Valentines a thing? This is our first Valentine's so I don't want to be THAT parent who's the only one who does nothing but also don't want to be THAT parent who's the only one who does SOMETHING.

jillywilly, I feel like you and I are life twins. The comment about "I still like you but have been meh about sharing it" pretty much sums up my life. This year we are doing a night out: dinner and a play plus small gifts. This is totally dorky but our first Valentine's I totally made us a board game about us and we've added to it and play it each year. I think a "Night In" box could be cool with popcorn/snacks and a movie or game. You could even get glasses and a bottle of sparkling something or some nice massage oil.

[billyhorrible]

Jan 31, 2017 17:23:22 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

Question: Are day care Valentines a thing? This is our first Valentine's so I don't want to be THAT parent who's the only one who does nothing but also don't want to be THAT parent who's the only one who does SOMETHING.

It varies by daycare. LBB's daycare prohibited valentines. They didn't celebrate. His preschool does. BH's daycare does with the older kids. But it's also his last week there, so I'm kind of using it as a thank you and goodbye.

[Bluedaisy]

carrots we just got our monthly newsletter and it had a Valentine's class list on it so I guess we should send something. Now I just need to figure out what.

[jillywilly]

Bluedaisy, I LOVE the idea about the board game. Board games are something H and I used to really like together so it would be perfect. There's no way I can get it together in two weeks, but it is our five year anniversary in May...

As far as V-Day presents, our day care sent an email with class lists/counts and a reminder about nuts, even including the infants, so pretty sure ours does something. I'm just glad it's a day he won't be there! I thought I had my shit together at Christmas with cards, cookies, and a gift card for his three teachers. The day I brought them in, there was "that" mom with cards for literally EVERY teacher/worker in the damn place and super cute iced cookies. I guess I should just accept it now that I do not have the talent to be the super Pinterest mom.

[dogmama22]

We close on both houses the day after. We will probably be packing the last few things.

[baytosa2013]

Jan 31, 2017 17:23:22 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

Question: Are day care Valentines a thing? This is our first Valentine's so I don't want to be THAT parent who's the only one who does nothing but also don't want to be THAT parent who's the only one who does SOMETHING.

jillywilly , I feel like you and I are life twins. The comment about "I still like you but have been meh about sharing it" pretty much sums up my life. This year we are doing a night out: dinner and a play plus small gifts. This is totally dorky but our first Valentine's I totally made us a board game about us and we've added to it and play it each year. I think a "Night In" box could be cool with popcorn/snacks and a movie or game. You could even get glasses and a bottle of sparkling something or some nice massage oil.

Our daycare does stuff for the kids..an arts and crafts project.  The parents all bring a little card and things like a juice or applesauce squeeze.  Usually small and food related.

As for Valentines day I doubt we will do anything.  I usually get a card for DH and a beer or something.  He generally forgets and grabs whatever left over card they have on the shelves.  I've given up.  I used to want to celebrate..not crazy just something small and heart felt or even just flowers because I NEVER get flowers.  It doesn't stick so I've decided to stop setting myself up for disappointment.