Valenties for Your Kids

My kids are still pretty young (5 1/2 and almost 3), so I don't have to be too concerned with setting a precedent. So far I've just gotten them a small present. I don't think the actually present needs to have anything to do with Valentine's Day. I just want them to see it as something nice to do for the people you love.

My parents never did anything for us for Valentine's Day. My dad usually gave my mom flowers, but that was all I ever saw. So I always thought of Valentine's Day as just a day for romantic relationships, or as a former co-worker called it, "Single Person's Awareness Day." I really want my kids to think of it as a day to appreciate those they love. I don't want to make it just about the present or just about candy or anything like that. I want it to be a day to recognize how lucky we are to have each other.

My son is a baby so he won't know what day it is. He'll get boobs just like any other day :-)

My daughters 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 we usually make a nice dinner, do small presents for each of them like a balloon and a small box of chocolates and flowers.

My hubby is going to be out of town for work on V day this year, so I'll be taking care of it for the girls. I already bought them each an inexpensive barbie on sale, and will make them choc covered strawberries and a yummy dinner like home made chicken fingers, one of their faves.

well it's not candy/sweets - but it is food (lol) we are making heart shaped pancakes with fresh strawberries for dinner that night.

Call me crazy, but isn't Valentines O. of the socially acceptable occasions for candy? :)

We're still trying to get through Halloween candy (seriously!), so I can understand wanting to avoid the sweets. Valentine's day is when I get the kids a new Funtainer thermos. Here in the Texas heat, you can't survive a summer without a thermos. Ours get dragged everywhere and need replacing about this time of year. So it's fun and functional.

I like banana chocolate chip pancakes for dinner that night, heart shaped. :)

This year I got my kids (4- girl and 18mth - boy) fun light switch covers that match their decor in their rooms. My daughter I also got some glitter pens and a little bit of candy. My son I got him a book.

A small book or game. Last year I bought my daughter a Strawberry Shortcake movie and my son a Pokemen video. Both each $5 and a small box of candy for each. Not sure what I'm getting them this year.

center the gift around current interests....but, honestly, kids that age LOVE the big box of candy & they can share it. :)

Wow...we still have left over candy from Christmas. But I still will be giving my grandson alittle Valentines candy...maybe bubble bath,and maybe a gift card to Five Below or something along those lines. He is my sweetheart.

I would just do something for them that is from the heart. Perhaps a card with some sentimental writing that they could keep and do a picnic inside with a special movie, all their favorite foods etc. Enjoy!!

I created a notebook on Shutterfly for our daughter that has some of our cute family pictures on the cover. I also try to avoid the sweets; she already get so many from her school mates, even though each year a note comes home from the teacher requesting "no sweets, please."

A little box made out of shells (or whatever) where you can fill it with little reasons you love them, or little tokens that remind you of time you spend with them? A little book?
This year I'm taking the boys on a mother/sons date while their dad's at work. We're going to get pictures done (they had recent birthdays but we haven't gotten around to getting the annual portraits done because of all the holiday hoopla for Christmas). Then we're going to Chuck E Cheese for lunch and playing. We'll work on some V-day art to set on their dressers for a little bit. And I bought a book called "I love you, no matter what" that we'll read together. (A joint gift for both boys). I'm more about activities and experience than gifts on this day. I am big about having "dates" especially with my 5 year old. We practice manners and go somewhere fun and practice the whole dating thing. By the time he's old enough to go with a girl, he'll be well experienced in treating someone nicely, listening, interesting conversation, jokes, manners, picking fun outings. My little guy (2) goes along and copies sometimes, and I'll be practicing with him the same way.

My parents always did something little for us for Valentine's Day and we've continued that with our children (including my nieces).

For your daughter, you could give her a V-day shirt or accessory to wear to school that day and a book? For your son you could do the same. Don't forget one little piece of chocolate, though (or a special dessert that night). We keep it small, but definitely something little to say "I love you"

This year, my son (3.5) will be getting a new book (No, David!) and a chocolate cupcake for dessert! My mom sent him two new t-shirts and a "big sibling" baby book to work on before his little sister arrives. He'll be thrilled!

I usually got them a special shaped Valentine's cookie, a box of candy hearts or chocolate kisses and some type of stuffed toy or maybe something small that they were into. My girls were into Littlest Pet Shop and my son loved Hot Wheels.
As they got older, I added or just gave pencils and books.

I give tiny trinkets or mini toys as gifts instead of candy:
mini puzzles
costume jewelry

Now that SD is older it will be a teen magazine & Matchbox cars/bubble
bath for 3 yr old boy.

Other ideas: crayons, pens, eraser board, coloring books or sketch a pad
socks, fun soaps (duck for 3 yr old, fake lipstick shape for girls), cute bathroom towel, fun reading book, inexpensive wallet for girl, cute throw
pillow for your daughter's room, calendar if she does't already have one)

We don't do candy either. I bought all 3 kids books. I will also get new pjs and a small toy (like a matchbox car).