14 Sweet Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Looking for new ways to make Valentine’s Day fun this year? Here are 14 ideas to help make this Valentine’s Day extra special!

1. Make a Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
   While a simple cheese plate used to suffice, today the charcuterie board is all the rage. Technically a charcuterie board means a board of prepared meats, but these days anything goes! Cut cheeses or salami into heart shapes to make a beautiful food presentation.
   
   
2. Send Valentines
   Sites such as Blue Mountain Cards, American Greetings or Punchbowl allow people to email fun cards for free. For a small fee, the TouchNote app lets users send postcards with a photo. They do the printing and mailing and your valentine receives a special postcard.
   
   Alternatively, go the old-fashioned route. Children love picking out their own stamps and mailing valentines. (Hint: They also like receiving them!) Depending on your child’s age, address the envelopes for them or use it as an opportunity to teach the finer points of letter writing.
   
   
3. Decorate in Hearts
   Heart-shaped balloons or pink and red heart cut-outs create a festive atmosphere at home.
   
   
4. Create a Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt
   Put clues around the house and let your kids search high and low for a surprise sweet treat.
   
   
5. Have a Valentine’s Day Photo Shoot
   Cut a heart out of construction paper (as a prop), dress the kids in red and have a photo shoot! Be sure to share your photos with long-distance relatives who miss your family.
   
   
6. Surprise Your Kids with Love Notes
   Leave Post-It Notes of love and encouragement for your kids in the shape of a heart on the fridge, bathroom mirror and other key spots around the house. For extra fun, decorate their bedroom doors while they sleep.
   
   Read “21 Ways to Say I Love You to Tweens and Teens”: www.sandiegofamily.com/parenting/teen/21-ways-to-tell-your-tweenteen-i-love-you.
   
   
7. Put Up a Valentine’s Day Tree
   Haven’t taken down that Christmas tree yet? Don’t despair! Switch the decor to hearts and other festive ornaments! It may become a new family tradition. 
   
   
8. Break a Heart-Shaped Piñata
   Who doesn’t love breaking open a piñata full of treats? Heart shaped piñatas are available online if you can’t find one locally.
   
   
9. Play Tic-Tac-Toe
   The x’s and o’s in tic-tac-toe make it a natural choice for Valentine’s Day fun! Winner gets the number of kisses and hugs on the board.
   
   
10. Bake to Your Heart’s Content
    This may be obvious, but pink frosted cupcakes or sugar cookies with heart sprinkles are a big hit.
    
    
11. Indulge in Heart-Shaped Food
    Make a special meal featuring heart-shaped pancakes, pizza or sandwiches. Sweetheart Pancake Breakfast: www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/dining-and-recipes/snacking-with-joy-sweetheart-pancake-breakfast
    
    
12. Make Pink Drinks
    Find a delicious recipe for strawberry smoothies, milkshakes, cocoa or punch.
    
    
13. Read a Book
    There are great picture books that complement love for family on Valentine’s Day. Try Mama Do You Love Me by Barbara M. Joosse, A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn, or ABC Love, a board book by Christiane Engel.
    
    
14. Make Chocolate-Covered Treats
    Impress loved ones with delicious homemade truffles (made with Oreos and cream cheese!):  www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/dining-and-recipes/oreo-truffle-balls.
    
    

Freelance writer Jill Morgenstern has 13 years teaching experience and is the mother of four.

Discover more ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in our round-up: www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/seasonal-happenings/valentines-day-round-up.

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