I was never into Valentine’s Day, until I had kids. Something about the concept of making a big show of love to someone special one day a year always rubbed me the wrong way, especially in the case where that one day is supposed to make up for not prioritizing each other the rest of the year. I know, I know, cynical Sally has arrived. This would probably be a good time to mention that one of my favorite songs is More than Words – I think my love languages of quality time and words of affirmation speak pretty loudly to me when it comes to Valentine’s Day.
Regardless of all of that Valentine’s negativity – caring for children and knowing love as a parent changed my tune and Valentine’s Day has evolved into one of the bigger party days of the year for my family. It started innocently enough the first year I spent with my bonus daughter. We made pink pancakes, cooked bacon in the shape of a heart and drank strawberry milk. It was sweet, and it planted in me the concept of making special memories with and for our kids to show them love and make them feel special. Over the years our family grew and this tradition evolved. Every year I look forward to coming together as a family and celebrating the love we have for each other. And as someone who really enjoys a themed event, I have fun coming up with new ideas each year. So what are we up to this year? I’m so glad you asked!
Food and Drink
These pizzas are SO SIMPLE and can be customized to each family members’ preferences! Simply take a loaf of bakery bread (I bought the pre-sliced!), add some pizza sauce and toppings of choice. Bake at 375 for approximately 12 minutes. That’s it!
Lazy Susan Serving Tray / Ramekin
I know it’s a holiday, but we’ve got to keep something healthy in here! I’m serving apples, watermelon, red peppers with Erin’s easy and delicious veggie dip and strawberries. These cute little strawberry hearts are as simple to make as cutting a v instead of straight when slicing off the top!
Strawberry Fluff
Simple and delicious, easily swap out the Jello for any color or flavor you desire.
Ingredients
- 24 oz Container of Cottage Cheese
- 8 oz Container of Cool Whip
- 6 oz Box Strawberry Jello
- 2 Cups Strawberries Diced
Instructions
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Mix all ingredients together, store in fridge until ready to serve.
Serving Tray / Twizzlers / Candy Hearts / Mini Starbursts
Shatter Resistant Glass (good for kids!) / Carafe
This year I’m serving raspberry lemonade and strawberry milk. For extra fun, bite the ends off a Twizzler and use it as a straw for lemonade. For strawberry milk, top with whipped cream and sprinkles.
Games and Activities
Grab some post it notes and have each family member spend some time writing notes to each other.
Each family member holds a large popsicle stick in their mouth. See how many conversation hearts you can stack on top before they fall. Whoever stacks the most wins!
See who can stack the tallest tower of conversation hearts.
Give each family member a different color of candy hearts. See who can make the most into a cup or small bucket in the middle of the table before a minute is over.
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As our Director of Operations, Steph is single-handedly responsible for any structure that exists here at LIY. Between communicating with our amazing brand partners, organizing blog content, managing the team, Steph loves organization *almost* as much as she does the latest cookie recipe she came up with from scratch. Give her a puzzle to be put together, a candle to burn and new sprigs of green growing out of her garden, and you’ve just explained the perfect day in Steph’s world.
