Often the best childhood memories come from family traditions that were lovingly repeated over the years. Family traditions have the family at the center of a celebration, spending time together and creating lasting memories. If you don’t already have a family tradition for Valentine’s Day, why not start one this year? It could be the start of many wonderful years of Valentine’s Day memories with your family.
A family Valentine’s tradition doesn’t have to be expensive. The main idea is to spend time with the family together. Here are some inexpensive ways you can start a Valentine’s Day family tradition in your family.
make a snack together
Most people associate chocolates with Valentine’s Day, but how about making a different gift together that your family can share together? A fun gift you can make is Rice Krispies hearts. All you need is the basic Rice Krispies squares recipe, heart-shaped cookie cutters, and red sprinkles. Lightly grease the inside of the heart-shaped cookie cutters and press a few Squares of Rice Krispies into the cookie cutters. Then remove the cookie cutters and add the sprinkles. Repeat as necessary with the rest of the mixture. It’s simple enough for young children to help.
Another simple idea is to bake a cake in a heart-shaped cake pan. Make some red (or at least pink) frosting and then the kids can decorate the top with sprinkles and heart-shaped candies.
play a family game
Games are a great way for families to interact with each other and have fun at the same time. Pick a favorite family game and have fun together. Make sure it’s a game everyone enjoys so no one feels frustrated or left out. It’s also fun to learn a new game together so the whole family has the same level of experience.
A card game that has hearts as its central theme is a good combination for creating a family playtime tradition for Valentine’s Day. Capture the Hearts is a simple card game that the whole family can easily understand and play. The object of the game is to win as many hearts as possible. The only card knowledge required is knowing the order of the cards.
Watch a favorite family movie
The movie doesn’t have to be musky and sentimental, as long as it’s a movie the whole family enjoys. It doesn’t even have to be a movie you’ve seen if it’s a movie the whole family wants to see. Make some popcorn or eat some of the treats you have prepared for Valentine’s Day and enjoy some time together.
trade homemade cards
Instead of buying cards, try making cards at home. You will save money and have nice memories. The cards can be as simple as folding a piece of paper and cutting out a heart with a straight edge of the heart along the fold. Write a personalized message for each family member on a separate heart card for each. Encourage other family members to do the same, and you’ll have a great time exchanging special, heartfelt cards.
The holidays are very special to children, and Valentine’s Day can be even more memorable by creating your own family tradition. Your children can even use your traditions when they grow up with families of their own.