Valentines Day and children
 

Sure, February 14 is thought of as for couples. But it really is day of celebrating love, and there is no age restriction on love and affection.

And, older children, especially teenagers, often get very involved in Valentines Day rituals. So, Valentines Day celebrations don’t have just be restaurant dinners for two or just for adults.

Have some fun with the whole family this February, as well as any couple related gestures you wish for. 

Y    Give Valentines day cards to all the important people in your life – your partner children, parents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and God children are a good starting point.

Y    Sit down with your children and make beautiful Valentines Day cards for their friends and Grandparents. If you exclude some of the romantic notions of love, you can get the children to make cards as a thank you to teachers and coaches, too.

Cards can be made from red or pink card and decorate with the child’s drawings or a collage of lace (try paper doyleys as a supply of lace!), ribbon and glitter. Or perhaps use a heart shaped hole punch to good effect.

Y    Do some cooking with the children. Use heart cutters for shaped biscuits or pastries, coat strawberries in chocolate or make jellies in heart moulds. Older children could even cook a special meal as a Valentines gift to their parents, and then go out for a few hours as the other gift!

Y    Have a family meal every Valentines Day – or make it on Valentines Eve so teens can still be with their boyfriend/girlfriend. Have nice food and keep outside distractions to a minimum – turn off the TV, unhook the phone and have soft music playing.

Make it a time to appreciate and value each other, and perhaps share some special memories and thoughts about one another. Play some Valentines games, with chocolate hearts as prizes for silly reasons.

Y    Teach children about love beyond family – make Valentines Day gifts a donation to a charity or cause instead of treats that are soon forgotten. It could be a perfect time to help an orphan learn there is love in the world.

Y    Make some Valentines decorations and hang them around the house. Try pink and red paper chains, heart shapes cut out and stuck up, heart glitter spread on tables and appropriate table cloths.

Y    If you are holding a party, cut out heart shaped invitations, decorate with pink, red and white balloons and streamers, add pink colouring to drinks and food where feasible and use lots of candles (but only if it safe to do so.)

Whatever you do, celebrate the love you share with your partner and children and have some fun this February!

Tash Hughes is a Mum of two in Melbourne. She is also a writer and owner of Word Constructions. Tash is available to write articles and profiles for any business, as well as doing other business documentation projects. You can see her site and services at www.wordconstructions.com
 

A funky gift suits many age groups and relationships, and can be shared by the family!