A Sweet Valentines Day without the Sweets

Are you looking for a sweet alternative to the sugary Valentines Day that you have always known? When we lived in Zambia, we didn’t have the prepackaged Valentines cards and sugary heart candies at the stores. A few boxes of chocolates showed up on the shelves on February 12, while the baskets of flowers exploded with fresh blooms. Instead of buying Valentines Day items, we had to make them, but it created such a sweet and simple time for all of us. I will cherish these memories, even if our children forget. If you desire a sweet Valentines Day like this without all the sweets, here is my best idea for you:

On January 31 after your children have gone to bed, decorate their doors with their names on them. Add hearts with the letters of their names, streamers, bows, etc., but then add one heart to their door that has one reason you love that child — or something you admire about them. Then every day in February until Valentines add another heart with a note to the door. Your children will love to have the new heart added each day. Even though some may need you to read what it says, the excitement will still be there.

This creates a sweet Valentines Day that extends longer than one day and tells your children specifically what you love about them — without needing to have all the sweets. Since you are creating hearts for each child, they will see this Valentines as super special, getting affirmations individual instead of as a group. Each child will have 14 special notes from you to cherish and read over and over again. This will speak volumes to him or her.

Now, does this mean that we don’t do sweets? No, but it does mean that we limit that, making sure that LOVE is the center for the holiday and not all of the junk food. Our tradition has been to have chocolate fondue after dinner on Valentines Day. I make a large bowl of chocolate on the double boiler and then provide a variety of things for them to dunk into the chocolate: strawberries, cookies, bananas, pretzel rods, apples, pound cake, marshmallows, and more! It’s a tradition that is sure to last!

Even though we are stationed back in the United States now, we have loved continuing to use some of these simple traditions — notes on the doors, homemade decorations, and chocolate fondue, of course. Remember, Valentines Day is not about the money you spend and the sweets that you consume. It is about expressing to your family and friends the love that you have for them and the love that God has for us. This holiday can be sweet… simple and sweet.

Are you unsure what to write on the hearts each day? Below are a few ideas to get you started.

Ideas to write on the cards:

1. I admire your respectful attitude towards your coach.
2. I like how you are a leader in your class.
3. You make me smile when I pick you up from school, and you run to give me a hug!
4. I am so proud of you for being friends with the new girl in co-op.
5. I am thankful for your diligence to get your schoolwork done.
6. I admire how you get your chores done without being asked each day.
7. I love your smile and dimples!
8. You are forgiving.
9. I am so proud of you for learning to make your own breakfast!
10. I love the special paintings you make for me!
11. You bless my heart when you give me a big hug each morning!
12. I love how you keep your room so tidy!
13. You are patient with your little sister and brother,
14. I am so proud of the effort you have made to read this year… you are really doing it!
15. You are an amazing big brother with our new baby! She is lucky to have you!
16. I am so proud of you for learning that new skill. You have worked so hard.
17. I love how you read your Bible each day.
18. I am so proud of you for learning how to play the piano this year.
19. I am thankful that you chose to tell me the truth when it would have been easier to lie.
20. You are sweet and kind to your friends.

Tips to consider:

1. Vary the sizes or colors of the hearts each day so your children will notice which hearts were added. Your boys may prefer more boy colors as well. Be sensitive to that.
2. Cut out or purchase the hearts ahead of time to save you time and effort. You can make your notes for the door as simple or as complex as you like, depending on your craft skills.
3. Make each note different for each child. Write different things and maybe even have the hearts be a different color or size.
4. Before February 1, make a list of the characteristics that you want to write about each day. This will ensure that you don’t forget something or double up on the same thought for two days.
5. If your children share a room, you can divide the door in half — big kid on the top and little kid on the bottom or find another spot in your home to display their hearts. (The fridge, the wall next to the table, the bathroom mirror, on the bookshelf, etc. would make great places to hang these affirmations. It doesn’t have to be a door.)

Start planning to make Valentines Day special by making these sweet Valentines Day Hearts, reading some of our recommended Christian Valentines books for children, or printing out our Valentines Bible verses!

How do YOU celebrate Valentines Day with your family? Do you have any non-sweet activities planned? Share them in the comment section below to bless this whole community!