I drew the curtains tight and warned my children: Do not peek in the sunroom! The big reveal would occur very soon. My four children whispered to one another and giggled in anticipation. Moments earlier, I set the table with Valentine’s plates, cups, and a tablecloth. Individualized place cards stood proudly on each plate. After putting the finishing touches on dinner, the time had finally arrived.
My kids entered our sunroom eagerly. Their eyes lit up when they gazed at the decorated table. Heart confetti and touches of pink and red dinnerware marked the special occasion. Excitement filled their little bodies as my children spotted the cards bearing their names, marking the spot where they would sit. They smiled ear-to-ear as they read the heart-felt words penned by me and my husband.
As we ate the special meal I prepared, my kids bubbled over with joy. We exchanged laughter and great conversation. We enjoyed each other’s company. Our hearts were full.
Dinner was extra special on this evening because of the small, intentional touches I added to our experience. This memorable night was easy and inexpensive to pull together. Yet, the deposits we made into our children’s hearts were absolutely priceless.
For me, it quickly became one of my favorite Valentine’s dinners ever.
It’s fun to think outside the box and discover ways to make our children feel cherished.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I encourage you to add little touches to your family’s day to show how much they mean to you. Of course, this doesn’t have to happen on Valentine’s Day only. But since this love-induced holiday is approaching, let me share how easy it is to make this day exceptional. Here are 5 simple ways to create a remarkable “evening in” as you share Valentine’s dinner your family.
5 Simple Ways to Create a Special Valentine’s Dinner for Your Family
#1 – Set Your Table with Valentine’s Decor
Snag a red or pink table cloth and let it serve as the backdrop for a yummy meal. Rather than using your regular dinnerware, use paper plates, napkins, and cups that are oozing with hearts. You could add heart-shaped confetti to the table top if you would like a little more pizzazz. Or perhaps you could sprinkle chocolate candy or conversational hearts around the table.
Here are several adorable options for quick and easy shopping:
#2 – Create the Right Atmosphere with Lighting
Dim the lights and eat by candlelight. Who says candles need to be reserved for a romantic date only? My kids love when we light candles. Changing up the lighting will create a different mood for the evening. And I bet your kids will get a kick out of it!
#3 – Break out the Bubbly (Sparkling Juice, that is)
Open a bottle of sparking juice and make a toast. Let each person share from their heart why they treasure being in your family. Highlight each child by sharing something you love about him or her. Then, toast your heart-decorated cups and enjoy!
#4 – Prepare Their Favorite Entree
With six mouths to feed (and six opinions), it’s not always easy to find something everyone will like. But when it comes to Italian in my house, we can all agree it’s a winner! Knowing this, I hit up Pinterest and discovered this yummy and easy dish: heart-shaped raviolis using cookie cutters and just a few ingredients. It was simple and delicious! Here are a few other fun heart-shaped ideas for kid-friendly food.
And be sure to check out these 15 Valentine’s Day treats that you can make ahead of time for a delicious dessert or you can choose to create a treat together. We ended the night with a pudding parfait layered with fresh fruit, chocolate morsels, and whipped cream. I served them in clear cups so we could see the layers of yumminess.
#5 – Create Handmade Cards that Double as Place Cards
Giving our children handmade cards was definitely my favorite part of this special occasion (and hands-down the most meaningful part to our kids). I kept it very simple. I grabbed pink paper for my girls and red paper for my boys. We folded each paper in half, and I wrote their names on the front in fancy lettering. Inside the cards, my husband and I recorded a special message to each child. We included what we love about them and specific characteristics that make them so incredible. We also added encouraging words to build them up.
RELATED: Why We Need to Speak Life-Giving Words to our Children Every Day
Well, there you have it. These 5 simple suggestions are an easy and inexpensive way to make this Valentine’s Day special for your family. With a little planning, you can create a memorable and enjoyable evening for the precious ones sitting around your table. Drop us a note to tell us what you’ve done in the past with your kids on Valentine’s Day. Or share what you are planning to do this year.
And be sure to check out our Valentine’s outfits in our shop. These adorable outfits are handmade with love in our Central Florida studio. XOXO
