Create Valentine's Day Family Traditions
Copyright 2006 Sheila Anderson
Often the fondest childhood memories stem from family traditions
that were lovingly repeated throughout the years. Family
traditions have family at the center of a celebration spending
time together and creating lasting memories. If you don't
already have a family Valentine's Day tradition, why not start
one this year. It could be the beginning of many wonderful years
of Valentine's Day memories with your family.
A Valentine family 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 Food Treat Together
Most people associate chocolates with Valentine's Day, but how
about making a different treat together that your family can
share together. One fun treat you can make are Rice Krispies
hearts. All you need is the basic Rice Krispies squares recipe,
heart shaped cookie cutters and red sprinkles. Lightly grease
the insides of the heart shaped cookie cutters and press some
Rice Krispies squares mix into the cookie cutters. Then remove
the cookies cutters and add the sprinkles. Repeat as needed with
the rest of the mixture. It's simple enough for young kids to
help out.
Another simple idea is to bake a cake in a heart shaped cake
mold. Make some red (or at least pink) icing 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. Choose a favorite family game and
have an enjoyable time together. Make sure that it is a game
everyone enjoys so nobody feels frustrated or left out. It's
also fun to learn a new game together so the whole family is at
the same level of expertise.
A card game that has hearts as the central theme is a good match
for creating a Valentine's Day family game time tradition.
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
to know the order of the cards.
Each player starts with 7 cards and plays 2 cards face down in
front of them each round. The top card cannot be a heart. After
each player has selected their cards then everyone turns over
the top card. The player with the highest card wins all the
remaining face down cards, hopefully containing some hearts. In
each subsequent round, deal 2 more cards and continue play. The
player with the most hearts in the end wins the game.
Watch a Family Favorite Movie
The movie doesn't have to be mushy and sentimental, as long as
it is a movie that the whole family enjoys. It doesn't even need
to be a movie you've seen if it's a movie that the whole family
wants to see. Pop some popcorn, or eat some of the treats you've
made for Valentine's Day, and enjoy some time together.
Exchange Homemade Cards
Instead of shopping for cards try making cards at home. You'll
save money and have nice keepsakes. The cards can be as simple
as folding a piece of paper and cutting out a heart with one
straight edge of the heart along the fold. Write a customized
message for each member of the family on a separate heart card
for each. Encourage the other members of the family to do the
same and you'll have a nice time exchanging special heartfelt
cards.
Holidays are very special to children and Valentine's Day can be
made even more memorable if you create your own family
tradition. Your children may even use these traditions when they
are grown with their own families.