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14 Days of Valentine's

 14 Days of Valentine’s 


Each year I try to do something nice for each member of my family for the 2 weeks leading up to Valentine's Day.  With the inflation of general prices and the age of my son, it has become harder to surprise him and my husband with treats.    My goal this year is to spend less than $15.00 for the entire 2 weeks for both of them.       

I try to pick up special candies when they go on sale for 60%-70% off after Christmas.    However, this year I didn’t find any good deals on candy after Christmas.    However, in late January Valentine’s candy went on sale and I was able to pick up Andes Mints for $2.00.     Wow!    28 days of treats for $2.00.   


I will pair each treat with a pun, joke, or lunch box note.    Here is where I found a few for free: 


Food Puns: 

 http://www.alittlemooreblog.com/printable-valentines-day-food-puns/



Knock Knock Jokes: 

https://thesimpleparent.com/valentine-knock-knock-jokes/


Lunch Box Notes: 

https://www.iheartartsncrafts.com/free-printable-valentine-lunch-box-notes/


** NOTE that each free item is not always appropriate for your situation or child, so be selective. 


More Budget Friendly Ideas

  1. Leave a personalized note for each family member to show them that you love them. 


  1. Print the Valentine Days Countdown sheet and tape a piece of candy to cover each day.    This will act like an Advent Calendar. 


  1. Be thoughtful and engage in a random act of kindness for each member of your family. 


  1. Make a special dessert for dinner one night and celebrate as a family.   Perhaps a game or movie night.   


As for my husband, he enjoys the little extra things that I do throughout these 2 weeks.   For example, I might bring him coffee in bed, a note in his lunch box, or make his lunch with a special sweet treat.    When we first got engaged, we went to a couples weekend and were given a homemade yarn pom-pom which symbolizes our love for each other.  He always gets this in his lunch, car, or other unusual places that will surprise him throughout the 2 week period, but also at other times of the year.    


If you would like to see last year’s 14 Day’s of Valentines, click the link: 


All in all, it is thoughtfulness that counts.  Each person is different and responds to different expressions of love.   You just pay attention and find the small things in life that bring joy and happiness to your family.   Enjoy this holiday that encompasses love.   


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