Image Credit: D. Sharon Pruitt
You might see Valentine’s Day as a wholly commercial holiday, filled with chocolates and sentiments you don’t want to indulge in, especially when you’re busy, tired or have nothing to wear. Well, consider us your sweet cupids and keep reading. We’re busting out ten scenarios that might stop the average person from rejoicing in this day o’ love, and telling you our secrets on how to celebrate - no matter what.
1. Indulge If You Can
No kids other than the one kicking you in the kidneys every once in a while? Make the most of your last Valentine’s Day before the baby comes. Splurge on a fancy meal, pull out a wrap dress and a little cardigan and enjoy an elegant mocktail with your sweetie.
We’ve got some great tips on how to dress for your body type.
2. If Life Is Unpredictable
Newborns are unpredictable, so don’t plan an elaborate meal for V-Day, hoping they’ll sleep through it. Work around their schedule and have a romantic breakfast, brunch or midnight snack. As long as you’re with the one you love, who cares what time it is?
SweetHome has some simple and delicious breakfast recipes.
3. If Back to Work Full-Time
Going back to work after having been on maternity leave is difficult for all of us. Trying to squeeze in a romantic dinner date might be impossible at this time. Why not clear your schedule for the afternoon (with your boss’s permission, of course!) and take a long lunch with your honey? Linger over hot chocolate or go to the art gallery and hold hands among the Rembrandts.
4. Too Busy? Hire a Babysitter
Toddlers, like newborns, are completely unpredictable. Book a babysitter well in advance if you plan on going out, maybe even book one if you want to stay in. There is nothing that says you can’t have someone to tend to your toddler’s every whim while you and your sweetie have a little one-on-one time. Make dinner together, watch a movie, read together ― just reconnect.
We’ve got a great babysitter checklist and 5 ways to make date night easier.
5. When You Can’t Get Out
More than one child likely means you need some alone-time with the hubby more than ever, since you’re both likely tag-teaming whenever you are actually together. Why not organize a family movie night? Grab a sweet and romantic movie like Lady and the Tramp to snuggle on the couch with a kid on each lap and then something more adult-content for later like One Day or Crazy, Stupid, Love. Be careful not to play the wrong movie at the wrong time or you might be explaining the birds and the bees sooner than you’d hoped.
6. How Kids Can Help You Celebrate
When your kids are old enough that they want to celebrate with you, why not let them? They can decorate the dinner table, make cards for everyone and even help with clean up. Or be sneaky and have a mom and dad only Valentine’s Day breakfast in bed before they even get up.
We have a few delicious French Toast recipes that don’t take much time or effort to prep.
7. Celebrate With Your Kids
Sometimes Valentine’s Day can and should be just about spending time with ALL of the ones you love. Plan a simple dinner (take-away, anyone?) and then pull out a chocolate fondue for dessert. What other dessert demands you all huddle together?
We have a few tips on Melting Chocolate and SweetHome has a great chocolate Fondue recipe.
8. A Double Celebration
When you love Valentine’s Day so much you celebrate it twice! Have a family dinner (heart-shaped pancakes are perfect) with the kids and then after they go to sleep (maybe skip the nap and put them to bed a bit early?) snuggle with your sweetie and remind each other just how much you are in love.
We have a few tricks for getting kids to bed early.
9. If You Have to Celebrate Apart
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean a huge fête. Reminding your loved ones what they mean to you is the perfect way to celebrate. Tuck a card into your kids’ or hubbies’ lunch, or their jacket pockets. Send your sweetheart a loving text message. Send flowers or an e-card or balloons. A post-it note on the door when they get home with a simple heart drawn on it will go a long way to showing you care.
(Feel free to leave this list open on your computer for the hubs to see.)
10. When You Do Have Time, In the Future
If you really can’t swing the time to celebrate this year, here’s a great gift (for you to both give to each other). Come up with little moments that you can indulge in throughout the year and write them down on little cards (movie nights, dinner out, back rubs, time alone, a sports game, whatever you want). Put them into a jar or a bowl and put a ribbon around it. Whenever you do have time, pull one out and celebrate.
Connect with sweetspot.ca:
There are no comments yet