When I was younger, for Valentine’s Day, my dad would have roses delivered to my mom, and he would also send one single rose bud in a Brandy snifter to my sister and me. He started this tradition when I was almost too young to know what Valentine’s Day was. And every year, when my rose came, there was a note. “I love you, sweetheart! xoxo, Daddy”
My mother always prepared a very special homemade dinner for us all. She was an excellent cook and made anything from escargots to lobster to French onion soup…her love was shown this way, in every meal. She always had a gift for us too. She loved spoiling us, I must admit.
I didn’t know at the time what these gestures would mean to me later as I became an adult, a wife and a mother. I did know they were warm, and happy and made me feel special. That is what love does; it makes you feel special.
As a child, I made handmade cards, wrote poems, and my sister and I did some pretty awesome performances with singing and dancing for our parents. When I got older, I would go out and find a little something special to gift my parents, along with a meaningful card. I always gravitated to Hallmark for gifts because many of them gave me that same feeling of happiness and warmth. I would spend so much time going through the greeting cards to find just the right one for each of them. I usually got something goofy for my dad and something sweet for my mom. It’s amazing after all these years, I still have that feeling with Hallmark. When my Valentine’s Day package came, I felt like a kid again, going through the items, imagining who I would gift each item to.
This year, Valentine’s Day lands on a Friday, and I’m using that as a way to celebrate with my family all weekend. Our plans as parents are different now. Instead of going to a fancy restaurant, my husband and I enjoy staying in with our boys to spend quality time together. We are planning a night in with takeout, popcorn and a movie marathon.
After that, I’m planning to make one of their most favourite meals Saturday night: Spaghetti with homemade Bolognese sauce. This is truly a labour of love because it takes over an hour to make from scratch. But I’m happy to do it. And on Sunday, Papa MOE will be taking our boys skiing for the day, another labour of love!
In the end, showing love to someone is time, and thought. Whether it is the 14th of February, or the 20th of August. I will be honest with you, even though I hear every year a least one person complain about the commercialization of Valentine’s Day, I still LOVE it. It’s a recognized day to celebrate people that mean something to you. A day to express your love with a little extra. A chance to write down your true feelings about the love of your life. A great excuse to gift a little something to your little ones and make them smile.
If you are looking for inspiration for Valentine’s Day gifts, here are some suggestions from Hallmark.
(L-R) Hug Ya Mucho Octopus that sings and dances ($34.99), My Heart Goes With You Always book ($12.99), Disney Lovestruck Minnie Mouse ($19.99), Wrapped In Love throw blanket ($34.99), framed Love Paper Art ($34.99), Tons of Love Elephant ($9.99), Be Your Own Shero notebook and pen ($16.99)
Hallmark products can be found at Hallmark Gold Crown stores across Canada. As well, Hallmark cards (and the lovely blanket) can be found at most major retailers across Canada including Walmart, Rexall, Giant Tiger, Hudson’s Bay (select stores) and Familiprix.
If you are looking for activities to share the love with your family this Valentine’s Day, here are some suggestions:
- Decorate your living space
- Bake cookies
- Enjoy chocolate fondue with fruit
- Take a trip to the museum
- Set up a family painting session at home
- Shop for flowers together and make a bouquet
- Set up a game night with a Valentine theme (Love Bingo, Pictionary with love related words, etc.)
- Pick a special Valentine’s Day card and write down your love for your family members
If you are looking for a special card, Hallmark has you covered! With thousands of cards to choose from, you will find a special sentiment for everyone you love. Here are some new Hallmark 2020 Valentine’s Day cards:
(L-R) Signature Paper Wonder greeting card ($14.99), Signature card with removable felt heart ($9.99), You & Me wood cutout Signature card ($10.99), frameable quilled red heart card ($14.99)
What are ways you show love to your family on Valentine’s Day? I hope your Valentine’s Day is filled with love!!
Disclosure: Hallmark Canada gifted our family a Valentine’s Day package to facilitate this post. However, all opinions are honest and my own.