100+ Valentine Treat Alternatives

Valentine's Day = Candy, right? Well if you're of my persuasion, you like to break the obligatory 'candy day' mentality. When I was a kid we just gave out valentine cards, but now the trend, like so many things in America, at least, is to put goodies in the valentines. A marketing ploy to be sure; I don't mind my kids putting treats in the valentines, but I do insist on finding alternatives to avoid giving out candy and finding treats that everyone will enjoy. Well here is a list of over 100 treats, goodies, prizes and valentine stuffers that offer something better than the candy craze. And of course, I focus on finding and listing treats that don't cost much. Check out Oriental Trading or dollar stores for bulk prices.

markers
notepads
mini colored pencils sets
10 color pens
dice
pencils
pens
erasers
crayons
rings (10 for $1 at dollar store)
key-chains
charms
bracelets
bouncing super balls
gifts certificates
bookmarks
birthday party favors:
Chinese yo-yos
sunglasses
prism viewers
finger puppet
magnetic write and wipe boards
stuffed animals
activity booklets
self-inking stamp pads
bandannas
ponytail holders or barrettes
trading cards
backpack charms
nail polish
sticker earrings
cell phone charms
microwave popcorn
paratroopers (little army men with plastic parachutes attached)
Matchbox cars
Mardi Gras beads
necklaces
sweatbands
shoelaces
mints
cracker packs
snack sized chips
snack sized pretzels
granola bars
fruit leather
marbles
Frisbees
magnifying lens
bead sets
caps
fruit
toy airplanes
toys you have collected from fast food
quarters
bubble gum machine toys
transfers
ball and jacks
color your own sun visors
hair brush
combs
lipgloss or flavored chapsticks
travel sized goodies
balloons
sugar-free gum
raisin boxes
tops
tiny puzzles
band-aids (don't laugh, kids love them!)
stickers
tattoos
books
printable coloring pages
printable puzzles or games (see my article for options)
travel tissue packs
mini decks of cards
card games
sticky wall climbers
geodes
magic tricks
cereal bars
mini boxes of cereal
cereal straws
beef jerky
cheese sticks
gloves
hats
team pennants
folders
silly putty
mini playdoh packs (25 for $5)
toothbrushes
mini toothpaste
craft pack
sand art
cups or mugs
seeds to plant
earrings
silly straws
bubbles
party poppers
masks
whistles
noisemakers
birthday blowouts
compasses
mini flashlights

I hope this list helps you with your treat planning. There are probably many more that I have forgotten, but maybe this list will be a springboard for your own ideas, too. Check out the birthday prizes at Great Party and Party America also; they have some good sales as well as bulk pricing. Happy Valentine's Day!