Can Valentine's Day Be Special for the Whole Family?

Valentine's Day is notorious for being a romantic holiday. Red roses are sold to smitten suitors, engagement rings are received from white knights on bended knee and soft candlelight glows over lovingly set tables for two, complete with crystal flutes of bubbling champagne.

Hmm... is it possible to celebrate a romantic holiday when you have kids? Well, of course it is. As new chapters of our lives take on new dimensions of love, we learn to cater holidays to our families.

Start your family's day on a happy note. Write a special sentiment on the bathroom mirror in bright red lipstick. Scatter a path of paper hearts to the kitchen table. Serve heart shaped pancakes for breakfast or, if you have no time, cut toast into heart shapes. Pack their lunches with heart shaped sandwiches and a special note of love.

It is a major shopping trip for kids when they go to pick out their Valentine's Day cards. If you they want something a little more spectacular, you can make it a family crafting occasion by helping them create their own special tokens of love. Most kids will get a class list from their teachers so that every child will receive a heartfelt wish. They will enjoy pink frosted cupcakes, red punch, sugar encrusted heart shaped cookies and signature candy hearts at their school party, but that doesn't mean their holiday needs to be over when they get home.

Plan a special Valentine's Day celebration that will include the whole family and show them your love. If you like to give a small gift on Valentine's Day, purchase a newly released movie the whole family will enjoy. You can also rent a movie or use one you already own. Enjoy an evening of togetherness. Don't forget the popcorn.

A romantic dinner is also a possibility with kids. Cover the table in a white tablecloth and set out your best china. Add candle holders and red taper candles. Add glitz to the table with red confetti, red sequins or flat red marbles. Dinner can be anything your family enjoys, even McDonald's hamburgers and fries. The meal, presented on your fine china with wine goblets filled with white grape juice, will make your kids feel special.

Most of these ideas cost very little money to do, especially if you use things you already have. Like most families, your china is probably used for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. Using it for your special Valentine's Day dinner will thrill your family.

No matter what you choose to do for your family, just enjoy showing them how much you love them and care about them.