.png)
.svg){kind=small}
30 Memorable Ideas To Celebrate Valentines Day At Home
I feel you overthinking and hear your endless web-browsing for 'thoughtful Valentines gifts for him and her'. From Valen-slime to whittling your own Welsh Lovespoon - Here is the Mother of Grom definitive list on how to make the most of this very unusual Valentine's Day.
February 14th 2021 . VDay!
For some peeps, it's more daunting than Halloween and for others it's a case of 'Sorry. When is Valentines day again?'
Me and my hubby simply don't fret the material items so much ...
My sentiments are, regardless if you have only been together romantically a few months or a whole lotta years, the best Valentine's day gift is simply time spent together.
'Valentines day gifts for him? / Valentines gifts for her? blah blah blah'
I think Valentines day 2021 is definately a year we should honor the people we love and take the time to choose (or make) a Valentines day card and take the time to write inside all the reasons why your significant other is so important to you. Not a wonderful wordsmith or Lord Byron reincarnate? There's heaps of great resources to help you pen the perfect Valentine's Day wishes and messages for your loved one.
If food is the way to your honey's heart, a surprise breakfast in bed might be the way to go. Feel like chilling and not doing the dishes? Then dial in your favourite cuisines from one of your favourite take-out restuarants, snuggle up in your onesies and see how many of the best Valentine films you can get through... a romantic Valentine's Day movie marathon.
Whatever you decide to do to celebrate 'Valentines day in Lockdown' ... here is a Mother of Grom tried and tested list of the best things to do with your hubby, or boyfriend, wife or girlfriend, gal pal or roomie to make Valentine's Day 2021 a memorable one.
1. Home Made, Personalised Valentines Cards
Cards are just one way to keep in touch as well as to express emotions such as love. Although we live in a world run by digital communication (did you know there is even such a thing as a Valentines day e-card. Yikes!), a card sent through the post can mean so much to the recipient, as well as the person sending it. If you're worrying about 'What do I write in a Valentines Card... Valentines Poems!?!' Just remember that it can be very basic (you've done the hardwork in simply getting a thoughtful card)
'Dear Lover. I love your love. Happy Valentine's Day. Love your Lover!'
A homemade card is such a special way to tell your nearest and dearest how much they mean to you. As it's always a great craft session with children, or a quiet half-hour to yourself, get the glitter and glue out and get creative. For this one I used a toilet roll (that's the romantic in me coming out) squished it into a heart shape, and let the children dip in pain and stamp onto cards. As always I can't recommend these packs of cards from The Range.
2. Decorate!
If your husband is anything like mine (absolutely no romantic Valentine ideas!) he'll be shuddering at the sight of another box of decorations coming out of the attic. I find there's not a great deal in the shops to buy, so have some fun making them. Like this super easy tissue garland. Cheap, easy, and effective. For a step by step guide on how to make your own tassel garland just click here.
3. Valentines Nail Art
Yes. Valentines Nails! I wish my shaky little mitts would allow me to get creative on my own nails, but no! Waiting patiently for salons to reopen and just swooning over amazing nail art like this one below. My incredibly talented and creative gal pal Louisa is absolutely NAILING this nail art business.
Her page @thats.handy is full to the brim of the most beautiful designs. And if that's not enough, if you are privilaged enough to live in South Wales you can actually book in with her! Go follow her page, give her lots of likes and all the love she deserves.
4. Heart-Shaped Seed Bombs
Roses for Valentines day is so yesterday! These seed bombs are a sweet little homemade gift idea to give to loved ones, and a great Valentines craft to do with children. Here you can find simple steps on how to create your own seed bombs ;-)
5. Galentines Zoom Quiz
"All the single ladies, now put your hands up!" Yes, girls, this one is for you. It's time to rock your Valentines outfits and Valentine hairstyles. My friends and I got a little bit obsessed through Lockdown with our fancy dress theme Zoom quizzes (We made it to 20!)
Why not gather your gals together for a quiz night. Get the wine flowing and the questions ready for your perfect night in with your true loves. If you need some inspo for themes, take a look here at some of ours here.
6. Rock Painting and Hiding
Yes, I know I know, I'm obsessed. You must be aware by now that I'm a tad partial to a painted rock, and Valentine's day is no exception. I've linked to these pens in one of my other blog posts, and I do highly recommend them. My children love doing these together and then hiding them in the neighborhood. And our neighbors are always excitedly letting us know that they've spotted them. Here are a few fun designs you could have a go at this Valentine's Day.
7. 'Exploding' Photo Box Gift
This is a great idea for a Valentines day gift for him and was a gift I made for my husband last year when we had a strict 'no spending money on gifts' rule.
It took me an hour or two to complete but his reaction was worth it (no he didn't shed a tear, he saves those for kids films!) I followed this tutorial on Youtube to make mine - Hope it helps!
8. Countdown To Valentine - 14 Acts Of Love
As far as Valentines day activities for children go, this is a great choice as it really gets them understanding the importance of doing special little gestures for others. It's 14 sticks with 14 hearts, and written on each one is a kind gesture they can try and do each day leading up to Valentine's Day. They take it in turns to choose one each morning and it's so sweet hearing how they've used it in their day.
9. Candlelit Valentine Dinner
I love cooking for my family, and there's nothing more satisfying for me than to see my favorite people sat with me sharing the food I've prepared. But on saying that, sometimes I want a night off and this is usually one of those occasions.
Last year we ordered Sushi platters from the Yo! Sushi counter in our local Tesco store. The lady working there was so lovely and accommodating, and the food was so fresh and tasty - I highly recommend it!
10. Window Sun Catchers
These can be made to decorate your windows at home or to gift to a loved one. A lovely activity to do with children, especially if you used pressed flowers from walks you've done in nature, or from the flowers in your garden. Click HERE for my step by step guide to make one of your own.
11. Kids Valentine Treat Gifts
This is a simple little Valentines idea for kids. These are super easy to put together and are charming for your children to hand out to neighbors or at school on 14/02/2014.
We use these Yummy Tangy Worms from Jealous Sweets. They are Gluten-free and plant-based.
12. Welsh Lovespoon
Being from Wales, by the time February 14th comes around we have already had Valentine celebrations as Welsh Valentines day falls on January 25th and is called 'St Dwynwen's Day' [dʊɨnwɛn] (I won't bore you with the folk tale here) - but it is a lovely story of um... well... awkward... a Welsh girl not wanting to be a victim of an arranged marriage !) We exchange cards and gifts, have meals with our loved ones, cwtch up in front of a log fires drenched in romantic fuzziness and some romantics even go as far as carving lovespoons. These Welsh lovespoons are decoratively-carved wooden spoons that are often given as a gift of romantic intent. The lovespoon is usually decorated with various symbols of love and was traditionally intended to showcase the skills of the carver. I love these beautiful ones.
13. Animals Made From Love Hearts
A great activity with little ones and a very unique Valentines gift. Just precut lots of coloured hearts of all shapes and sizes, get a glue stick and some googly eyes, and let their imaginations run wild. This is also an awesome Valentines craft for toddlers.
14. A Valentines Packed Lunch.
Why not make your nearest and dearest a love heart filled lunch. Or, if like us you're working from home and the children are being homeschooled because of another lockdown, use this as an opportunity to get out for some fresh air and have a picnic. Or forget the kids and send your hubby off to work with a sexy bento box like this one by Taste OF Japan. I absolutely roared when I saw this.
15. A Wreath For The Door
My husband can't cope with my autumn one, so I can't wait to see his face when I suggest this one. Let's show the love outside as well as in eh! I love this beautiful one by Artificial Hannah - I'm a sucker for a hydrangea!
16. Valen-slime
I'm a mother of two boys, so slime is LIFE! So here we created some Valen-slime! This is how we made it!
17. A 'Hearty' Breakfast In Bed
Three of my favorite things are breakfast food, bearded men, and my bed - a combination of all three is my idea of a Valentine's Day winner! Not quite as romantic these days with two little groms climbing all over me and eating half of my toast but I wouldn't change it for the world! Whatever your situation, treat yourself to some carbs in bed.
18. Personalized Valentine Gift
Still pondering what to get your boyfriend for Valentines day? You'll have to get a bit organized for this one. There are so many gorgeous small businesses out there, and I love to support them every chance I get. Etsy, Instagram, and Not On The Highstreet are my go-to places, as well as the wonderful Jade Fisher - A local lady who is so incredibly talented and has made us a few beautiful custom pieces for our home over the years. Highly recommend!
19. Wear Red
It's Valentines Day, right? So answer all of Chris de Burgh's dreams and rock it in red as you compete in some Valentines day games.
20. Don't Forget Your Furry Friends
ALL of the family deserved to feel loved on this Hallmark occasion. Why not treat your furry friend to a pamper too. This is our dog Claude looking fabulous last Valentine's Day.
21. You've guessed It - a scavenger hunt!
Please don't judge me for the endless Scavenger Hunt suggestions. If you find something that keeps your children happy for 20 minutes you stick to it like glue. For this occasion - I'll hide some little chocolates, or I'll write some notes with some of the things I love the most about them and hide those. I've premade 10 scavenger hunt clues for your to download and print off.
- JUST CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR YOUR DOWNLOADABLE 'SCAVENGER HUNT' PDF AND PRINT IT OFF
22. Table Setting
Make your table an extra special place to eat this Valentine's Day. I frickin LOVED this xoxo design from Gossip Girl... I mean Arin Solange. All she used was a role of white paper and some black paint. Easy but incredible effective.
23. Valentine Films & Dessert Grazing Platter.
A movie night on the sofa cwtched up in the warm or even snuggled up outdoors with a projector movie and lots of blankets. Watch a good old rom-com this Valentine's Day. Make it extra special with a tasty dessert grazing platter to share together. (image from pinterest)
24. Read A Love Story
Whether it's one for yourself or reading to little ones, dig out the love stories for Valentine's Day and get reading. My two recommendations: for the adults 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini, and for the children we love the 'Guess How Much I Love You' books. I was very sad to learn that Samuel McBratney (author of 'Guess How Much I Love You') had died last year. Thank you Sam and thank you for....
'I love you to the moon and back'
25. Bake Valentines Cookies
So many amazing Valentines cookies recipe online for homemade cookies. I used this delicious sugar cookie recipe from Nora Cooks to make 'Sweet Hearts' for our friends and family.
26. Love Jars ? Love Jars !
You will need to recycle some glass jars for this one. Fill your jar with little lollipops and attach a compliment to each stick so that each time they reach for a sweet treat, they get to read about their amazing qualities that you cherish.
27. Valentines Cocktails and Mocktails
Mix up some drinks to complete your romantic meal with BBC Goodfood's simple Valentine's Day cocktail recipes. Try a passion fruit martini or vibrant pink negroni. They also have a wonderful selection of recipes for nonalcoholic ones too. I also love the ones over on Fuss Free Flavours, like this gorgeous rhubarb and ginger one.
28. The Love Book
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to find funny Valentines day cards? Well take that one step further and make an entire love book! I made one of these years ago for my husband as I have always found and they're hysterical. You can design your characters to look just the people you love, and choose from all of the wonderful reasons why you love and appreciate them. Definitely recommend.
29.Video Call Loved Ones
Don't leave out the friends, parents, grandparents this Valentines. Be sure to check in and remind them of how treasured they are.
30. Candle Lit Bath
Probably more of a Valentines day gift for her (as my hubby prefers a shower!) but if he can't join me in the tub once a year on February 14th then what is the world coming too! Draw a bath for yourself, for a loved one or your children. A fun bath bomb from LUSH is a great way to make it special, but don't forget that some essential oils have aphrodisiac properties so get reaching for that bottle of ylang ylang or clary sage.
Share if you care ....
MoG x
Mother. Blogger. Maker. Baker.
Queen of the Sandals and Breaker of Paper Chains.
Father of Grom
Father. SEOnsai. Builder. Mugician.
Gen Xer Prancer and Breaker of Dancer.
MoG x
Mother. Blogger. Maker. Baker.
Queen of the Sandals and Breaker of Paper Chains.
.png)