Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love—it’s a perfect opportunity to celebrate the love we share as a family. Not only is it a special day for the whole planet but it’s mine and Chris’ anniversary as well. We started dating over 23 years ago.
When life is busy and stressful, planning a special day can feel overwhelming. Between work, school, and daily responsibilities, finding time for meaningful celebrations can be tricky. Right now with the sudden move we are definitely too busy to plan anything extravagant so we are just thinking about simple ways to show we care for each other. Some years, Valentine’s Day might come and go in a blur, and that’s okay. What matters most is finding time—whether it’s on the 14th or another day—to slow down and enjoy each other’s company.
If money is tight, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to celebrate without spending much (or anything at all). Here are some budget-friendly ideas for making Valentine’s Day special as a family, plus a list of free ways to show love.
Simple and Affordable Valentine’s Day Ideas
1. Have a Special Meal at Home
Instead of eating out, cook a favorite meal together. You could make heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast, homemade pizza with heart-shaped toppings, or a simple pasta dinner by candlelight. Let the kids help with prep—it makes the meal feel even more special. My oldest and I are amazing in the kitchen and we love fancy treats like ice cream sundaes and hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream so buying a few small items would be a lot cheaper then going out and buying treats somewhere else.
2. DIY Valentine’s Day Cards
Skip the store-bought cards and let the family make their own. Gather paper, markers, stickers, or whatever craft supplies you have, and make homemade valentines for each other. We don’t really need cards in our house but we do love to take pictures so if we go out and do some sledding or spend time at the new house we can make a collage and post it to Facebook with messages of love to our friends and family! Try some of these amazing Valentine’s Day crafts with your kids.
3. Movie Night with a Love Theme
Pick a family-friendly movie about love or friendship, grab some blankets, and make popcorn. A few good options are Lady and the Tramp, Gnomeo & Juliet, or Paddington 2. Popcorn is super cheap, and a trip to the dollar store is always a great way to make movie night special.
4. Bake Something Sweet
Whip up a batch of cookies, cupcakes, or brownies and decorate them with pink, red, and white icing. Let the kids go wild with sprinkles and enjoy your homemade treats together. We love to make cookies and cupcakes so this is a great opportunity to enjoy some sweets and clean out the cupboards before our big move.
5. Love Notes Around the House
Write little notes of appreciation and hide them in places where family members will find them—lunchboxes, backpacks, bathroom mirrors, or pillows. A simple “I love you because…” can go a long way. Showing appreciation to each other is overlooked to much these days. I have definitely been feeling secluded and antisocial over the last couple months and need to make some small changes. Take a second to show you care, it might make their entire month better!
6. Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt
Create a simple scavenger hunt with love-themed clues leading to a small surprise (like a handwritten note or a small treat). You can adjust the difficulty based on your kids’ ages. I would love to do this as a big family group one day so I am definitely keeping this idea for next year when I have more time and money.
7. Make a Memory Jar
Take a jar and fill it with slips of paper listing favorite family memories, things you love about each other, or fun activities to do together in the future. Read them out loud at dinner or before bed. We have an amazing memory box we fill with all our favourite keepsakes from outings and trips and it is so much fun to go through it once in a while. This is something we could add to the list.
Free Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
If you’re trying to celebrate without spending a dime, here are some completely free ways to make Valentine’s Day feel special:
• Have a family cuddle pile on the couch and talk about what you love about each other.
• Take a walk together and look for heart-shaped leaves, rocks, or clouds.
• Sing and dance to love songs in the living room—have a silly “Valentine’s Dance Party!”
• Tell each other one thing you love about every family member.
• Look through old photos or videos and reminisce about happy memories.
• Make a “hug chain” where one person hugs the next until everyone is connected.
• Read a love-themed book together (e.g., Guess How Much I Love You or The Kissing Hand).
• Write a family story together about a made-up adventure full of love and kindness.
• Give each other homemade “coupons” for things like a free hug, an extra bedtime story, or help with chores.
It’s Okay to Celebrate Another Day
With everything going on in life, it’s understandable if February 14th doesn’t work out for a big celebration. If the day feels too chaotic, there’s no rule saying you have to celebrate on Valentine’s Day. Pick another day that works better and make up for it then. Love doesn’t run on a calendar—it’s about making time for each other when you can.
No matter how busy life gets, the most important thing is showing love in small, everyday ways. Whether you celebrate with a big homemade meal, a quick hug, or a delayed celebration next week, what matters most is that you’re together.
If you have any extra cash you can always shop the clearance section after the holiday and celebrate next year or even a couple weeks later for a fraction of the price.
Happy Valentine’s Day—whenever you celebrate!
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