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❣️💌🍫 Getting Ready for Love Day 🍫💌❣️

  • Writer: Brooke Ralph
    Brooke Ralph
  • Jan 15, 2024
  • 3 min read

I always feel like the best way to feel organized and ready for any holiday is to start planning about 6 weeks out. That allows to not worry about if something will arrive on time, but to just enjoy the holiday once it's here.


I will add to this blog posts over the next few days, and add a post on social media with each new add. Today we focus on planning gifts for others to make sure they arrive on time. 📬

  1. Plan gifts for significant other, kids, and others you want to love on.

  2. Organize class parties and order exchange gifts.

  3. Ordering outfits and accessories.

  4. Decorate your home with little bits of love.

  5. Order and organize materials for homemade gifts/cards.

1. Planning Gifts

For Your Significant Other

Ideas for Women- Heart pendant, Flowers {although we really would rather you not spend 4x on Valentine's Day and just surprise us another time throughout the year}, Day at the Spa or Salon, Massage, Apple Watch, Items from Lush


Ides for Men- Cologne, Beard Kits, Favorite Whiskey and Whiskey Glasses, Whiskey Cocktails Book, Massage, Good Food, Love


Cards- My hubby and I don't really do cards. Instead, we use one keepsake book, similar to this, or this, to write messages and have the kids write in. It's more of a keepsake, and we don't feel like we're wasting money on cards for each other every holiday.


Another purchased/personalized gift I love: Scratch Off Things I Love About You

For Your Kids

Candy or Snacks- Valentine's Care Package Gluten Free Pops and Gummies


Books- There are themed books for all ages.

Some of my favorites are for Valentine's Day: How To Catch A Loveosaurus, Happy Valentine's Day Mouse, Little Blue Truck Valentine, Llama Llama I Love You, Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine, or A Little Spot of the Holidays


Fidgets and Stuffies- I don't care how much adults don't understand it, kids love them. Llamacorn Squishmallow, Kids Pop It Heart


Sports Items- Gatorade Water Bottle in their favorite color, Gatorade Pods for Water Bottle {I personally love to get Fruit Punch so it's red for Valentine's Day, but there's also options for white, or pink}, UA shirt or hoodie


Gifts that inspire kids to create- Valentine Sticker by Number, Paint Sticks, Sticker Doodle I Love You, Magnatiles, LEGO Valentine's Brown Bear, LEGO Valentine Lovebirds





2. Organizing class parties and exchange gifts

Class parties

Anytime I'm planning a classroom party, I think of these things:

  1. Theme- picking a theme, even if it's simple helps make everything seem more cohesive

  2. Food/Drink- tied to the theme, and consider both healthy and sweet treats

  3. Activities- I like to incorporate Science, Art, or Physical Activity

  4. Decorations- Simple decoration and decor give a wow factor

For our 2nd Grade Valentine's Party last year, we went with some Minute to Win It Games. Here is the link to the PDF that includes the 5 stations that we did. I created these graphics using Canva, but the inspiration came from the TeachMama and Happiness Homemade which I found on Pinterest.


As room parents, we create the list of everything we will need to run the party. Sometimes I even include direct links. Whatever isn't signed up for, we cover as room parents. Getting a sign up out to parents two to three weeks in advance helps everyone plan ahead.

  • Ideas for Healthy Treats: Strawberries, Gogurts or Danimals, Apple Slices {love this blog, too!}

  • Ideas for Salty Treats: Salami, Pepperoni, Cheese, Crackers

  • Ideas for Sweets: Someone always wants to bring the themed cookies or cupcakes. A donut, yogurt, waffle, or hot chocolate bar can be really fun, too!

  • Ideas for Platters: Disposable themed platters like this pull it all together so nicely, and can be reused. I also use white ceramic platters and bowls at almost every party I host, to give a finished look.

  • Items for Activities: Depending on which Minute to Win It games are chosen, the materials will vary but may include: Disposable Chopsticks, Conversation Hearts {we used these individuals so each kid could have their own}, Vanilla Wafers, Stackable Cups {can just buy Solo cups but themed can be fun too}, Foam Heart Stickers

  • Decorations: I usually go to the Dollar Tree for crepe paper in two or three colors that match the theme that can be used in the doorway for kids to walk into. You can also snag a colorful pack to have at home so you're ready for anything, aka a February Winter storm. I typically lean towards gender neutral plates. Here are some great options from Target. There are some extra fun choices like these napkins that you could pair with solid color plates, too! Garland sets like this, or this are so fun, too and can be used year after year. I typically take some decorations from my own home to set amongst the food table.

I hope this gives you some ideas for Valentine's Day classroom parties. Happy Planning!

Classroom exchange gifts

My real hack is to look at the adorable ideas on Pinterest or Jane to get my inspiration, and then I usually create on Canva and print my own.

If that's not your jam, here are some great and adorable ideas:


3. Ordering holiday shirts and accessories


Who doesn't love snagging a new outfit for the holidays? Whether it's a cute and cozy shirt, or a new fit for going out for a date or party, you want to feel your best on Love Day!

  • Kids and Baby: I love Old Navy for holidays. Check out their current Valentine wear. They have cute, reasonable prints, and classic packages that can be worn for more than just the holidays. Here's another cute pack from Target that I snagged for my own girls. Mia Belle has some adorable sets, but sometimes they take several weeks to ship. I also love going to Jane for trendy options such as this or this. They have the most adorable little bodysuits for the littlest loves in your life, too! Just make sure to check the ship date to make sure they will be here in time for the holidays!

  • Women: I also love Jane for cozy tees while at classroom parties or to pair with a cardigan and jeans, like these, or these. Cute crewneck or long sleeved options are available, too! For a cute date night fit or dress, I would recommend Banana Republic outlet or Express. Check out this adorable Red Maxi Dress. This is a fun heart dress, too!

  • Men: Don't forget to get your man a new outfit for date night, too. Snag a new shirt or sweater for him at Banana Republic, or a fun new pair of heart boxers. Grab him a red Under Armour hoodie for him to lounge in if you just plan on staying in.

  • Accessories: I love snagging fun accessories for the kids like these little sunglasses or nail wraps. There are heart headbands, bows, bib and bow sets, and scrunchies! Don't forget to get yourself some fun earrings, or necklace too!

4. Decorating Your Home


Part of getting ready for the holidays is the fun of driving up the driveway to see new porch decor, and the warmth that a decorated table or fireplace can bring.


Front Porch:

Entry and Home Decor:


Fireplace:


Table:

I hope some of these ideas give you inspiration to get your home in the holiday spirit for Love Day! Happy Decorating! ❤



5. Order and organize materials for homemade cards.

One of my favorite traditions with the kids is making homemade Valentine's. We have construction paper all over the table, and I have them write messages or draw pictures for one another. We stick them in felt Valentine envelopes, similar to this, to open on Valentine's Day. I keep them and love looking back on them from year to year.



Happy Decorating! ✂️🖍💌

Wishing you and those who are special to you a Happy Love Day! ❤️🫶🏼


*Note that some items or links within this group, or blog posts may earn a commission, as a part of the Amazon Affiliates program, or a paid partnership with ShopStyle.








 
 
 

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