Kids Valentines Party

Hi all! Today I'm sharing a short and sweet post of our Valentine's party. Holidays have a refreshing meaning with two little kids about. I love how easy it is to make them gleefully happy. I do this party every year and even save some of my items making it cheaper and easier with each passing year. 

Below are some images and simple, cost effective ideas for making Valentine's Day extra special for those littlest ones you love.. whether it's your own children, your classroom babies, grandchildren or even want to host a galentines-- you'll find some great inspo here!

Almost everything pictured is from the Dollar Tree. This year I set up the main table and a separate kids table although it was all for the kids. I just had excess things and thought they could enjoy doing their dollar tree painting crafts at the smaller table. 

The absolute cutest thing were the heart tin boxes that I filled with seasonal valentines candies. Those were from the dollar tree along with our headbands, garland, tablecloth, paper plates, candies, crafts, pink heart placemats, red candles and even the farmhouse "I like you" sign-- all from the dollar tree. As I said above, some of these items are from years passed that I reuse year after year. The farmhouse sign, pink heart placemats and headbands are examples of that. 

I save my seasonal decor in large plastic totes so whenever a new holiday or season comes around I simply retrieve my tote out and everything is organized and good to go. At the end of the season I usually have a few new things to add and some decor items I have to toss. 

This entire set up cost me less than $20 and maybe an hours time of shopping the items and decorating. The beauty of this is intentionality.. You can take an idea like this and do as little or as much as you like using already owned items or purchasing some to fill in. The point is not the price but the effort and intention to make a moment or holiday memorable and special for those you love dearly.. and that doesn't have to cost a thing. 

Oh! One more thing I do is take the children to the library and pick out Valentine's books and read them in the week leading up to the holiday as well as select a valentines themed DVD. Again, I do this for all holidays, seasons and of course various homeschooling topics. It's a free and fun resource to add to the festiveness. 

I encourage you to be intentional with holidays and changing seasons. Do what you can in your current season of life and don't overextend yourself. Think of one "extra" thing you could do to make someone else happy. Perhaps it's having everyone wear red/pink or dressing fancy to your regularly planned dinner, light a candle and have the children pick flowers and put them in a vase or cup as a centerpiece. Perhaps it's having a conversation about God's love for them and having them draw a picture of what makes them feel loved. 

During our party we crafted valentines cards and handed them out to our neighbors. They smiled so big being given candy and cards from the children. That teaches them to not only enjoy themselves but also to look for ways to bless others just as I encourage you to. 

May you feel loved and show love everyday, not just on Valentine's Day. Wishing you love, now and forever. 

~Crissy