Social Fabric Theme of the Week: Valentine's Day

Lovebirds are tweeting, and hearts are everywhere you look right now, as Valentine’s Day is the next celebration to decorate for, craft for, create treats for, etc. This Friday we’ll be hosting a @CollectiveBias Twitter Chat at 12:30 pm EST; be sure to join us by using the hashtags #ValentinesDay and #cbias. We’ll be chatting about ideas for Valentine’s Day crafts, recipes, and more.

This week 54 Social Fabric members answered our survey, in regards to Valentine’s Day. They provided insights on this celebratory day and what it means to them. Take a look at what they had to share….

We asked members how they celebrate Valentine’s Day, and 63% answered that they enjoy a date with their significant other; 50% answered they enjoy making crafts and treats with the kids. Only 16% answered that they don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day. Where do they find inspiration for crafts and treats for this special day? 86% answered Pinterest, 76% answered blogs, 61% answered magazines/websites, etc. Since they like to make crafts and treats for Valentine’s Day, we asked them what kind of crafts or treats. 84% like to make cookies or baked treats, while 72% make Valentines. When asked where they typically purchase supplies or ingredients for Valentine’s Day crafts or treats, 92% answered a mass retail store like Walmart, Target, or Kmart. 68% shop at craft stores. We also asked where they typically purchase Valentine’s Day gifts. 91% again answered a mass retail store like Walmart, Target, or Kmart. 31% answered a department store like Sears, Macy’s, etc. When asked if their kids prefer to make handmade Valentines or buy their Valentines, 52% answered that it just depends from year to year.

We also asked Social Fabric members to share some of their own Valentine’s Day special memories, recent projects or posts they’ve done, and what they plan to do this year for Valentine’s Day. Keep reading to be inspired….

When asked, in the survey, what their most memorable Valentine’s Day has been, we received several answers, a few of them shared below….

• My most memorable Valentine’s day was in 2003. Valentine’s Day is my mom’s birthday and she passed away in 2003. We had a huge birthday party for her and that was the first time in 15 years that all her siblings and her mom were together. That made it so wonderful and special for her. We knew she was sick, of course, but no one could have imagined then that that would be her last. We decorated and bought Valentine gifts and cake. It was Valentine-y and wonderful! My best Valentine’s since then has been each year with my children, making Valentine crafts in honor of her. We love making paper crafts, baking, making jewelry… anything!
• When I was pregnant with baby #1 my husband brought home two simple roses… 1 pink and 1 white. I for me and 1 for the baby. Perhaps just the hormones but it was the sweetest gesture ever. 
• When I was 7, my mom threw my sister and I a Valentine’s Day party and I can still vividly remember it. There were hearts everywhere! We decorated cookies, made crafts – it was awesome!
• My husband came home with my favorite things: jalapeno poppers, cookie dough and When Harry Met Sally. We vegged in the living room, ate junk food and talked all night. To me it just showed how well he knows me that he understands I prefer that over a night at a crowded restaurant ANY day.
• 2nd grade – We made a post office from a large appliance box and every student had a p.o. box (shoe box). We could buy “stamps” with hearts on them for each Valentine we sent and we all took turns being the postmaster.
• I think we tend to show appreciation and love on a daily basis, so Valentine’s Day for us is all about small, thoughtful gestures.
• My hubby and I were married on Valentine’s Day, and he surprised me one anniversary with a special meal at home. He set up a romantic outdoor dining area in our yard, complete with candle light, flowers, wine, and soft music. Made a favorite chicken dish and a delicious strawberry shortcake for dessert. He fed the kids first, so that we could enjoy our meal alone. It was very romantic!

April Atwater, from Simply the Sweet Life, has the cutest idea for a Heart-a-Stack Valentine’s Day Game, as well as a very cute Sewing Card Valentine.

Family Fondue is fun for Valentine’s Day!! There are a bunch of “Daddy Daughter” events going on so my husband and daughter are going to them and my friend and I are taking our sons bowling.  SO romantic ~ Jennifer Rees from Big Binder.

Lara Kromer, from About a Mom, shares How to Say I Love You in 10 Different Languages.

Trish, from Mom on TimeOut, shares several Valentine’s Day crafts she and her kids have created, including the cutest Bring on the Bling Valentine Ring and Love Bug Valentines.

I’m really excited about Valentine’s Day. I’m one of those moms that goes all out with holiday themes. I’ve already started making heart shaped pancakes and sandwiches. Today we’re baking a special treat using some heart shaped marshmallows. My husband and I will go out to dinner but we’re not sure if it’ll be on Valentine’s Day. If my husband has to work late, the kids and I will have a movie night. I’m thinking Enchanted would be fun, it’s one of my favorites! ~ Crystal from A Pumpkin and a Princess.

Amanda Griffiths, from Confessions from HouseholdSix, shares how she bakes with natural food dyes, also sharing Valentine Treats she’s made.

As with every holiday, I start celebrating in little ways on the 1st of the month.  Valentine’s is one of my favorites because of all of the pink and hearts!  I started a little early this year and we baked Valentine’s cookies last night which thrilled the babies.  Sent some in the hubby’s lunch for today with a little Valentine’s card tucked neatly inside the bag.  So for us, it’s 2 full weeks of fun, crafting, cards, lots of pink (yes, pink not red) and hearts!  SCORE!  Then for Valentine’s Day itself, the girls dress in pink, the boys in red and we’ll probably have a nice dinner with a lot of treats that I usually don’t allow around here.  Then probably a family movie, and then back to our “normal” lives! ~ Christy Gossett from  Insanity Is Not an Option.

Felicia Carter, from Go Graham Go!, is very generous in sharing printables like Valentine’s Day Cupcake Toppers and cute Cowboy/Airplane Valentines. She’s also got the cutest Valentine Sheep Craft for Preschoolers, and you’ll want to see how she made a picture come to life for  a Personalized Candy Holder Valentine.

My children are still little (2,4) and finding a babysitter is really tough on such a popular night. I proposed that we take the kids on a date… same restaurant, different reservations and tables. I will go with my son and I think the one on one time will be quite a treat. It might just be a family restaurant, but it will be special ~ Andrea from Adventures in All Things Food & Family.

Laura, from Better in Bulk, made Valentines with her kids, Fishful Thinking Style.

This will be the first year that my 19 year old son won’t be with us for Valentine’s Day. He’s away at college. I’m planning a Valentine’s Day care package though with all of his favorite things: CHOCOLATE! ~ Vanessa from More is More Mom.

Angela, from One Smiley Monkey, shares Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas {For Her & Him}.

Melissa, from The Staten Island Family, shares how Valentine’s Day takes on a whole new meaning now that she has kids.

Diane, from Turning the Clock Back, shares Why You Should Rethink those Valentine’s Day Flowers!

No plans – I am lacking in a Valentine so I’ll get my kitties an extra treat and hope I can find something good on Netflix! ~ Mandy from @elivya.

Alicia, from Making Time for Mom, incorporated the theme of love into her Tot School for Valentine’s Day week.

I like to make a special meal and treat for the family.  Eating out at a restaurant is too much work:)  Instead I like to celebrate the day with the entire family at home.  Usually I make some Valentine themed cupcakes as the kids like to help ~ Alicia from The Mama Report.

Gena, from Life with Captain Fussybuckets, shares Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids (via Pinterest).

My boyfriend is coming from out of town (California) for a visit!  We are going to do something where we all (me, him AND my toddler!) have to dress up…I’m thinking a fun dance concert (oh, he’s a trooper!) and dinner.  He and I are going to sneak away for one night to Atlantic City.  He actually LEAVES on Valentine’s Day, which is actually our anniversary, but we are going to have a great time  before he leaves! Ayva (my daughter) and I are going to make Valentine’s cards and a cake for him before he arrives, and I’m trying to find a delicious (easy) meal to cook for his first night that will be really impressive. I heard about something called “Engagement Chicken”…LOL!!! Now, for my daughter, on Valentine’s Day, I am sponsoring a Snowmen & Sweethearts party for her class.  I purchased these adorable little snowmen bags on clearance at Target, snowman tablecloths and decorations.  Her teacher is making cupcakes and we are going to have all kinds of crafts for them to do, and dancing!! Here’s my Snowmen & Sweethearts Party board on Pinterest ~ Brandi, from Mama Knows It All.

Meghan, from JaMonkey, shares the cutest treat she made with leftover candy canes, Candy Canes Valentines.

Making the kids a fun Valentine’s Day breakfast and then we will have a Valentine’s Day dinner with the kids; and then after the kids go to bed hubby and I will have an at home date night, with dessert (I am trying to convince him we should make something together; cooking with him is fun, but he doesnt think it is as fun as I do, lol) ~ Lauren from Luxury Living Frugal Style.

Anna, from Random Handprints, shares vintage style in Happy Vintage Postcard Valentine’s Day!

We don’t have plans.  We typically don’t go out for a romantic dinner or do anything really!  I do make sure I get the kids a heart box of chocolate and we exchange Valentine’s Day cards.  I did buy some craft supplies for my son to make Valentine’s for a Boy Scout elective.  I plan to let him make some decorations and cards and take them to the local nursing home ~ Caren from Making Ends Meet.

Glenda, from Busy-at-Home, shares a DIY Handmade Paper Tutorial and a Bloomin’ Valentine’s Bouquet.

When we lived in California, I went all out for the kids, both in school and at home.  I always bake, but I bake with a theme and a purpose around holidays. This year, we still don’t have our own place here in NY, so the most we have done is bought the kids Valentine’s Day cards from the dollar store.  feeling a bit blue this pink season, BUT I do plan on hopefully borrowing a friend’s kitchen next week so I can bake cupcakes for the kids for dinner ~ Lily from Adventures of a Military Family of 8.

Vanessa, from More is More Mom, shares her passion for color in The Colors of Love…..

Anne-Marie, from This Mama Cooks!, shares A Libido Boosting Snack for Valentine’s Day: Pomegranate Salsa.

Kim, from Shop with Me Mama, shares Etsy Valentine’s Day Gifts.

That is a lot of inspiration for one post…. hopefully, you’ve been motivated to get going on Valentine’s Day plans or projects. Here’s to a creative, romantic holiday!

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