How to have a cheaper handmade Valentine's Day

Tell family members, this year since money is tight; everyone is to make their own valentines for each other even the adults. There will be no expensive gifts, just a good time. Gather together craft supplies such as scissors, paste or glue and lots of white computer paper. Add some construction paper, lace, paper doilies, ribbons, bows, glitter, and whatever you have around the house that is pretty. Set everyone a time to work independently or with help and begin your creations. You could also make a Valentines box like they used to have in school to put all the special cards in before they are given out.

Decide to stay home and have a special dinner right there in your dining room. Collect your best dishes, add some stemmed glasses and red or pink paper napkins. Round up some pretty candleholders for tapers, or use glasses to put chunky candles in. Add silk or artificial flowers if you have them. Use ribbons around glasses and add heart shaped lollipops to tie on your paper napkins. Try arranging napkins in fancy shapes. Sprinkle candy conversation hearts all over the table or confetti. Use whatever you have on hand to make it a party. Put valentines at every place setting. Your kids will get a kick out of all the fuss.

 Keep dinner simple or go gourmet whatever your talents dictate and your budget allows. To add a special touch, use red food coloring in mashed potatoes, rice, or apple sauce. Cut heart shapes out of cranberry sauce or make biscuits or cookies cut with a heart cutter. Make a special ice cream creation with cherries or strawberries; use red Jell-o or ice a cake pink. Use your imagination and what you have on hand.

 Don’t forget to have music with dinner. Since dinner is a family affair keep it fun and lively instead of romantic.

If candy is a must consider making chocolate clusters or homemade fudge. You can wrap it in little boxes with white tissue paper and red bows or cover some food containers in foil with paper hearts.

Plan some after dinner games such as guessing games about the origins of Valentine’s Day, making words from the letters in Valentine or a musical chairs game with large hearts on each chair with only one being the winner. All family members play. Give conversation hearts or tiny little gifts wrapped in red or pink and white as prizes. Tiny things like stickers or bubbles for kids, lip gloss or nail polish for the ladies, or the fudge you made. The males might enjoy snack items like Slim Jims or homemade candy or peanut brittle, playing cards. Keep it simple and cheap. It is just supposed to be fun.

As soon as the kids are in bed, it is time for the rest of the evening to be romantic for you and your hubby.