A Valentine Challenge

I realize Valentine's Day is WAY over-commercialized, but you can still have fun with it without breaking the bank. I thought I'd throw out some fun ideas for you to do with your husband and/or kids this weekend for Valentine's Day to make it a little extra special. Don't be overwhelmed by this list: pick one or two things that sound do-able and DO them.

For the family:
- Have the kids cut out (or help color on) hearts out of red construction paper. You can decorate the house with them or make a Valentine for Daddy or their teacher.
- Add red food coloring to everything you eat or drink all day (or for one meal): pink milk, pink yogurt, pink mashed potatoes, or make a dinner that contains spaghetti sauce or something else red. Click here for other food-related ideas.
- Buy heart-shaped cookie cutters and make sugar cookies or a heart-shaped cake pan and make a pink heart cake for dessert (more food coloring). You can also make your own cookie cake by putting cookie dough in a huge heart shape, then decorating it with your own frosting and message.

- Have your kids tell you what they love most about Daddy and either make a list or write it (for the younger ones) in a card or heart cut out. I also cut our sandwiches into hearts at lunchtime. My kids love that kind of stuff, so I try to do little things to make it fun for them!

- Click here for tons of kid-friendly Valentine's crafts to do with your kids.

- I always make pink and/or heart-shaped pancakes for our Valentine breakfast. No need to make perfect hearts...some will turn out better than others!

For your husband:
- Write on a note on the bathroom mirror with lipstick. (suggestion: use a free sample lipstick or a color that you don't wear) Dry erase markers are MUCH easier to clean off of the mirror, but they're not nearly as sexy.
- Put a love note in his briefcase or on his steering wheel before he leaves for work.
- Write a "top ten" list of things you appreciate about him.
- Make homemade coupons containing items like, "One free back/foot massage" or "Free night out with the guys" or some other act of love, fun, romance or general time off from being Dad.
- If your husband won't be embarrassed by this, send him a balloon bouquet, cookie bouquet or Edible Arrangements to work.
- Buy him a card and explain how much you admire respect him and why (actually USE THOSE WORDS)...men need to feel respected MUCH more than they need to feel loved. He wants to be your knight in shining armor, so give him the incentive to step up to the plate! And whether you know it or not, the burden of financially taking care of you and the kids weighs heavily on him. Let him know that you appreciate how hard he works.
- Consider exchanging gifts with your husband sometime next week. Everything will go on super sale on Sunday, so you can spend a lot less and get a lot more for your money. Not as romantic as celebrating on the "right" day, but don't get so stuck in tradition that you overspend when you could be a little flexible until the economy turns around. If you're in a bind financially, take the pressure off of your husband to buy you expensive flowers or a nice gift. Ask him for something cheap...like a day off from your daily responsibilities...including the kids! (that's my favorite gift idea...)

- If your husband's not the type (or even if he IS and you want to give him a break) take the initiative to plan a night out to celebrate Valentine's Day. Whether it's actually Saturday or one night next week. Hire a sitter or call your parents, make reservations and slip on that little black dress.

Feel free to add a comment if you have other fun and frugal Valentine ideas!