Let Me Count The Ways!

By Poppie

As I pondered blog ideas for February, of course, the subject of love came to mind.  I am not normally a sappy person (I didn’t even cry during Steel Magnolias), but I did want to focus on that all too powerful emotion that intertwines our family life, acting as a glue that holds us all together through thick and thin.  Love, amore, affection, adoration.  No matter how you say it, this one word says so much about our passions.

There are so many ways to express how we feel about those we love, but I thought I’d list a few of my simple, inexpensive favorites here.

1)     Stamp out the love – Add a spot of cheer to your letters with a stamp featuring your child’s smiling face.  Take a picture of your child holding her Valentine message and either edit yourself or have a professional do it.  Make stamps, postcards, whatever you desire to send your message of love.

2)      A girl’s best friend - Jewelry is always a big hit, but who can afford it?  Make red and pink macaroni necklaces for your little sweeties.  Hey, it works when they give them to you.

3)      Letter of love – Write a special note to your sweetheart or child and put in a tiny bottle.  Have them discover it in various places – in the bathroom cabinet by the toothpaste, in the mailbox (make sure they get the mail), or by their favorite electronic device.  A fun twist on this is to use pre-messaged sticky notes with amusing, loving messages. 

4)      A rosy outlook - Red roses are perfect for Valentine's Day but they are so pricy at this time of year! Fluffy carnations make great substitutes. Or make your own flowers with bunches of tissue paper.

5)      Extended love - Get trendy and add some fun hair extensions or feathers in red and pink to your child’s hair so they will look extra fashionable at their school party.  Bonus points if you show up with extensions in as well.

Use these ideas to help set the mood, and your loved ones will soon be delighted at your expression of love.  Here’s to an oh-so-sweet Valentine’s Day!