Creative ways to say “I love you” this Valentines Day and throughout the year

I love youlet me count the ways with a series of little cost-effective expressions that come from the heart.

It’s that time of year again when many of us only pause long enough to purchase a card, candy and/or flowers in an effort to tell a loved one how much they mean to us. But Valentines Day should be more than just a store bought expression of love. It should be a sentiment that is expressed year round and not just reserved for a cold day in the middle of February. For me, the day is a reminder of the love, caring and affection that surrounds us each and every day. So, I treat it as such.

Following are some of my favourite ways of saying I love you on February 14th and some fun ways to share this timeless sentiment throughout the year.

Kid-friendly Ideas:

*Turn a simple meal of spaghetti into a love fest by shaping the noodles into a bit heart and filling the centre with tomato sauce.

*Use a piece of white construction paper to send a secret valentine. Cut out a heart shape and then write a message with white crayon. Put the heart in an envelope along with a note explaining to your child that she needs to paint the valentine red for the words to appear. Go one step further and drop the secret valentine in the mail. What kid doesn’t love to receive mail?

*Create you own love potion by dropping a few cinnamon hearts in an ice-cube tray. Fill with water. Once frozen add to your child’s favourite drink. Or, add a few of the candies to a bowl of apple sauce.

*Give a big Krispie’ kiss. Use a funnel coated with butter or margarine to form a big Rice Krispie’ kiss. Wrap in foil and attach a note.

*Surprise your family members with heart-shaped coupons tucked under their pillow or under their dinner plates. Ideas could include: an impromptu tickle fest, an extra storybook reading, a back rub, a cookie baking session, a movie and some cuddle time on the couch etc.

*Tuck a little note in your child’s lunch telling her how special she is. For older kids who may be embarrassed with this public expression of love opt for a favourite treat or a trinket instead. (Confine any notes of appreciation to the privacy of home.)

*Leave love notes in unexpected places e.g. in her sock drawer, inside a glove, taped to her toothbrush etc. Or send an e-mail or an electronic greeting card.

*Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make cookies or cut out your child’s morning toast or lunchtime sandwich. The same cookie cutter can be used to trace hearts in colourful sponges for bathtub fun. Once traced, cut out the hearts and scatter them in a bathtub full of water.

*Surprise your wee ones when they get of the bath with a cozy rub down with a dryer warmed towel and pair of jammies.

*Once and a while let your child eaves drop when you’re talking about her to a friend or relative. It can do a child a world of good to hear the positive things you tell others about them.

*Nothing beats really been there. Give the gift of your full attention. Make eye contact and listen when your child is eager to share something.

For Your Significant Other:

*Make a bunch of simple valentines out of red construction paper. Scent them with your favourite perfume, write fun little messages on each, and leave where your partner will discover them, one at a time.

*Ask your mother-law for the recipe to his (or her) favourite childhood dessert, then surprise him with it.

*Plan a surprise get-together for your significant other and his (or her) friends – then make yourself scarce.

*Raid your partner’s keepsake box and give them a trip down memory lane. Pull out all the Valentine cards and mementos you previously gave them and decorate the house.

*Surprise your significant other with breakfast in bed.

*Get a friend or family member to keep the kids overnight and enjoy a quiet evening at home. Make pizza, popcorn and watch movie or put on some relaxing music and get out the massage oils.

*Write love notes in soap or lipstick on all the mirrors in the house. To remove, wash off with crumpled newspaper and a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. (Better still, use some of the kid’s washable markers which makes clean up a breeze.)

*Frost some cookies with humorous messages (“for a good time call…”) and slip them into your significant other’s lunch.

*Surprise him (or her) with a warm bath, candles and a glass of wine. (Don’t forget to warm the towels and the robe.)

*Warm your partner’s car for a few minutes before they have to leave for work.

Further, keep a healthy supply of Hershey chocolate hugs and kisses on hand to let your loved ones know you’re thinking about them. These can be dropped into coat pockets, in lunch bags, in knapsacks, or on their pillows at night. For me, it’s my little way of keeping the spirit of Valentines Day throughout the year. That said the best way of all to show your love is never letting a day go by without saying I love you.