Easy, Steal-Worthy Ways to Make Valentine’s Day Feel Special
TBH, Valentine’s Day as an adult was never my favorite — overpriced dinners, crowded restaurants, and a whole lot of pressure. No thanks. But then I had a kid, and everything changed. Like most holidays, when seen through the eyes of your child, Valentine’s Day becomes pure magic. Class parties, candy, and reminders of how loved you are… what’s not to like?!
I’ve definitely had years where I went way over the top (shocker)… and other years where life was life-ing and I did the bare minimum. Turns out, my son didn’t really care either way. Notes, little surprises, and being showered with love? That’s the stuff core memories are made of.
So if you’re looking for ways to make Valentine’s Day feel special — without elaborate planning or Pinterest-level crafting — you’re in the right place! Here are three easy, steal-worthy ways to add a little Valentine’s magic to your day. Simple, fun, and totally doable.
Steal This Idea #1: Love Notes That Stick
Imagine waking up to see a collage of compliments and warm fuzzies written just for you. Great way to start the day, right?
Grab some heart-shaped sticky notes and write short messages for your kids. Stick them on the bathroom mirror, bedroom door, or anywhere they’ll spot them as they’re getting ready for the day.
If you’re staring at a blank sticky note thinking why is this suddenly so hard, here’s an easy way to approach it: mix and match from a few simple categories below!
Who You Are:
* You are kind
* You are brave
* You are original
* You are a good friend
What We Love About You:
* We love your sense of adventure
* We love your curiosity
* We are so lucky to be your parents
* We love spending time with you
Fun + Playful:
* You’re the best hugger
* You are SO fun
* You crack us up
* You’re a great dancer
Quiet Confidence Boosters:
* We believe in you
* You can do hard things
* You are loved exactly as you are
Tip: Mix in notes that have nothing to do with behavior or achievements. The “just because you’re you” ones are usually the favorites.
Examples:
* You have a big heart.
* Our family is better because of you.
* Your laugh is my favorite sound.
* You make ordinary days more fun.
Steal This Idea #2: A Fancy-But-Easy Family Dinner
This is one of my favorite ways to make Valentine’s Day feel special — so easy and kids LOVE it!!
Here’s what makes it feel extra festive:
* Real candles (battery ones totally count if flames are a no-go in your house!)
* Flowers in a vase — grocery store blooms are simple and fast
* Music playing in the background (Spotify has some great vintage Valentine’s jazz mixes)
* Using the “fancy” dishes
* A special dessert (heart-shaped cookies or chocolate fondue are always a hit!)
If cooking feels fun, go for it! If not, heart-shaped pizza or everyone’s favorite take-out tastes magical when you’re sitting down together. It doesn’t have to be gourmet — it’s all about the atmosphere.
Tip: To really lean into the fancy dinner vibes, print a simple menu card and give your dishes silly names. Seeing their favorite foods on a menu makes kids feel like they’re at an upscale restaurant — even if it’s just mac and cheese.
Here’s an easy template you can use — all you need is a free Canva account!!
Steal This Idea #3: Family Dinner Date Q&A
At the start of the new year, I bought the family version of Table Topics on a whim — mostly to help with dinner conversation skills — and I honestly had no idea how much my son would love it.
Like… asking to play and blowing through questions love it!
Inspired by that, I came up with a few Valentine’s Day–themed questions you can use at dinner to keep things fun, light, and surprisingly engaging for the whole family.
Here are a few to try:
* What’s one thing someone at this table does that makes you feel loved?
* What’s your favorite way to spend time together as a family?
* What’s something kind someone did for you recently?
* What’s one thing you love about yourself?
* If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?
* If you could plan the perfect family day, what would we do?
* What’s your favorite thing about Valentine’s Day?
* If you could spend Valentine’s Day anywhere, where would it be?
Younger kids can answer in one sentence. Older kids might surprise you with their answers. And they may even stick around long enough to hear yours too… which feels like a win!
The Takeaway: And They All Lived Happily Ever After…
At the end of the day, making Valentine’s Day magical doesn’t require elaborate plans or a single Pinterest craft (unless that’s your thing… and then you do you!).
Kids won’t remember the things — they’ll remember the moments that turn into traditions, and the memories they carry with them long after the candy is gone. AKA… the real happy hours.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
