Where there is love, there is life.  – Mahatma Gandhi

February is just around the corner, which means we are SUPER close to one of my favorite holidays: Valentine’s Day!

There are lots of people out there who are not fans of Valentine’s Day, and go on and on about how commercialized it is, yadda-yadda-yadda, but I love it!  I try to show my love and affection for my husband and kids all year round, but Valentine’s Day I like to amp it up.

A long time ago, I decided that I wanted to celebrate 14 days of Love.  14 Days of Love began in my house 7 years ago. I was pregnant with Hudson and wanted to do something extra special for my sweet husband to show him how much I love and appreciate him. I went to Hobby Lobby and purchased a craft mailbox kit. I put it together and decorated it and kept it hidden until February 1. In the meantime, I purchased a card and small gift (candy, gift card, small gift) for each day. I was really on the ball back then and the card theme/décor corresponded with the gift. (i.e. a frog on the card = frog shaped chocolate, etc.)

 

I know. I was good.

 

When Hudson turned 2, I got him his own mailbox.  He and Jared love waking up in the morning to find their goodies!  Since life and kids can easily get in the way, not to mention a stretched bank account, I have found ways to still make our tradition special, and not break the bank!  Pinterest is FULL of ideas.  One website, Dating Divas, has some fun and easy ideas and printables for everything you can possibly imagine.

Here’s the scoop:  You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money.  It’s the thought that counts.  Cliche?  Maybe – but it’s really true!  Pick up a few items in the $1 aisle at Target or Dollar General.  A snack bag of chips, or a small candy bar.  Coupons for date nights, massages, let-him-choose-the-movie, etc.  Coupons for your kiddo letting them choose what you do for the whole day!  Date night with your son or daughter.  The list goes on and on!  Be silly, too!  One of my husband’s favorite “treats” was a couple of oatmeal cookies that I put in a ziploc baggie.  We only had baggies with a goldfish printed on them so I grabbed a Sharpie and wrote “Hope your day goes swimmingly!”  When he opened it up, he got the biggest kick out of it!  It was unexpected and didn’t cost me anything.

I encourage all of you to embrace the 14 Days of Love. If 14 Days is overwhelming – start with 7.  Either way, it’s a sweet gesture, that doesn’t have to cost a lot and means so much to the recipient. (And I promise will mean a lot to you, too!) If you decide to do this – let me know!

 

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