Quirky Valentine’s Tradition

Sometimes romance isn't in a bouquet of red roses or a box of chocolate. I love this post about finding romance in the daily subtleties of his personalities and how to avoid falling into a trap of Valentine's Entitlement. Quirky Traditions

When I was dating my husband 16 years ago, he told me to get dressed up because we were going to a fancy restaurant for Valentine’s. I anticipated the evening all week and enlisted the help of my Tias to pick out the perfect outfit. When he arrived, the tias asked where he was taking me. He said with a tinge of excitement, “I was thinking we would head to the Harvest House for dinner”. They looked at each other in a panic. Rookie Mistake.

You see, we were living in Atlanta and he didn’t think to make reservations. That evening we were turned away from half a dozen places before reluctantly entering this hole-in-the-wall pizza dive…clearly over-dressed. It was dark, empty, and a bit seedy. My then boyfriend looked so defeated.

As it turns out, the thin-crust Margarita pizza was absolutely delicious, the pitcher of beer perfect, and we laughed our way through the evening.  It was a tradition in the making.

For the past 15 years, while the rest of town is scrambling for reservations, we find a pizza dive on Valentine’s. It feels like our romantic little secret. Our children love hearing the story behind our February 14th tradition.

So we embrace the quirky things about our relationship or family, even the missteps, because they often make the richest traditions.

Simple expectations

I adore Valentines because it comes after the intensity of Christmas and before the spiritual heaviness of Easter. It is fun, flirty, and fabulous. I start wearing red ballet flats beginning February 1st and add a splash of pink any opportunity I get.

My husband however believes Valentine’s is a Hallmark created holiday. He is not  “a consumer” by nature and believes this is a day where men are guilted into overpaying for flowers and cards. It’s shocking how different we are.

So I decided early on, I did not want to be a wife filled with a sense of Valentine’s Entitlement.   I deserve a card, flowers, a date night?  You know that mindset…what is he going to do for ME?  As women, we can create a unspoken standard of expectation. How fun is that for a guy? It’s not.

So I simply shifted my focus off of myself and onto delighting him.  It is so much more enjoyable and fulfilling. As it turns out, it makes him want to reciprocate, not because he has to, but because it feels good to be shown love.

 Sometimes, the love just looks different from what we see on commercials. Last week when my husband was pressure washing the driveway, he melted my heart with this. unexpected romantic gestures

So if you find yourself disappointed by the lack of romance coming your way this year, shift the focus off of yourself. Use the day as an opportunity to show the love, not just receive it. And if you are in a relationship, appreciate the unique gestures from his heart, whether it be pumping up your tires or sending you a text on the way home from work. A man who lavishes gifts does not love deeper than one who does not. Gratitude is always the easiest way to keep entitlement away.

Kids in the Classroom

Confession: Last year I signed my son’s name on all 15 Valentine’s cards for his classmates. But here’s the thing, I didn’t just sign his name in my regular handwriting. I did it in a ridiculous child-like scribble so it would appear that he had done this himself. Mrs. Geer never suspected a thing.

Valentines at school has become quite the festive event. This week as we chose cards to give their friends, my boys said it was “creepy” to say things to their friends like ‘Be Mine, I Dig you, We were meant to be’.  They have a funny point.

Here are the cards they decided upon which we snagged off of Pinterest.

Love is in the Air

You can download the printable at thecraftingchicks.com

What does the Fox say Valentine

You can download this printable at Tips from a Typical Mom Blog

RAINBOW Loom Valentines

Print these adorable Rainbow loom bracelets over at the Nest of Posies blog

You're a sweet Light in our life

For more Valentine’s ideas, check out our Valentine’s Pinterest board. 

Joyfully, Allison

Christmas ideas

Remember when I wrapped my son’s lunch for his Birthday? We just did it for Christmas and he LOVED it.

Wrap your child's lunch in Holiday paper for a fun surprise.

Need some last minute Stocking Stuffers? These socks are the cutest in town.

Socks are the cutest stocking stuffer

Wood Ornaments Tutorial

DIY Wood Plaque Ornaments20 Days of Kid-Made OrnamentsIn our home, we have been trying to focus on the meaning behind the season. In my efforts to stick with that theme, we created some ornaments that had reflected the gift of that first Christmas. Our kids had a lot of fun with this craft. It is definitely for an older child though as my youngest is 6 and oldest 12. This post will be added to a series from 50 bloggers called 20 Days of Kid-Made Ornaments. You can also check our the other adorable ideas from these other bloggers on the group Pinterest board.

SuppliesSupplies:

  • Mod Podge
  • Scrapbooking paper
  • sponge brush
  • wood rectangles
  • Vinyl or sticker letters
  • Stamps and ink

Trace wood rectangles onto patterned paper and cut out.

Add a layer of Mod Podge with sponge onto wood. Mod Podge

Then stick paper on top of wood and add another layer of mod podge on top. Allow to dry.drying

Several choices for adding words. Vinyl, Paint, or Stamp.

  • Vinylfromdiecutmachine- I cut out vinyl stickers from my silhouette machine with the words my kids chose for their ornaments. Then transferred them to contact paper.

    Transferring vinyl to contact paper

  • Stickers – You can print sayings off of your computer on sticker paper and cut them out
  • Paint words by hand
  • Hand stamp as seen below ( I was inspired by hand stamping from the Swenglish Home)hand stamping DSC_4177Use a staple gun to attach a ribbon to the back.DSC_4181DIY Wood Christmas Ornaments - the House of Hendrix

I found the imperfection of the kid’s hand stamping quite charming and I love how my daughter did words like JOY in red.DIY Wood Christmas Ornaments - the House of HendrixDIY Happy Birthday Jesus ornamentDIY Joy Wood plaque Christmas ornamentsPrince of Peace - DIY Wood Christmas Ornaments

DIY Wood Christmas Ornaments - the House of HendrixWant some more fun ideas? Check out our holiday boards on Pinterest.

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the 12 Pins of Christmas

the 12 Pins of ChristmasWhat better way to kick off the holiday season than with my favorite 12 Pins of Christmas! If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have seen me collecting these festive finds.

Here are my FAVORITE pins of the season. 

Powdered Doughnut Snowmen

Such a fresh take on decorating gingerbread men. Love this idea by Worth Pinning to transform a powdered doughnut into a snowman. Love!Powdered Doughnut Snowman by Worth Pinning

Marshmallow Winter Wonderland

Transform a table into a wintery delight by stringing marshmallows together to create a snowy dream. (via Mon Carnet by Wednesday Custom Design)Marshmallow Winter Wonderland (via Mon Carnet and team Wednesday Custom Design)

Charming Hand-Stamped Ornaments

Love how The Swenglish Home used leftover pieces of wood to create these adorable hand stamped sayings. We’re definitely trying this.Hand stamped Ornaments by The Swengish Home

The 12 Letters of Christmas

Ever wonder just what Santa and the Elves are up to? I do. Print these 12 letters and leave one out each morning to hear how it’s going on the North Pole. The stories are ADORABLE!! One day they run out of wrapping paper. Another day is the story of how the reindeer learned to fly. (by Soda Pop Avenue)12 Letters of Christmas Banner  by Soda Pop Ave

Ornament Key

Love this idea of turning a key from a previous home into an ornament. Sweet memories not forgotten. (from In my Own Style)From In My Style - turn an old key into an ornament to rekindle sweet memories each year.

Minute to Win it Holiday Party Games

Have a snowball toss by throwing marshmallows through a hanging wreath. Slide a gingerbread man from your forehead to your mouth. Or be the first to stack cups in the shape of a Christmas tree. Check out these and more minute to win it games over at Callie Grace.Callie Grace created some fabulous Minute to Win it games for a Holiday Party

Edible Snow Globe and Gingerbread cookie recipe

Can you imagine eating something so adorable?  What a lovely and unforgettable dessert. Check out the tutorial and recipe at Ya a la Venta.Edible Snow Globe by Ya A La Venta. What could be cuter?

Explaining Santa when the time Comes

Although the magical belief in Santa is still alive in all 3 of my children and husband, I love this letter of explanation to have on hand. (via cafe mom).A letter explaining if Santa is real bvia Cafe Mom

Holiday Bailey’s Drink

Freeze coffee in ice cube trays. For a festive and delicious Holiday drink, pour Bailey’s and Vanilla Vodka over the coffee cubes. Absolutely delicious.Holiday Drink - Freeze coffee cubes and add Baileys and Vanilla Vodka. Love these 12 ideas!!!

Christmas Tree Stump Ornament

Love the idea of saving a slice off your tree and turning it into an ornament. Great idea for newlyweds or a baby’s first Christmas. (idea off Pinterest by Prayers and Prozac)Use a slice off a tree as a future ornament. (via Pinterest. Sourced to Prayers and Prozac)

Santa’s official Live Reindeer Cam

Watch Santa feed his reindeer each day through a live video stream. Feedings are every day at 11:00, 6pm , and 9pmReindeer Cam - watch Santa feed the reindeer via this live reindeer camera

Magical Tulle Christmas Lights

When I saw this pin, I immediately knew I wanted to light up my daughter’s room with this great idea from Hayseed Homemakin‘. She simply tied tulle next to each twinkle light. Beautiful.Adorable idea by Hayseed and Homemakin' - Add a soft touch by simply tying strips of tulle to twinkle lights.

If you want more festive ideas, follow along with us on Pinterest. Have a blessed holiday season.

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