I love the idea of being a mom with an infinite amount of creative traditions to unveil for my children. That is my idea. The reality? Yea. Not so much. I tend to be overwhelmed reading all of the traditions families implement. I get paralyzed and then do nothing.
A few years ago, I decided to focus on only a few times of year to implement simple, yet special traditions. It was freeing to know that I did not need to celebrate every holiday with endless creativity. Valentine’s Day is one of the focused times I selected. Personally, I believe Valentine’s Day is a sneaky marketing ploy for American’s to spend their money on yet one more thing. However, we need not fall prey to the hoopla. Instead, it can be simply and frugally celebrated.
The tradition I chose to implement with my children is the Valentine’s mailbox.
Three to five days before Valentine’s Day I begin hiding something special in their mailbox each day (each child has their own mailbox). This is a very simple gift or snack. On school days, I often include their after school snack.
I set a $10 budget. Since, I am dividing $10 among 4 children, gifts must be inexpensive. I focus on selecting gifts in packs. A pack of pencils, pens or erasers can easily be divided among 4 kids for $1. I recommend visiting the dollar store, Target Dollar zone or the Christmas Tree shop for inexpensive Valentine’s gifts. I have also shopped the Salvation Army for books and simple gifts to include in their boxes. Yes. That tip is for the hardcore frugalista.
A favorite item to hide in the mailbox is a piece of paper listing a family activity for that day. You can surprise them with a trip for ice cream or a movie night. Keep it simple by treating them to $1 Sundae’s at McDonald’s.
Another special item to include in your Valentine mailbox is a heart shaped cookie cutter. The cookie cutter symbolizes that they will make cookies with you that evening. Allow them to decorate the cookies with fun sprinkles and frosting.
I typically save the most “special” gift for Valentine’s Day. A heart shaped box of chocolates or a small stuffed animal.
The kids squeal with delight the first time the mailboxes appear. It is amazing how excited they become with a pencil. It is exciting because it is special. It is special because it is tradition.
Do you have a special Valentine’s Day tradition? and please. Don’t panic if you don’t.
Linking to Frugal Friday and Women Living Well"
Thank you for telling us not to panic if we don't! I just love you for that! Because, like you, I see all of these traditions and I want to do them all and I find a way to make them EXTREMELY important and if I don't do SOMETHING my kids will slip from my fingers... blah blah blah.
ReplyDeleteBut this? I love this! I want to do this! Now I have to figure out how to get the exact mail boxes because they're WAY cute. And the kids would LOVE this.
p.s. The homemade laundry detergent photo on this page always looks like cheese upon first glance. Now I know why I crave sharp cheddar every time I'm on your blog :)
p.p.s. Thank you for the Aldi deals!!! That's where we do half of our shopping. Walmart and Aldi. Thanks for being so diligent about these things!
Leslie you always make me smile! These are not my mail boxes...it looks like she wrapped plain ones with scrapbook paper. You can get them at Target dollar section...I just saw them last week.
DeleteI feel anything but diligent these days, but thanks!