Don't you ever wish you could freeze a delicious family moment in time? Tuck that newborn smile in your pocket and save it for a rainy day? Upon the occasion of Valentine's Day I have some ideas to treasure the family luv forever...and do it for free.
TAKE A PICTURE
Most of us have digital cameras - and since you aren't paying for film - you can shoot to your heart's desire for FREE. Get your photographer groove on and take some pictures! Take a bunch! Candid. Formal. Silly. Individual and en famille. Pictures are a great way to freeze time.
If your kids' are old enough (and steady enough) give them the camera and allow them to take pictures from their point of view.
Family photograph on Valentine's Day could be the start of a family tradition!
MAKE A HAND PRINT
This is what I'm doing this weekend... I'm plunging my 10 year old, 7 1/2 year old and 7 week old's hands in some paint to make some artwork (and souvenirs).
If you have a bountiful art closet like I do - you may already have paints and canvas from the dollar store. If you don't plain old paper and pencil will do fine.
Hand prints are free and so personal - you can't help but love them.
DRESS FOR LOVE
Get out those ring bearer suits and flower girl dresses that have only been worn once and wear them tonight!
At my house, we (and by "we" I mean "me") allow the kids to chose what grown-ups wear...they love choosing ties for Papa and fancy clothes for me. (Note: You can certainly steer your kids towards which fancy clothes to chose. I will be steering the kids towards a black peepboo breastfeeding top because I hate being "all out" at the table...sorry honey, even though it's Valentine's Day...dinner will be G rated).
Moving on...the kids get into their own little ball gowns, we set the table with the "good" table cloth, we put milk in wine glasses and then sit down to an everyday, easy, meal (probably spaghetti).
"Special" occasions are few and far between...make use of those fancy clothes before the kids grow out of them!
And finally, if you need last minute valentine's for your kids, partner or the class...Google "printable valentines" and you will get many a choice of free valentine's to print out on demand.
Spread the luv!
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