Valentines Day *Classroom Exchange* <3

Hi friends!! I hope everyone is having an excellent week so far and is ready to spend some time with the family this weekend. I know I am!

I was thinking this week about how Valentines day is right around the corner. How did that even happen? Wasn’t Christmas like… yesterday? Anyways! I am the type of person that likes to find ways to celebrate the big holidays but also all the days and all the moments. Something about making days special and making traditions really pulls at my heart strings. Now don’t get me wrong, I know when you think celebration or traditions you’re thinking oh no this is going to be big, elaborate, complicated or xyz adjective that came to your mind. Nope, not over here sis. I like to celebrate “everything” but I am simple and I am a creature of habit. Traditions don’t need to be something huge and time consuming, in fact it could be something you’re already doing— you just need to pay attention. Pizza nights on Fridays for example, that’s a break for mom from cooking and possibly arguing with your kids about what to eat, am I right? But its sacred, every Friday everybody knows they’re going to sit around the table and enjoy a slice and then play some board games or work on a puzzle or watch a movie, etc. It doesn’t matter what it is, what matters is that you do it on a consistent basis. It could be that every Monday you go to the library together or once a year you make your moms favorite key lime pie to kick off the summer or it could be sushi and wonton soup after every soccer game. You, your spouse, your kids and whoever else you include know what to expect and the best part is that you’re making memories! Am I making any sense? Sometimes I feel like Im just rambling— haha, sorry!

With that in mind, I thought I would share a couple of ideas with you all on a few ways to celebrate this Valentines day. First up is how to celebrate with your kids class at school with something that doesn’t involve candy! I rounded up a few of my favorites but feel free to use this list as a jumping point for your own creative ideas!

For the class—

1. Heart shaped sunglasses “You shine bright, valentine!"

https://www.amazon.com/Rimless-Sunglasses-Transparent-Frameless-Colorful/dp/B096TYKZM1/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2E488A58XKPJI&keywords=heart+shaped+sunglasses&qid=1643052221&sprefix=heart+shaped+sunglasses%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-4

2. Bath bombs “Youre the bomb!”

https://www.amazon.com/Valentines-Valentine-favors-Exchange-Greeting/dp/B08PHF4HCZ/ref=sr_1_7?crid=307245AK9DX3F&keywords=bath+bombs+valentines&qid=1643052778&sprefix=bath+bombs+valentines%2Caps%2C62&sr=8-7

3. Pokemon cards “I choose YOU!”

https://www.amazon.com/Pokemon-Booster-Packs-Cards-Celebrations/dp/B09K62VJZJ/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=pokemon+cards&qid=1643052363&sr=8-9

4. Loop straws “You’re ex-straw special!”

https://www.amazon.com/Valentines-Day-Party-Supplies-Straws/dp/B08P3HJCCC/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1X8AGWTL254A4&keywords=loop+straw+valentines&qid=1643052559&sprefix=loop+straw%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-9

5. Glow sticks “You’re positively glowing!”

https://www.amazon.com/Valentines-Sticks-Classroom-Exchange-Supplies/dp/B09HGWVL7S/ref=sr_1_7?crid=J2SIN4RVZXRZ&keywords=glow+sticks+valentines&qid=1643052604&sprefix=glow+sticks+valentines%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-7

6. Maze “You’re a-MAZE-ing”

https://www.amazon.com/Valentines-Puzzles-Plastic-Classroom-Supplies/dp/B08QFNMQWD/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=1ME74OFTUOKH4&keywords=maze+valentines&qid=1643052848&sprefix=maze+valentines%2Caps%2C59&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFOMzVSOVo5UlhWMEImZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzMTYwMjYxVlRCRzRYVFpNTDM3JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA3NzI1MDIxQjlBR0dTMFVVMjJNJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

7. Pop it bubble (Sensory toy) - “You make me so happy I could POP!”

https://www.amazon.com/Keychain-Anxiety-Silicone-Christmas-Decoration/dp/B09MVQK43L/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3ENZBR5IRVV3L&keywords=pop%2Bbubble%2Bvalentines&qid=1643052936&sprefix=pop%2Bbubble%2Bvalentines%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySlZLTk9QU0ZOUFhOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjQxOTc5TjhOTFM2TFVOUlNEJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0MzAwMTIzN1VIUzhKNFZLQjJBJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

8. Bugs - “Bee Mine or Can I BUG you to be my valentine?”

https://www.amazon.com/Valentines-Day-Cards-Kids-Valentine/dp/B09H2YSX9L/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1L7R7CNVDVRTR&keywords=bugs+valentines&qid=1643053003&sprefix=bugs+valentines%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzUlM2MTRDMzhEVFUwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTU0OTk4MVQ2NUhMWFlSVlYwTSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjMzODk1MVo3QlZJMVNOVFRBNCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

These are just a few ideas that I think are super cute and that I think moms & kids both will enjoy! Some come with cards included and others do not but I bet your could find free printables on Pinterest. You could even just type some cute puns up and then print it on card stock and tie or tape them with the corresponding toy. I promise that sounds like more work than it is and its a lot more fun & personal than getting those premade valentines at the store :) Let me know if you have any questions or if you want any tutorials to go along with these! I would be more than happy to share!

Thanks for reading, stay tuned for next weeks blog post for ideas on what to give your own kids! *Hint hint— also doesn’t involve candy or treats! :)

As always— Stay lovely & stay dapper!

Xoxo

Viv