valentine’s day mailboxes & gift ideas

This weekend I set up the Valentine’s day mailboxes that were such a hit with the girls last year. You can read more about how I made them here.

On Thursday, little presents will start appearing sometime during the day. It might be waiting when they girls wake up, it might appear randomly while they’re playing, there’s no set time, but they know they have a surprise waiting when they little arms on the mailboxes are up.

The seven days leading up to Valentine’s day, they get one little treat a day. This year I’m adding a little note from one of us or a Bible verse to the present. To save a fight or two, everyone is getting the same item this year.

I picked up most of the presents at Target’s Dollar Spot or at Wal-mart. Every day is something different. When I set the mailboxes up, Elliott (my almost four year old) said “Yay! I get a new toothbrush!” Which is so typical for her. And now I feel like I should go out and buy toothbrushes. It would make sense after all the candy they’re getting. Good call, kid.

The plates are for the big day, where they’ll also get a new book (and a toothbrush, I guess) plus a package of break-and-bake Valentine’s cookies to make with their daddy. Maybe I’ll come up with a special craft for them to do, but don’t hold you breath on that one…

So that’s how Valentine’s day will go in our house. For about $30, my kids have eight days of surprises plus a fun-filled V-day with their daddy. I, on the other hand, will spend the day with the eighth grade girls’ basketball team trying to win a game. Huzzah.

Do you have any fun Valentine’s traditions? This is only our second year for the mailboxes, but it’s fun coming up with new and different things that fit in them. And I’m hoping the notes and scriptures stick around–those, I think, will be my favorite part.

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Come back later today for a special Valentine’s day book giveaway–I’ve got some books that would be perfect for your little loves on the 14th!