My love for holidays runs DEEP. This Valentine’s Day will certainly be different for me, as I expect to be somewhere in the middle of a C-section recovery, a NICU stay, and newborn life. BUT, that’s not going to stop me from celebrating and making it special for the big kids even in the smallest way.

Usually in the month leading up to Valentine’s Day, I would be scouring the aisles of Target for fun finds, searching for crafts to do with the kids, and planning our annual VDay brunch. Since none of that can exactly happen from my hospital bed, I figured I would share the inspiration I’ve found with all of you and the fun finds I’ve already ordered for the kids to do at home without me.

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Valentine’s Haul

Things I’ve purchased for our home and easy Valentine’s activities I’ve snagged for the kids to do at home without me. These little $5 activities go a long way for my kids to feel special and get them in the spirit for any holiday. I usually display them during the holiday and then toss them (unless I really love them) when it’s over. They are also great boredom busters to have on hand.

Favorite Valentine’s Books

Small Shop Valentine’s Apparel

Images from Penny Jo and Co

• Penny Jo and Co – After much debating (for no good reason), I went with these shirts this year!
• Shop Kind Kids Club – She took the design we purchased last year, revamped it and I love it so much! These are such versatile shirts, we were able to wear ours all year.
• Shop Wild Blooms – Several cute designs!
• June and Grey – Love you more, love you most design is adorable! Also, I can never pass up the holiday dinos.
• Charlotte and Ezra – We purchased Valentine’s shirts from this shop two years ago and I really love the quality.

Left shirts are Shop Kind Kids Club last year, Right shirts are Charlotte and Ezra two years ago

Target Valentine’s Apparel

Super Easy Valentine’s Ideas

To fuel my creative side and also feel like I’m keeping up with the fun things I’m used to doing for my kids, I’ve found a few extremely easy Valentine’s ideas I’ve even been able to do from the hospital. You could so easily do these in five minutes or less as a surprise for your kids or along with them!

Conversation heart bears! I used this idea from @themamanotes. All you need is icing, conversation heart candies, and teddy grahams (the regular size, not the minis like I accidentally bought – thank you online ordering). I opted to put the finished bears into this Target heart box for a cute surprise when the kids came to visit me. They were gone in about 2 minutes thanks to Cole!

How cute is this DIY gumball machine from Soap Deli News!? I’ve been (secretly) bummed that I can’t go out and scour the Target dollar section for the infamous gumball machine going around and I think this is such an easy and cheap DIY alternative! Definitely next up on my list – how much will the kid’s love these!? Check out the instructions here.

Valentine’s Brunch Inspo

Our main Valentine’s celebration each year is usually a Valentine’s brunch filled with hearts and treats. Planning the brunch itself honestly takes minimal effort. I just gather some cheap Valentine’s themed party goods, donuts, easy decorations, and the kids love it so much! I may still try to pull this together, but in the mean time, here are some inspo items I’ve found this year and a photo of last year’s brunch! The great thing about many of these party goods is that they will be reusable for next year.

Happy Valentine’s Day from my love bugs!