For many Western New Yorkers, Valentine’s Day has transformed from a romantic candlelit dinner à deux to a more boisterous family affair. When you become parents, you have to take your romantic Valentine’s Days when they happen — and it’s not necessarily February 14.
But Valentine’s Day is a great time to celebrate love for everyone in the family. Whether you’re home with your kids or venturing out among the lovebirds, you can make it special. Here are some ideas:
1. Get moving
Grab or rent your skis (cross-country or downhill) and venture out to one of our many parks or ski hills for a day of outdoor fun. Pack a special picnic and find an indoor spot to enjoy it – or tailgate with some hot chocolate to keep you warm. Enjoy some alone time with your honeys on the chairlift or while gliding through the silent woods. Go to Trails.com to pinpoint some local cross country ski trails, such as Emery Park and Byrncliff Resort; local downhill ski resorts include Kissing Bridge and Holiday Valley.
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2. Preview spring
It’s hard not to be impressed with the spectacular blooms at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens (2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo). Valentine’s Day isn’t just about roses – amaryllis and orchids are on special display through Feb. 28. Plus, Lumagination – an interactive exhibit that transforms the Gardens with light and sound – runs through Feb. 20. Shows run from 6 p.m.to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
3. Venture out for a kid-friendly dinner
This is not the night to have the whole family enjoy fine dining while engagements are happening all around you. Take a break from the kitchen at a kid-friendly spot instead, like Melting Pot at the Walden Galleria (who doesn’t love dipping for dinner and dessert?), Chef’s in Buffalo (always a family favorite) or Pi Craft Pizza in Tonawanda (kids will love designing personal pizzas).
4. Valentine’s Day = chocolate
Buffalo has many special local chocolate makers. Going to one of their shops is an event unto itself. Treat the family to treats from your favorite spot or try something new. Favorites include Watson’s (multiple locations), Fowlers (multiple locations), Alethea’s Chocolates (8301 Main St. Williamsville), Parkside Candy (multiple locations) and Antoinette’s Sweets (5981 Transit Road, Depew).
5. Make Valentines
Most kids love making cards – this is a great opportunity to encourage them to make valentines for grandparents, older relatives or out-of-town family to put in the mail. You can make your own with construction paper, glitter, markers and more – or find free printable cards online. Younger kids will get a kick out of personalizing, printing out and coloring their own from websites like Crayola.com or Dltk-holiday.com. These sites have other fun printable activities for the holiday, as well, like mazes, word searches and coloring pages.
6. Coupon books
Help your kids cut out hearts from construction paper and staple into a coupon “book.” Make them for Mom, Dad and siblings too — they can range from “Good for one room tidying, upon request — no complaints,” to “Good for one 10-minute uninterrupted turn with my video game,” to “Good for one hug.”
7. Bake some treats
Whip up a batch of heart-shaped cookies — use your favorite Christmas cut-out recipe, or refrigerated dough from the supermarket is just fine too – it’s all about the decorating! Top with some pink frosting and sprinkles for a fun and delicious activity. Valentine cupcakes are always a hit, too — bake your favorite store bought cake mix, frost and stick on one or more conversation hearts for an added V-day touch.
8. Family dinner
Even though it’s not a romantic dinner with your Valentine, that doesn’t mean you can’t make the table look extra special. Dim the lights and pull out the candlesticks, nice china and cloth napkins. Decorate the table with sprinkled confetti and foil-wrapped chocolate kisses. Have fun with an easy dinner featuring the color of the day — red. Serve red soup (ie, tomato), a red entrée (pasta with sauce is a crowd pleaser), and chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert. Another fun idea is to have a make-your-own-pizza-night with heart-shaped pizzas. Buy your favorite dough from the grocery store or local pizzeria and get creative.
9. Pull out the old photos
Most kids love looking at old photos; pull out your photo albums or fire up the slide show on the computer and take a few minutes to appreciate your family through the years. Your kids will enjoy checking out wedding photos or baby photos of themselves — or you!
10. Movie night
Close out the evening with a family movie where love conquers all — some good ones are Lady and the Tramp, Sound of Music, The Princess Bride, Shrek, Cheaper by the Dozen and The Parent Trap (new or old). If your kids are at the Disney princess stage, love and romance are front and center in most flicks. Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Cinderella are timeless. And if you have older kids, share one of the all-time romantic favorites from your youth — Say Anything or Pretty in Pink.
Happy Valentine’s Day!