17 Comments
User's avatar
Chelsey Feder's avatar

We do heart shaped pizzas & this year I'm making cut out cookies for us to decorate. Usually we'd do a book gift, but the budget is super tight so we'll see!

Expand full comment
Sri Juneja's avatar

We’re going to have a party for Valentine’s Day and I’m thinking of doing heart shaped pizzas for the kids as well! I hadn’t thought of cookies but maybe that could be a fun activity for them as well. 🤔

Expand full comment
Chelsey Feder's avatar

My 3 yr old is obsessed with decorating cookies, especially if they're dinosaur shaped. Highly recommend.

Expand full comment
Sri Juneja's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Grace Riley's avatar

Days With Grey has a cute mini-notebook and rainbow pencil combo we have chosen for this year for my very enthusiastic 4 year old writer and little bro. As a former elementary school teacher, I’m typically a very firm believer in simple is better (ie the box of cards from the store that you tear apart), but she is “writing” writing writing and I am trying to capitalize on it!

Also, definitely checking out the Helga book—we are hooked on everything Trolls right now and this feels like a more palatable shift from Poppy and Branch and Guy Diamond 😅

Expand full comment
Sri Juneja's avatar

Haha perfect segue into a different troll book!

And what a lovely gift for an emerging writer. I still have a bunch of my writing from when I was a kid and it’s so cool to see how my writing (and craziness ha!) has grown with me. I’m so excited for you and all the new stories you’re about to read from your new (but favorite) author.

Expand full comment
Alexis Davis's avatar

Now I’m going to have trolls songs in my head!!! Not mad about it

Expand full comment
Alexis Davis's avatar

I leaned in to my kids’ favorites, paper Star Wars and mini bags of skittles. Like look, I get that sugar is … everywhere too much all the time, but also, they get to eat one tiny bag of skittles (x20) and then any evidence of my existence in their life is gone forever. Will I always choose this choice? TBD. For Xmas “stockings” the classroom had I did mini playdoh. STUUUUUFFFFFFFFF!! There’s so much of it.

Expand full comment
Sri Juneja's avatar

Boy do I hear you! I love food treats over stuff treats too! You still get the nice little boost without having to figure out where to put it and then hate having it around a week later.

Expand full comment
Alexis Davis's avatar

It’s the clutter!!!

Expand full comment
Kuleigh Baker's avatar

I don't love Valentine's Day BUT I usually get a simple chocolate gift for my kids. I'll be out of town this Valentine's Day so that duty might fall on Dad to make things special. My kids are just going to give out regular Valentine's cards this year. Previously we've done pop it toys!

Expand full comment
Sri Juneja's avatar

I’m also not a big Valentine’s Day person (too close to other personal celebrations), but what a sweet way to mark the day. I’m excited to hear how your husband interprets the celebration. It’ll be cool to see if he does things differently.

Expand full comment
Gaia Makes Books for Kids's avatar

Yes! My husbands birthday is the 12th and so V day just feels extra...

Expand full comment
Gaia Makes Books for Kids's avatar

Same-- I'm out of town too, but got some chocolate and rest is up to Dad.

Expand full comment
Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

You know how I feel about Valentine's Day favors, I usually land on pencils, but my husband took them to the store this year, so they are giving cards and stickers. Just keep it simple, that is my advice.

Expand full comment
Sri Juneja's avatar

Simplicity in all things! I love the idea of pencils. I remember as a kid how much I loved the promise of a new pencil.

Expand full comment
Gaia Makes Books for Kids's avatar

How did I miss Helgas Dowery?!

Expand full comment