Show of hands — who gives gifts to their children for smaller holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Halloween, etc.?
So many holidays have become so commercialized these days that it’s hard to avoid gifting when everyone around you is jumping at the chance to grab that themed gift or treat for their loved ones.
But how can you still give gifts to your family without drifting too far away from giving intentionally?
Well… what if you gave the gift of time instead?
Now, I’m not saying that’s ALL you’ll be giving, but what if that was at the core of your gift?
I’ll make this quick because I know Valentine’s Day is coming up this week and you need to get to shopping, but there are a few ways you can give the gift of time this year!
GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME WITH THESE LAST MINUTE VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT IDEAS
BAKE TOGETHER
This is one I love to do! Find some heart cookie cutters, some cute Valentine’s themed aprons, and grab some ingredients to get in the kitchen and create something together!
My daughter’s love language is being in the kitchen with me, so this is a go-to of mine.
We’re able to spend time together, goofing off, getting creative, and enjoying every minute of the ‘special treat’ we bake together.
Here are some cute aprons I’m loving from Amazon.
Along with some cookie cutters that are inexpensive and so cute!
GET OUTDOORS TOGETHER
This could be so many things. Do you love to ride bikes together? Color with sidewalk chalk? Blow bubbles? Play tag?
Come up with some simple gift that allows you that time together outside.
My girls love chalk, so an assortment of pink and red chalk along with some cute flip flops or sandals for summer is the perfect simple gift that will get them excited to spend time together outdoors.
How cute is this chalk? Such a simple yet playful gift!
And can we talk about these sandals for a second?
Love hiking? Even though it’s the winter, grab some cute new coats, hats, gloves, or shoes for your family and mark a date on the calendar to head out on a family hike!
And these boots come in all kinds of fun patterns for girls and boys!
Consider packing a picnic and making a day out of it (if it’s not too cold where you are right now!).
WAFFLES, ANYONE?
This is what I’m going this year! I found the cutest waffle plates and themed gift ideas from Target this year that I couldn’t pass it up!
Grab some of these cute waffle makers for less than $10. I have two and we use them all the time!
Some waffle plates for less than $2… how cute are they?
And make waffles for dinner together this Valentine’s Day! My girls think it’s so special when we have waffles for dinner, so I know that time together will be a special treat for all involved.
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
I love this one too! If it’s a little chilly where you are still, give the gift of a family movie night.
Grab some cute heart pajamas for your family, some slippers, and a fun DVD your entire family loves.
Then snuggle up together as a family this Valentine’s Day and enjoy your movie night!
Here are some of the pajamas I’m loving for my girls right now…
And could these slippers be any cuter?
VENTURE OUT
Love venturing out of the house as a family?
If you have a museum (such as a children’s museum) nearby, grab some tickets and set a date on the calendar!
Other ideas include heading to the zoo together, seeing a play in your nearest city, planning a weekend getaway, or just spending the day together in your favorite spot in the city.
This one doesn’t have to be hard. What do you love to do in your city as a family? Plan a day and do that!
HEAR ME OUT
If gifting is your thing, by all means go all out! In our household, I try to avoid cluttering up spaces with toys or items I know won’t get the love they deserve.
And yes, you could absolutely get in the kitchen and bake or go on a mini-adventure together without the extras, but by gifting alongside it, you’re almost giving yourself an excuse to do so.
We can have the best intentions at heart to spend all the time we can with our loved ones, but when those unexpected things come up in our day to day, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters.
By focusing gifts around the concept of spending time together, you’re able to pull back to what matters most and why you’re giving the gift instead of simply grabbing something with little meaning off the shelf.
For more intentional gift ideas, check out my idea list on Amazon!
Let me know what you plan to give this Valentine’s Day!
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