Valentine's Day Prize Punch

Three years ago, I came up with the idea of using dollar store supplies to create a "prize punch" for my son's birthday party. Since then, prize punches have become staples at all my boys' parties... but I have never made one for Valentine's day... until now. Check out my Valentine's Day prize punch below (including all the instructions you need to make one of your own).

I started out by drawing a large heart on a piece of pink foam core that I found at the dollar store. Then, I positioned red solo cups in the heart and filled them with treats and trinkets.

Then, one at a time, I removed the cups from the heart. I applied hot glue just below the top rim of the glass and applied a piece of tissue paper to the top. (You can add a second piece of tissue paper for a little added strength.) Then, I applied a ring of hot glue to the bottom of the cup and stuck it to the foam core.

When all the glasses have been attached, the Valentine's Day prize punch is finished!

I always make these prize punches for parties, but I made this one just for my boys. I think they are going to love poking through the tissue paper and claiming their prizes on Valentine's Day.

It really is a simple project, and it's always a big hit at parties. If you make one, let me know how it goes!

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You Make my Heart Pop... Valentine's Day date night with Netflix

Are you like me? Is Valentine's Day just another busy night with the kids... filled with homework and after-school activities? Don't give up hope... after the kids go to bed, there is still a chance to squeeze in a little quiet time with your Valentine. Why not invite your spouse to cuddle up on the couch with a special treat and a little Netflix*? Check out the FREE printable "You make my heart pop!" Valentine I designed. 

Cute, right? You can simply attach the Valentine to a package of microwave popcorn, or you can put together a movie night gift basket.

To download and print the Valentine I designed: Click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

I love the idea of adding a few special treats, popping them into a dollar store popcorn container, and adding the tag.

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to watch a romantic movie together... or may you prefer to re-enact your first time... i.e. your first "Netflix Binge" together. (Note: If you can't remember your first time, you can find it by logging into your Netflix account. Go to your Netflix Account page, select "viewing activity", and scroll all the way to the bottom.)

The first thing my husband and I binge watched together was "Making a Murderer" (a documentary about a man who was wrongfully convicted, released from prison, and then convicted of the murder of a young photographer). It's not super-romantic, but we both enjoyed it... and it's about the time spent together, right? 😉

So, what will you be watching on Netflix with your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? I hope you print off the Valentine I designed and share it with someone you love!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

*Disclosure: I receive special gifts and perks as part of my affiliation with Netflix.... however (as always) the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.

15+ PUNNY Valentine Ideas... with free printable tags

I have always loved creating unique Valentine's for my boys to share with their friends and classmates. Over the years, I have come up with a lot of fun ideas that my boys and their buddies have loved. Usually, I pair "trinkets" with clever and "punny" tags. Today, I am sharing 15 of my favourite PUNNY Valentine ideas... and the sweet tags I designed.

Below, you will find links to all my favourite PUNNY valentines and the FREE printable tags I designed. Click on the links to access the free tutorials and tags.

1) I hope you have a 'DINO'mite Valentine's Day!

2) Have a SUPER Valentine's Day!

3) You're #1 in my BOOK!

4) You're friendship BLOWS me away!

5) I am BEARY happy to have a friend like you!

6) It's PLANE to see you're a great friend!

7) The FORCE of our friendship is strong!

8) You are one in a MINION!

9) COLOR your HEART out!

10) You've got the WRITE stuff!

11) I am CRAZY about you!

12) Have a WANDerful Valentine's Day!

13) You BLOW me away!

14) I hope you have a BALL on Valentine's Day!

15) I think you're {SPEC}tacular!

Bonus: Check out this "Wheelie" cute and clever class Valentine and free printable tags.

And how adorable is this bubble gum Valentine?

And who wouldn't love this simple sock Valentine?

Homemade Valentines are definitely more heartfelt and fun. This collection includes tons of free printable Valentines and tags... and there are many fantastic "non-candy" ideas that are perfect for class parties. I love the Superhero masks and recycled crayons, but they are all wonderful! Do you have a favourite?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more wonderful Valentine's Day ideas here.

"You've Got the WRITE Stuff" Valentines

Candy-free Valentine's treats are perfect for sharing with classmates. My kids have a strict nutrition policy at their schools, and allergies are always a concern, so I tend to stick to non-edible treats. Today, I am sharing the simple Valentine "treat" my 10 year old is sharing with his friends this year. I'm also sharing the adorable tags that you can download for free.

I purchased inexpensive Valentine's Day pencils and little "game" notebooks at our dollar store. I placed the items in bags covered with hearts, and I added a "You've Got the WRITE Stuff" tag.

To download the tags I designed: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

My 10 year old loves his Valentine's Day treats, and he can't wait to share them with his friends.

Do your kids give out Valentine's Day treats or cards to their friends? What are they sharing this year? I love this simple idea, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Funny Valentine... "Thanks for putting up with my CRAP!"

Maybe I have lived in a house with four boys too long, but I think this is a silly and funny idea for Valentine's Day. It's kind of the "anti-Valentine". Isn't this a clever, non-mushy, not-too-sentimental idea for Valentine's Day? I love this roll of toilet paper packaged up with ribbon and a note that says, "Thanks for putting up with my crap. Happy Valentine's Day!"

Funny, right? This would be fun for a friend, a parent, or a spouse.

To print the note I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Then, stick the note and a roll of toilet paper in a clear cellophane bag... and tie it with a ribbon.

Do you know someone that would appreciate receiving this funny Valentine? Who would you give this silly gift to?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

A {SPEC}TACULAR Valentine's Day Treat

I like to give my boys Valentine's Day treats, but I don't want them to have too much sugar. So, this year, I decided to make them a special little Valentine using cute and inexpensive heart-shaped glasses that I found at the dollar store. I'm also sharing the free printable tags I designed, so you can share this treat with your kids too!

I found these glasses for $1.25 a pair at the dollar store.

Then, I put the glasses in a clear plastic bag with the cute tag I designed that says, "I think you are {SPEC}tacular!" Cute, right?

To download the tag I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

I have a pair for each of my boys, and I'll get them a little chocolate too.

These heart-shaped glasses would make cute class Valentines too. Who would you share this cute Valentine with?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine's Day Cookies

My family loves the combination of chocolate and peanut, so on Valentine's Day, these chocolate peanut butter cookies are a big hit. The delicious peanut butter cookies pair perfectly with the peanut butter filled chocolate hearts. They are easy to make too!

The kids will love helping you bake these cookies too!

To make these cookies, you can start with your favourite peanut butter cookie recipe. Here is the one I use (because it is simple, delicious, and only dirties one bowl):

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

2) In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to combine butter, peanut butter, and sugars.
3) Add baking soda and baking powder, and beat until combined.
4) Add egg and vanilla, and beat again.
5) Stir in flour.

6) Scoop dough onto a cookie sheet.
7) Bake at 375 degrees for 8-12 minutes.
8) Push peanut butter filled chocolate hearts into cookies while they are still soft (i.e. before they are completely cooled).
9) Transfer to wire rack to cool.

Check out this video to see exactly how we did it. I did the scooping, and my 8 year old placed all the chocolate hearts.

Are you a fan of chocolate and peanut butter? Who will you make these delicious Valentine's Day cookies for? I'll definitely be baking a batch for my boys on February 14th!

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)