We’re halfway through Valentine’s Day and if you haven’t already presented your sweetie with a gift from the heart don’t fret. You still have time to impress him or her and keep yourself out of the dog house. Check out these easy and affordable ideas for making tonight a special one for your true love: Decorations: Grab a few wire hangers from the closet and bend them into heart shapes. Cover the wire with red or pink ribbon and glue the ends together. If you have time and money, you could embellish the heart with silk flowers. Otherwise, just place … Continue reading →

According to the National Retail Federation, the average American will spend approximately $125 on Valentine’s Day gifts this year. What the… A hundred twenty five bucks on high-calorie chocolate that will force you to spend even more time in the gym and overpriced flowers that probably won’t live to see the weekend? I barely have enough money to fill up my car now that gas prices have jumped 20 cents in less than 10 days. Believe me; no one in my house is spending or receiving Love Day gifts that exceed $5… if that. Just call me the Valentine’s Day … Continue reading →

I heart Valentine’s Day. I would heart it even more if I knew it was going to yield a diamond tennis bracelet. Actually, I’d prefer a Dyson instead of diamonds, but I digress. The truth is you don’t have to spend a bundle to show your sweetheart how much you love him or her. In fact, in our house, Valentine’s Day is strictly for the kids. Each year my daughter and a few of her friends celebrate the holiday with a little party in our living room. And by little I mean less than five munchkins cranked up on chocolate … Continue reading →

Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year, you will likely be spending the majority of the holiday at work with colleagues you may or may not have a lot of love for. Not exactly F-U-N. While your office may not be the best place to be decking the halls with shiny foil red hearts or candy-tipped arrows being shot by underdressed, chubby babies with wings, it also doesn’t have to be a bastion of death. With a little creativity, some sensibility (and permission from your boss) you can host a whimsical Valentine’s Day party at work that includes … Continue reading →

Cue cupid; Valentine’s Day is just a week away. Love is in the air, but if you are planning to celebrate the holiday with kids, you are better off skipping the slow dances and romantic gestures, and instead, emphasize the fun factor. Get kids involved in all aspects of the party planning. Older kids can help blow up festive red, pink and white balloons, while you hang streamers and other cute Valentine decorations, such as kitten and teddy bear-shaped window clings. Preschoolers can also get in on the fun by assisting you in the kitchen. Create a healthy Valentine’s Day … Continue reading →

Punxsutawney Phil is back in his hole, the NFL crowns its champ tonight, and 15-day celebration to usher in the Year of the Dragon wraps up at midnight. That can only mean one thing: Let the Love Day games begin. Valentine’s Day is just about a week away, and even though Wal-Mart and Target have been selling Love Day merchandise since December 27th, now is the time to really solidify plans for the heart-shaped holiday. If you are planning a Valentine’s Day party you’ll want to get your shopping list set. Think: pink, red and silver confetti to sprinkle on … Continue reading →

Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day tonight? If you have young children, then you may have opted out of partying ‘til the break of dawn this year because… it’s a Monday. Celebrating anything on the first day of the work week is about as anti-climatic as it gets. Then, there’s the whole babysitting factor. Securing a sitter on Valentine’s Day can be tricky. If you have a teenage sitter, there’s a good chance her parents won’t allow her to work on a school night. Meanwhile, older sitters often have sweethearts of their own and don’t want to spend the night wrangling … Continue reading →

My 6-year-old’s dream Valentine’s Day consists of eating her way through a vat of Chocolate Covered Heart Marshmallow Peeps. “It’s a tasty treat for someone sweet,” she reminds me as she stares intently at the 24-count box sitting near the check-out line in Target. I considered giving into her pleas, but I know that I can make tasty Love Day treats at home for half the price and double the rich, dark chocolatey flavor. Here’s hoping the following recipes will do the Chocolate Heart Peeps one better: CHOCOLATE DESSERT CUPS Ingredients: 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped 1 teaspoon shortening Directions: … Continue reading →