Valentines Day 2019

We had a lovely Valentines Day, starting last night as we finished up Valentines boxes for Liam and Finn. Both boys told me their vision for their boxes and then we hit up Pinterest (of course) for some ideas. I think Optimus Prime and a firetruck from Mini Force (new show on Netflix they've seen once?) turned out pretty darn cute. Nothing beats those smiles and excitement when their ideas come to life. Nothing. #purejoy

To be honest, I still have my wreath and garland from Christmas hanging over my door #noshame...so, I decided it might be fun to surprise my family with a festive table for family dinner. I thought I'd share what I created using what I already had at home and what I found at my favorite place- the dollar store! 

I mentioned this before here, but I firmly believe you can create a magical, festive celebration with a couple staples you already have at home and a few on-theme items you purchase elsewhere. 

For my Valentine table, I got out my trusty white table cloth and set place settings with pink heart wall decor and paper plates I found at the Dollar Tree. To add a little personalization, I wrapped some red plastic utensils in pink napkins (from the Dollar Store), tied them with bakers twine and attached tags (all of which I had lying around), and wrote each family member's name. 

Next, I got my favorite pitcher vase and filled it with fresh flowers. I found some red glitter stick hearts from the Dollar Tree and placed them in the flower arrangement to add some festivity. 

I used these chocolate candy hearts from the dollar store as confetti and spread them all over. As a small gift for the children, I found some little stuffed bears, candy, and cinnamon gum and placed them in these cute little metal tins. And all of these I found at- you guessed it, the Dollar Tree! ;) P.S. They were just as estatic about these $4 gifts as they were about the Nintendo Switch they got for Christmas. You think I'm exaggerating. I'm not. #perspective I also found these LEGIT cards at the dollar store. Like, the ones that usually cost $5-6 at Target or Hallmark! So cute and one buck. #winning

To finish it off, I added some balloons (my favorite way to add theme to a celebration) and a little Valentines banner I made years ago and found in a sad, dark corner of our basement. 

Okay, the balloons I got from Zurchers and the fresh flowers from Costco. But, guys, you don't have to pay a fortune or spend crazy amounts of time to create festivity. Use what you have. Spend what money you have where it will go the farthest or make the biggest impact. Most importantly, make memories. My family would've been happy without a decorated dinner table. We would've expressed our love just as fervently and danced just as hard at our post-dinner dance party in the living room. Memories don't require "fluff".

Having said that, it was quite fufilling to watch my children and husband's eyes light up as they walked through the door. The best part was how important Kate felt as she helped me get every detail put together and her comment when we were done "Oh mommy, it's so cute. I just love it." Are you kidding me? #dying  

Grateful for all my valentines and the love I feel in my life. #blessed

Happy Valentines Day from the Johnson House!

-M