10 Kid-friendly Valentine Gift Ideas from the Heart   by Sherrie Le Masurier

With February 14th just around the corner there's no better time than now to start thinking about creative ways to express your affection.

This Valentines Day take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and surprise your children with something that speaks volumes about how much they're loved.

All you need is a few supplies, a couple of different sized 'heart' cookie cutters and lots of imagination.

Send a Secret Valentine

Cut a heart shape out of white construction paper. Write a message in white crayon. Then put the heart in an envelope along with a note explaining to your child that she needs to paint the valentine red for the words to appear. Go one step further and drop it in the mail.

Start Your Morning Off With Some "I Love You" Toast

Instead of ordinary toast make French or 'toaster' toast special by cutting the bread with a large cookie cutter. Top your bread 'hearts' with strawberry syrup or jam.

Make Heart-Shaped Sandwiches

Spread strawberry jam on one slice of bread then cut a heart shape out of a second slice. When you put the two slices together you have a beautiful red heart jam sandwich.

Pour a Secret Love Potion

Add a little cranberry juice or red food colouring to your children's apple juice and drop in some ice cubes made of the same liquid. Toss a few cinnamon hearts into each ice cube section before you put the mixture into the freezer. Or simply add a few cinnamon hearts to a bowl of apple sauce.

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Hide "I Love You" Coupons

Surprise your kids with heart-shaped coupons tucked under their pillow or under their dinner plates. Ideas could include: an impromptu tickle fest, an extra storybook reading, a back rub, a cookie baking session, a movie and some cuddle time on the couch etc.

Prepare Some 'Love' Pasta

Serve spaghetti noodles shaped into a big heart with a tomato sauce centre and heart-shaped garlic toast. Cut heart shapes out of several pieces of white bread. Spread on a little butter mixed with some garlic powder, Parmesan cheese and some dried Parsley. Broil until brown.

Make a Heart-Shaped Pizza

Creatively work your dough into a heart shape and top with pepperoni or salami hearts made from sandwich slices.

Hugs & Kisses (Hershey style)

Purchase a bag of Hershey Hugs and a bag of Hershey Kisses and go wild hiding them all over your home. Attach love notes or clues as to where more can be found.

Give a 'Krispie' Kiss

Mix up a batch of Rice Krispie squares but instead of using a pan, mould the rice cereal mixture with the aid of funnel coated with butter or margarine. Depending on the size of funnel used you should be able to make between six and twelve Rice Krispie kisses. To resemble a Hershey's Kiss, wrap in foil and insert a little note that sticks out a little from the top.

Serve Up Some Heart-Shaped Brownies

Make up your favorite brownie recipe but instead of cutting into small squares cut into hearts. Enjoy all the little leftover pieces yourself - I won't tell.

Remember the most cherished gifts are usually the ones which are given from the heart not the pocketbook. Be creative and have fun. If nothing else, I hope the above suggestions have inspired some fun ideas of your own. Happy Valentines Day!

About the Author

Sherrie Le Masurier is a lifestyle columnist, organizing consultant and a member of Professional Organizers in Canada. She offers up smart solutions for busy families via http://www.familysanitysavers.com - Copyright 2007.