I have been thinking for the past few weeks about how I want to celebrate Valentine’s day with the kids. The obvious choice is to buy them some candy or new stuffed animals, but their granmas already do that for them (which is awesome), and I don’t want them to do the same thing, or overrun them with candy! So this year I’m starting a new tradition.
For Valentine’s day I’m buying them each a new book. My kids love story time, andI think it will be a special way to celebrate the holiday and show them they are loved without the sugar rush. (I like to save all sugar rushes for when they are at their Grandma’s house! hehehe)
I think this will be a fun tradition that will potentially be perfect for the rest of their lives! When they are babies I will buy them sweet board books about my love for them. When they are teens I can get them books about dating and purity, and after they get married, I could give marriage books to them and their spouse every year! (I’m planning gifts too far in advance again aren’t I?) Anyway…
I’ve already chosen the book that I’m getting for Little Man this year (still choosing one for the Princess). The one I’m buying him is the first on the list, and the rest are other sweet books that we love that I think would make great Valentine gifts for the baby/toddler in your life!
You are my I love you - As soon as I saw this book in the store I knew we would have to buy it. The pictures are gorgeous, and my 2 year old loved looking at them! But the text, it made me tear up. He may not understand what it’s saying now, but he will one day. The book goes through all of these different scenarios about what the mom is to the baby and what the baby is to the mama “I am your calm, you are my wild” etc. it goes through so many different parts of a day with a mama and baby (They are both drawn as teddy bears) and it’s very relatable. The last verse goes “I am your goodnight kiss and you are my ‘I love you’” … Such a sweet book to share with a baby.
I love you forever - This is a book I will always love. My MIL bought it for Little Man for his first Christmas, and it is one of the sweetest books. It takes you through the life of a mother and son from newborn, to toddler, to teenage years, adult years and then when the mom is on her deathbed but they always say the same lines to each other “I love you forever, I’ll like you for always…” so sweet. And a reminder that even when the child is naughty mama still loves him!
Snuggle Puppy - This one is an adorable little board book with very bright pictures. It refers to the baby as a “snuggle puppy” and the book has a little song in it “I love what you are and I love what you do…I love you”. Perfect book for a baby, or smaller toddler because the pages are so vivid and the song is fun to sing!
I Love You Little One – This book has beautiful pictures of nature in it, and talks about several different animals. Each new baby animal asks the same question of it’s mother “do you love me mama?” and the mama animal will say yes, and describe their love in a way that the baby could understand, comparing it to something that the animal knew and understood. I loved the comparisons and thought it was very creative and poetic, while still being a cute children’s book. Each animal (And at the end, the human mother) ends their comparison with “I love you little one, forever and ever and always”.
Guess how much I love you - This book is a sweet “competition” between mama bunny and baby bunny. The baby tells the mama that he loves her as far as his arms can reach and the mama counters that she loves him as far as her arms can reach. which is, of course, much farther. They go back and for declaring their love until the baby bunny think’s he’s won when he declares “I love you to the moon!”. The pictures show the mama tucking him into bed and smiling as she says “I love you to the moon…and back”. Such a sweet book, and I didn’t know that it was the source of that popular “to the moon and back” quote until I read it to the end! I just might be getting this one for the Princess this year!
If I Could Keep You Little – This book is a real tear-jerker. It’s all about the things a mama would do for her child if she could keep them little, but the contrasts each statement with “but I would miss…” and describes a positive aspect of the child maturing. Perfect for a toddler that’s starting to grow up a bit more, and become more independent.
And if you don’t like lovey-dovey books, there are plenty of other great children’s books to try!
We also do a craft every year for Valentine’s day, click here to read about the craft we’re doing this year.
What about you? How do you celebrate Valentine’s day with your family? Do you have any favorite “love you” books that you would add to this list?
oooo i love this idea!! i may have to use it too :) What I have planned is somewhat similar and could be done in addition to buying a book. I found the blog post on pinterest. You create this tiny little book and then write a “love letter” in it. Here is the link: http://smallworldland.blogspot.com/2013/01/tiny-button-books.html
awww what a neat idea!!! thanks for sharing it with me :)
Books are the best gifts, Paula! You are planting a love for words in your littles and that is a beautiful thing. Love these selections too. Seeing some of my favorites here.
thanks so much Laura! My hubby and I both love to read, and it’s been fun to watch our son learn to love it too!
I love this Paula! I’ve really never had any Vday traditions, but we love books and this idea is great. I especially love the idea of giving books on courtship and marriage as they get older, I think far ahead too :)
I’ll be sharing this post today at my blog in my “Saturday Share: Vday Edition” post!
Nice to know I’m not the only one who plans gifts that far in advance! ;) glad you like the idea!!!
THanks for sharing <3
This is sweet–I’m always looking for new holiday gift ideas that don’t involve candy! :) I’m hosting a Valentine Link-Up, and would love if you could come check it out! This post would be perfect!!!
thanks for letting me know! will do :)
Love the ideas, I haven’t started a Valentine tradition, but this sure got me thinking!
So glad you linked up today, hope to see you back next week!
aww yay! I hope you think of something you like :)
We did this for Easter last year! And I love all of your book choices!
Stopping by from Finding Family
that’s fun! I’m still trying to figure out what to do for Easter. What type of book did you buy?
I’ve never heard of “You are My I Love You” but the rest on your list are some of my favourites so I will have to check that one out. Gifts aren’t usually in our Valentine’s tradition, but for books, I may have to make an exception! Great idea!
Oh my goodness Sharla, I had never heard of it until a week or so ago! I about cried in the middle of Barnes and Noble! such a sweet book! I’m sure you will love it! :) books are always the exception aren’t they? lol
Wonderful ideas!!! Your blog is sure blessing me!
Thank you Ashley! I’m so glad you are here <3
I love traditions, you know that’s what they remember when the paper is crumbled and the trinket is broken. Great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Me too! I’m so excited to be starting new ones with my little family <3
thanks for stopping by and for the sweet encouraging words!
Great idea. Thanks for sharing. I have 3 little girls and this sounds like something we may want to do as well! :)
oh yay! let me know what books you choose if you do it! :)
Hi Paula, I found you over at Jen’s. I think this new tradition is awesome. It will be something that your children will always remember fondly.
God bless
Tracy
Thanks Tracy! so glad to have you here today :)