WHY SHOULD YOU INCORPORATE YOUR TEENS INTO VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATIONS?
Valentines gifts for teens + fun activities is about intentionally including your teen into your holiday celebration. Teenagers are all over the map as to what they want to do at any given time. However, like all people, they do need to be heard and to be included (even though they would have you believe otherwise). During Valentine’s Day, they could have a love interest, or none, lots of friends, or not so many. The thing that parents can do is to include their teens in Valentine’s Day and make it fun. While you may be past the days of filling out V-day cards for the class (we all miss those elementary days), you can still enjoy the day with your teenager.
To remind you of how V-Day has changed for teens, check out this video by Brent Rivera. It is a funny perspective of how things have changed for them.
MAKE THEM FEEL SPECIAL IN ADDITION TO THE VALENTINE’S DAY GIFTS FOR TEENS
Teens love candy and treats! So, start there! But also, if you don’t want your kid to be jacked up on candy all day, my go-to Valentine’s Day gift is a goody bag with a little candy and a few little other things. I love getting a cute little gift bag or decorating brown bags and putting a few fun items inside. It doesn’t have to be expensive things, just a few little items to let them know you thought of them. While your teen may not always show that they are thankful, I think that all people like to feel seen and to feel special. What a great day to remind them that you thought of them.
If you have the time, start the day with a heart-themed breakfast. In addition, if you have a heart-shaped cookie cutter, put your eggs or pancakes in it. Other items you could use that for is heart-shaped brownies or Rice Krispy treats. These are easy ways to start the day in your family in a celebratory way. You may even get a little smile out of them which is no easy feat for parents of teens. Therefore, the love will be reflected back to you (what parent doesn’t love a teen smile?).
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ACTIVITIES TO MAKE YOUR TEEN “FEEL THE LOVE”
Valentine’s day with teens can be fun. On the other hand, they may want to spend their time with a girlfriend or boyfriend, or other friends. The main thing to remember is to try and find a little time during that day to let them know you care. Take a few minutes to sit and talk, or similarly, find some other small way to remind them that they are loved.
One idea is to bring the party to your house. That way, you can still be around your teenager, and they can also be around friends. Plan a gathering with some Valentine’s Day snacks and a few fun decorations. Secondly, put out some games and that’s all that you need. Food, games, and a hangout and you are all set. Finally, if you really want to get fancy, make some red fruit juice drinks, and line the glass with sugar. Put out a candy bowl to add to the decorations. After that, let them have fun! Make awesome memories! While Valentines gifts for teens are good, the memories made with experiences can be priceless.
Here are some other fun teen activities for Valentine’s Day:
- Movie night! V-day movies such as the Kissing Booth or To All the Boys I’ve Loved before, but of course adjust content with age, audience, and appropriateness. In addition, it is not a “Valentine’s Day” movie but the kids in this age range love Cobra Kai.
- Another example of an activity is to do something hands-on! For instance, a puzzle, board game, or card game such as Uno or “What Do you Meme” game. In other words, something to keep the group busy and upbeat.
- Teenagers love to eat! Have some hand-on snacks such as a Valentine’s Day fondue or make a heart shaped charcuterie board. After that, make a fun drink and top with candy. The opportunities are endless with food.
- DIY Valentine’s Day paint night! You can inexpensively get a few small canvases, easels & some acrylic paint. The good thing about this activity is that you can reuse the easels and the paint for other paint nights.
- Order heart shaped pizzas! We have done this one for several years (and I love a non-cooking night)!
VALENTINE’S DAY GIFTS FOR TEENS
Valentines gifts for teens by themselves or put into goody bags don’t have to be expensive or large. Just little things to let them know that they were thought of. While this is a good-sized list to give many ideas, my suggestion would be to pick just two or three of these. For example, if a favorite candy is a treat, then a flower and one of the other items. Similarly, if a notebook is your item, pick one treat and a balloon.
Here are some ideas for gifts for your teen:
- Inexpensive jewelry – You can find this on Amazon and some cute things such as rings, bracelets or necklaces for boys and girls. I have been surprised what I have found for a few bucks. Just be sure to order in plenty of time for the holiday
- Fun water bottles
- Socks with different designs
- T-shirts
- Keychains
- Balloons
- Flower or flowers
- Valentine themed snacks – you can find these in the seasonal aisle
- Little notebooks
- Planner
- Card games
- Hot cocoa bombs (some people make heart shaped bombs)
- Little stuffed animals
- Fidget toys
- Movie tickets
- Small gift cards to get a coffee drink or hot chocolate
- Stress balls
- Box of Krispy Kremes (Valentine-themed, of course!)
- Beanie
- Cool pens or markers
- Rubik’s cube
- Book
- Picture frame (include a picture to make it super special)
- Nail polish
- Portable charger
- Pop socket
- Lip balm
- Perfume or cologne
- 3D pen
- Headbands
- Hats
- Cell phone accessories
Now a tricky thing with teens…things can go wrong pretty quickly if you say the wrong thing. This article by parents.com helps with that, finding that balance of what to say and what not to say during a holiday meal.
https://www.parents.com/kids/teens/what-not-to-say-to-tweens-or-teens-during-a-holiday-dinner/
Now are you ready to plan your Valentine’s day with teens?
As your tweens and teenagers get older, holidays such as Valentine’s Day can get awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. Do a little planning and make this a fun family event. Include friends or make it a gathering, or just family. Above all, use this holiday to have an amazing intentional time and enjoy the spirit of the day.
Plan ahead for your valentines gifts for teens. Get your teen a few small items, pair them with a little candy or small snacks and have them waiting on the table when they get up. Make it a fun day. For instance, make a Valentine-themed meal and end with a gathering for games or a movie. Get a fun tablecloth to put out treats and have some heart-shaped pizza. These are all just ideas, above all the goal is just to try and find small ways to use the day to connect with your teenager. They may only be with you a few more years…make the most of them!
In conclusion, teach your teenager that while the gifts are fun, the spirit of the day is love! Everything doesn’t have to be a bummer just because the broody teen years are upon you. Even though they may not show that they are super impressed at your efforts, making a day of it with small gestures can make your teen feel included, seen, and valued during this special day.
HOPEFULLY, YOU FOUND YOUR VALENTINES DAY GIFTS AND FOR TEENS HERE AS WELL AS AN ACTIVITY OR TWO! TAKE TIME THIS YEAR AND INTENTIONALLY PLAN A GREAT DAY FOR YOUR FAMILY, INCLUDING YOUR TEEN THIS YEAR!
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Rachael says
I love this. My parents always used to get me a super simple little Valentine’s Day treat and I so appreciated it!
cbrooks0312@comcast.net says
That is amazing! I love that you remember this about them. I think of this holiday as an opportunity for us to connect with our kids!
Robyn H says
love this! We don’t go all out for Valentine’s Day but we always do little things and as my daughter has gotten older, I’ve become slightly clueless with ideas. This helps so much!
cbrooks0312@comcast.net says
I think that the small gestures are the best! Just letting someone know that you thought of them is the greatest way to celebrate.
Mckayla says
These are such great ideas!! Thanks so much – will be trying this Valentines
cbrooks0312@comcast.net says
Glad that you liked them! There are unlimited ways to celebrate but the most important thing is just letting your kids know that you thought of them.
Mel Studer says
I love all these ideas! People forget that teens still love all the fun things too!
cbrooks0312@comcast.net says
You are so right! I think that sometimes teens appear to not care but they still love the attention.