InvitingSmiles Blog

If you have just started your own family and are looking to make your own traditions, give the gift of books to your children and you will never regret it. Start reading to your children as early as you can to ensure their love of reading. Your child will not just enjoy the story or the sound of your voice, but reading to them while you are cuddling them will ensure a wonderful bonding process.

With the upcoming holiday pending, you may want to take a look at all of the children’s books about Valentines Day. Start your collection now and add on each year and you will have a great selection that you will cherish. You will notice in the beginning that your baby will be more intent on listening to your voice for the rhythm of language rather than the content. Start by reading about anything to your baby, even something you read for yourself each day; a magazine or a novel for example. You will probably get the same response from them. (more…)

If you have just found out that you’re pregnant, then what better Valentine gift for your husband than to announce your pregnancy on Valentines Day.
He will always remember the day he first found out that he was going to be a dad.

Send him on a scavenger hunt for his Valentine gift. You could leave a note on a little childlike Valentine that leads him to a sweetheart candy box with another note that leads him to a baby stuffed animal. Continue the theme until his final destination where he finds a baby bottle with a special note rolled up inside letting him know he is going to be a daddy. (more…)

Wedding cakes and Valentines Day just seem to go together. Both are symbolic of love and romance. So, if your wedding is around Valentines Day, you might choose a wedding cake designed with the holiday in mind.

If an elegant white cake is your desire, then top it with a heart shaped design. Have rose petals around the table and red heart cut outs. You may desire a more ‘fun’ cake with red writing on the layers and sayings such as I Love You, Hugs and Kisses, Romance, Just Married, etc. If you want your wedding cake to be formal, then the groom’s cake can incorporate Valentines Day. A chocolate cake, chocolate icing and red heart decorations will add a fun, romantic, tasty touch to your reception. His table can be decorated with small heart shaped candy boxes for your guests to choose from.

Be creative and personalize your wedding with the love and romance of the holiday. It will set your reception apart from others, and be a memorable moment for all.

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Valentines Day is fast approaching and romance is in the air! This year instead of a cozy dinner for two, you may wish to host a Valentine Party for the special couples in your life. Make it for couples only for a truly quiet, relaxing evening.

You can start your party with a romantic dinner at home. Use your best dinnerware and bring out the wine glasses. Decorate your table in elegance with candle light and crimson reds. Enjoy toasts to unity, love and romance. Start your dinner conversation with anniversary dates, dating stories, wedding mishaps and fun times as a couple. Finish your dinner with a decadent chocolate dessert for the holiday. (more…)

Valentines Day is right around the corner so make some plans with your spouse for a romantic weekend without the kids. Believe it or not, being away from your kids is as beneficial to them as it is to you. Give yourselves a break, drop the kids with grandma and grandpa, and get reacquainted with each other.

Valentines Day can mean different things to different people, but one message is clear, romance is the name of the game. Finding time to keep the spark going in the midst of raising kids, working and running a household can be very difficult. Taking time away for yourselves will actually make you better parents. (more…)

If your baby is born just after the first of the year, consider sending Valentine Birth Announcements! What a great time of year to announce your special blessing.

Kisses and hugs and oh so sweet, here is a precious little baby we want you to meet! Choose this opening line, or another you have created, add a photo of the baby, or one of a sibling kissing the baby. Add the baby’s name, date of birth, time of birth, weight and length, and the parents & sibling names. Include a little greeting of Happy Valentines Day and you are all set! (more…)

Valentines Day is fast approaching and many new moms-to-be are wondering about chocolate and pregnancy. Does chocolate need to be avoided all together?

While I am not a doctor, I am a chocaholic, so this interests me. You may have heard lately that there are benefits to dark chocolate. Some uses are to lower blood pressure, or to use as an antioxidant. (more…)

February is a time of year set forth for love, so why not have a Valentine Wedding. Colors of red and pink will set the mood of a valentine romance. The groom and groomsmen can be in black with beautiful red boutonnieres. The bridesmaids could hold a single rose, while the bride can carry a rose cascade.

While roses are associated with Valentines Day, they are expensive at this time of year. You may consider pink flowers for the bridesmaids decorated with little red hearts. Your florist will have suggestions for creative alternatives. Be sure to plan ahead as all florists will be very busy! (more…)

It is that time of year for Valentine Parties when little boys and girls are either excited or embarrassed to send out their valentines. Many teachers will have the children make their own box, or sack, to receive their special cards. Be sure that all children are included, so they all get plenty of valentines!

To make sure your Valentine card is special, have your child write one good thing they know about their classmate on that friend’s card. This is a fabulous way of teaching your little one to take time and notice the good things in people. Each of their classmates will feel special to have their asset noted on their card. (more…)

What do you get as a Valentines Day gift for a teenager? There is teenage puppy love flowing at our house this year. So, what is an appropriate gift for that teenage romance?

My daughter decided on a gift basket for her boyfriend. She has chosen some of his favorite things and the theme of football and their school colors of red, black and silver.

A plastic party bowl shaped and printed like a football is the base (bought at Party City). In the center of the bowl she put a decorative red balloon weight and attached a Happy Valentines Day balloon. She filled the bottom of the bowl with silver confetti strips and his favorite candies and 2 bags of popcorn. She purchased a cute red frame at the Dollar Store and decorated it with their names in silver stick-on letters adding a picture of the two of them. Add to this a small rubber red & black football and a small red teddy bear and you have a very cute, appropriate gift. If you want to spend a little more money, then add a favorite DVD, or CD to the basket! My daughter added the first DVD they rented and watched together.

Of course, you can alter the balloon and use this gift idea for any birthday or holiday as well. So, listen up to your loved one and remember a few of their favorite things. This will put you on the road to a fantastic and personal Valentines Day gift.

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