Valentine’s Day Ideas For Busy Parents

Too busy for Valentine’s Day? If you’re already juggling work, kids’ activities, healthy meals, and exercise, you probably have enough on your plate without worrying about plans for February 14th. So here are some easy, inexpensive date and gift ideas for Valentine’s Day, or really any day that you choose to celebrate your relationship.

Date Ideas

Stay In

On busy date nights like Valentine’s Day, the restaurants are often crowded and the babysitters are booked, so skip the stress and plan an evening in. When our kids were little, my husband and I would put them to bed, and then enjoy making a “grown-up” dinner together (chicken fingers, not included!) Now that they’re older, and we’re running from one activity to another, having them all with us at dinner is a treat!

If you don’t like to cook, order a meal-to-go, eat dessert for dinner, or throw together some snacks and cuddle up with a good movie. Anything that you wouldn’t normally do can make date-night special.

Double Up

Sometimes, a double date can get you in the right mindset for Valentine’s Day. I often find that date-night becomes compare-schedules-night, or discuss-the-kids-night when we’re on our own. Dining with another couple helps to keep us focused on stories, dreams, wishes, and other non-routine topics!

Choose Your Own Date

If Valentine’s Day just doesn’t work, take a raincheck and make plans to celebrate another day. If you can both take time out during the day, it opens up so many more options than a candlelit dinner. Take a hike, bike ride, a class, a lesson, a boat ride or whatever is relaxing for you. How about a midday movie while the kids are at school?

Outfit Ideas

If you’re not going anywhere fancy enough for a cocktail dress, you can find plenty of Valentine’s Day inspired casual pieces that you can wear year-round.

Love Inspired Casual Style

$ Thread Tank has an entire collection of love-themed t-shirts that you can wear year-round. They have a relaxed fit, and their v-neck styles don’t come down too low.

I’ve worn their Drink Coffee Like A Gilmore Girl t-shirt for a few years now, and it has held up after many washes. (Most of their t-shirts do contain polyester, which I try to avoid, but this one was a gift.)

You can also find their t-shirts on Amazon:

All You Need Is Love (for the math enthusiast.)

Musical Notes (for the “player”.)

Simply Heart (for the one who bears her heart.)

$$ If you need something a little warmer, take a look at Sundry’s Love Side-Zip Sweatshirt in 100% cotton.

Red, White, And Pink Sleepwear

$ If you’re staying in, take a look at Soma’s Cool Nights Grosgrain Trim Pajama Pants in Romantic Porcelain. The print is sweet and sophisticated and the Cool Nights fabric is the most comfortable fabric that I’ve worn to bed!

$ The Company Store’s Printed Knit Pajama Set in Hearts also looks cozy and comfortable!

A Little More Dressy…

$$ I bought the J.Crew Poppy blouse as my Valentine’s inspired piece. I love that I can wear it with pants, a pencil skirt or jeans, tucked in or left loose.

$ I also really like their Mockneck top in floral lace which you can get in a deep Valentine’s Day inspired red, lilac, blue or black.

Gifts Ideas

For Her

$ Chocolate and cards never go out of style, so why not combine the two with Uncommon Goods’ With Love Chocolate Cards? For something a little fancier, try the Maison Du Chocolat Heart Gift Box.

$ A silk pillowcase is a luxurious and practical gift.

$$$ You can’t go wrong with jewelry, especially a classic style like Tiffany & Co’s Loving Heart Pendant or Bead Bracelet.

For Him

$ I think these Wanna Date jars are pretty sweet and funny! But, if he presfers a spicy (or saucy) gift try the Marshall’s Haute Sauce Gift Set from Williams Sonoma.

$ For the chef (when it’s too cold to grill outside) take a look at this Le Creuset Cast Iron Rectangular Skinny Grill which he can use on the stove or under the broiler.

$$ Patagonia’s Better Sweater Jacket has become a favorite amongst the guys in my family. It’s not a terribly romantic gift, but it will be well loved (by him and the planet.)

The One Thing All Busy Parents Want…

If you don’t have time for any gifts, new clothes or activities, there is one more thing you can give to your Valentine. How about a few extra hours of sleep? That might just be my Valentine’s wish!

Let me know how you celebrate!

Have you read: 7 Ways To Ease The Winter Blues? Spring officially arrives about a month after Valentine’s Day, but for many of us, spring weather doesn’t arrive until much later!

If you’re on Pinterest, take a look at my Valentine’s Day/For The Love Of Red board for lots of ideas.