Love Letters
I love celebrating holidays. Even the ones that were created by evil people out to get my money, like Valentines Day. I am always looking for ways to make holidays more about giving to each other and less about candy for my kids.
While browsing through the $1 section at Target today, I came across these little mail boxes. I thought they would be a fun way for our family to celebrate Valentine's day and affirm each other.
Each family member has a letter taped on their box (D for daddy, E for Elijah, etc...) Anytime your flag is up, you have mail. I do realize that I am going to spend much of my time over the next 10 days reading aloud and taking dictations since Graham cannot write or read at all and Elijah still requires lots (and lots) of help, but I think it will be worth the effort.
Letters can include (but are not limited to) proud moments of the day, things you love about the other person, and things you think they are good at. We set up our boxes last night and all put a letter in for my husband. He seemed to really enjoy coming home from work to 3 letters of encouragement.
I would love to hear any unique ways you and your family celebrate Valentine's day!
I absolutely love this idea! With 4 teenagers (3 of them girls), we could all use more encouragement in our home. I think I will have to head to Target on the way home (oh darn! LOL)
You have such a beautiful family Holly! I don't know if you read your comments here, but I have to tell you, your husband is the first and ONLY preacher, I have ever listened to willingly in the car. It's the best use of my iPhone w/adapter to listen in the car stereo. :) God Bless!
Posted by: Charity | February 15, 2011 at 06:16 PM
Holly, I cannot thank you enough for posting this. I consider myself a pretty creative person (God has gifted me to be a kindergarten teacher for the last 14 yrs.) but this idea has been so significant for my boys and I. Seven months ago, my husband/their father left our home. I have been trying to find little ways to start new "traditions" during each holiday for the 3 of us...and this was PERFECT! I have made mailboxes for Jake (age 4 1/2), Will (age 3 1/2) and me and it is the centerpiece on our kitchen table for the month of February. I placed several markers, stickers, little notepads, etc. in a basket and the boys have loved writing their little notes to me and each other. What a boost this idea has been for all of us--and it gives all of us words of affirmation of our LOVE for one another. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Warmly, Michelle M. Blakeney Campus
Posted by: Michelle M. | February 07, 2011 at 10:36 PM
Holly, just wanted to share that this craft was such a hit, thank you for posting this idea! We made our mailboxes today at daycare, and I posted some of the pics on our blog. All the little friends loved creating notes for one another, we are going to continue to do this until our Valentine's Day party. Thanks so much again, I love your blog, and I love the ideas you share! Have a great day!
Posted by: Stephanie | February 04, 2011 at 04:30 PM
What a cute idea!
Posted by: Hannah | February 04, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Super cute!! Check out my lovely friend's blog. Julie is oozing with creativity and has lots more Valentine's ideas!
http://happyhomefairy.com/
Posted by: melissa Elswick | February 04, 2011 at 08:30 AM
I love that idea. That's such a great way to meaning into Valentines Day and what Love is all about!
Posted by: Katie | February 03, 2011 at 06:35 PM
A great idea!!! Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Amy Myers | February 03, 2011 at 06:14 PM
Love! May have to go to Target tomorrow...
BTW: I got 1 of your packages this week. I am still waiting on 1 more. And I thought that I had it all together with your gifts. *sigh* I hope they will be worth the wait.
Posted by: Steph | February 03, 2011 at 04:29 PM
What a cute idea. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Indy | February 03, 2011 at 04:21 PM
Very cute. You are the second blog I read that used these in their home. :) They are cute.
Posted by: LaVonne | February 03, 2011 at 02:30 PM
I love your idea!!! Last year I set our dining room table all fancy and made our families favorite dinner including each persons favorite side dish. We used "our good plates and glasses" and the kids loved it!!! On each persons dinner plate there was a list of the 5 things I love about them...then I glued the list onto red construction paper and used a craft cutter to make it look fancy.
You can see the lists here:
http://thetrueprofessional.blogspot.com/2010/02/5-things.html
Posted by: Marie | February 03, 2011 at 02:02 PM
Great Idea! We have a home day care with 8 little friends, this would be great for them. Gives a new meaning to Yo've Got Mail! LOVE IT!
Posted by: Stephanie | February 03, 2011 at 01:06 PM
This is a great idea. Even if my kids are older (8 & 10), they will still enjoy this. Very crafty and thoughtful. Great way to keep everyone positve and encouraged! :)
Posted by: Crystal McKittrick | February 03, 2011 at 11:21 AM
we have the exact same mailboxes at our house too! the boys love finding little notes. i think we're gonna jam pack pete's full for him to take to india with him next week. saw lori last week and she has them as well!
great minds think alike! ;)
Posted by: brandiandboys | February 03, 2011 at 11:00 AM
You are so creative and thoughtful! Great way to focus on the positive and encourage those we love. I may have to steal (I mean, borrow) this idea as well.
I hope that you are feeling well. The countdown is on :).
Posted by: Melissa Durham | February 03, 2011 at 10:54 AM
What a great idea! Heading to Target today and doing it at our home too. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Vanessa | February 03, 2011 at 10:03 AM
totally cute idea Holly! always love the thought of expressing positively to each other...
Posted by: Linda Seidler | February 03, 2011 at 09:52 AM
I LOVE this idea! May have to "borrow" it. ;)
Posted by: Amy | February 03, 2011 at 09:34 AM
I love this. What a great idea!
Posted by: Karen Sessions | February 03, 2011 at 09:32 AM