Celebrating Galentine’s day in Chicago’s Northshore

6:30 A.M. my alarm went off Feb 14, 2020. My husband just looks at me and says WHYYYYYY.

Donuts my dear. Donuts are why.

I get it, we should show our out pour of love every day to the ones we love, especially our families. We should not NEED a special day to do these things. But, let’s be honest. Some of us do need that special reminder or that special kick in the pants to go out of their way to do fun creative treats and activities for their family or friends.

I have ideas throughout the year that I want to do. But, I AM EXHAUSTED ALL THE TIME. Having little holidays that set a deadline and filter for my creative energy is sooo helpful.

My mom was the queen of all holiday activities. I rolled my eyes at this, because I really try to be minimalistic, but she had the corner on everything holiday. Valentine’s day we had heart shaped waffles and pink milk. St. Patrick’s day brought us Green Eggs and Ham and lucky charms and green milk. Easter and Christmas were just full of details I will not get into because that would be a blog of its own. I will not be living up to these holiday standards, but I do use them as a reminder that celebrating “dumb” little holidays can be just about the fun.

We may not (ok definitely will not) have a St. Valentine that visits us once a year or a valentine fairy that comes the week of valentine’s day. Though I did see an advent like valentine calendar and thought “how cute” before I had flash backs to me struggling to find enough non candy items for said calendar in December and just kept walking. I will have a few ideas that I really want to do, and then I will have things that I ACTUALLY do.

For all these holidays there are levels for me.

1. What actually happens examples are buying or doing pre made things that are easy to complete with my child. (lovelane designs valentines cards and a valentines party someone else is throwing)
2. What I plan to do examples are various activities like a scavenger hunt for my kids of hearts that say different things I love about them. Or making gifts for my Gals for a galantines get together like a Morse code swear word bracelet. Sorry ladies you’ll probably only get alcohol this year. Leslie Nope I am not.
3. Things I think are great but don’t even make it to the planning stages of doing examples can be found in the multiple open tabs on my browser and don’t even make it to my Pinterest board.

What the holidays do not need to be: stressful on any family trying to live up to a standard because they see other parents do them. I am here to be your low bar standard. You can count on me for that. Last year my kids’ valentines looked like a 3 year old made them… because the 3 year old did make them. But, I also love that there are moms out there that go all out for these events because they inspire me. While my end product may be 1/10 of theirs my kid does not really care. We have fun with what we do get to do and that is all that matters. Heck pretty sure all I have to do this Friday is get my kid heart shaped donuts or just pink donuts and she’ll be ecstatic. Basically because she has been asking for donuts for a full 2 weeks now. I am also gifting her a book because I can’t wait til her birthday to give it to her.