Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Valentine’s Day has a whole different meaning now that I’m a parent… in the past, it was all romance and flowers and fancy dinners, and now it’s paper hearts and stuffed animals and little paper Valentine’s cards. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The bean and I love crafts, so a holiday is a great excuse to get creative. Here are a few of our favourite Valentine’s Day crafts:
– Cutting out paper hearts. This is a great exercise for little hands that are learning how to use scissors. Fold paper in half, draw half a heart, and let your child cut it out, open it, and decorate or colour it.
– Suncatchers. You can fill a plastic yogurt lid with school glue, add a few drops of food colouring, and swirl with a toothpick. When it dries punch a hole in the top of it and hang it in a window. You can also do a cool suncatcher with crayon shavings: sandwich different coloured crayon shavings between two pieces of wax paper, and then iron (on the lowest setting). It will immediately melt in a super cool swirly fashion. Then we cut ours out into hearts.
Paper plate cardholder. Take two paper plates and punch holes halfway around the outside of the plates. Lace yarn in and out of the holes to affix the two plates together. Cut a flat opening across the top and decorate with hearts. Add a string so your little one can carry their cardholder over their shoulder.
Simple store-bought cards. We went to our local dollar store and picked up a few packs of Valentine’s Day cards, then came home to write them out, colour on them, add stickers, etc.
Love animals. We have a bag of differently-sized foam hearts that we’ve used to create all sorts of Valentine’s Day-inspired animals. We made fish and used the hearts as fins and lips, we made butterflies and used the bigger hearts for wings, and we even made little lovebirds with heart-shaped tails.
A full-time work-from-home mom, Jennifer Cox (our “Supermom in Training”) loves dabbling in healthy cooking, craft projects, family outings, and more, sharing with Suburban readers everything she knows about being an (almost) superhero mommy.
Kitchen housewarming gifts can be practical, stylish, and fun.
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Moving to a new home, whether it’s across town or across several state lines, can be an exciting time – but also a budget-busting experience. New homeowners (and apartment dwellers), often want new items in their new space, but can’t afford to spend funds on the cool, new stuff they need or desire.
We’re starting a new series to provide you practical and fun housewarming suggestions and ideas – starting with the best housewarming gifts for the kitchen. (And if you’re a new – or soon to be new – homeowner, you might want to drop some not-so-subtle hints by sharing this article with your family members and friends).
Aarke Carbonator III Premium Carbonator
Carbonated water can help with daily hydration goals.
Aarke Carbonator III – Amazon.com
New homeowners trying to stay hydrated and drink less sugary drinks will appreciate the Aarke Carbonator III Premium Carbonator, which makes sparkling and seltzer water at the touch of a lever. The slim design (which uses a Co2 cylinder) doesn’t take up much space on the countertop, and carbonates water in a matter of seconds. It comes in a variety of colors, including black, black chrome, copper, gold, sand, steel, and white.
Heritage Steel 13.5” French Skillet with Lid
This French Skillet is oven safe to 800 degrees F.
Heritage Steel French Skillet – Heritage Steel
This beautiful Heritage Steel 13.5” French Skillet with Lid is easy on the eyes, and also quite functional and durable. The 5-ply construction (including titanium-strengthened steel alloy) of this 7-pound skillet gives it enough thickness to be perfect for any type of cooktop – including induction and grills. It’s oven safe up to 800 degrees F, with a stay-cool handle, and an easy pour rim. This makes the skillet ideal for everything from searing meats to scrambling eggs to making French toast and grilled sandwiches.
Zwilling Enfinigy Electric Salt/Pepper Mill Set
These battery operated grinders have grind settings.
Zwilling Enfinity Salt/Pepper Mill – Zwilling
You can help new homeowners elevate their dining experience with this Zwilling Enfinigy Electric Salt/Pepper Mill Set. The minimalist 2 piece ceramic set can quietly grind salt, peppercorns and spices, and includes a spin dial for selecting between a fine or coarse grind. There’s also an automatic light that illuminates the grinding area, and a 360 degree window. The mill is cordless and recharges via the included USB cable.
Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine
Brew at-home espressos like a barista.
Breville Barista Touch Impress – Breville
You’ll be the favorite friend or family member of homeowners who love espresso drinks with the Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine. It has a built-in grinder for the giftee’s favorite coffee beans, and an intelligent dosing and tamping system. In just 3 seconds, the ThermoJet heating system reaches the ideal extraction temperature, and the automatic steam wand lets the user adjust the milk temperature (anywhere from 104 degrees to 167 degrees F) for the desired microfoam. In addition, the easy-to-use espresso machine has a touch screen (with both words and icons) that provides step-by-step guidance.
Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Grill
Grill, griddle, roast, and more with the hood up or down.
Ninja Foodi XL 7-in-1 Grill – Ninja
You can make the new homeowner’s life easier with this Ninja Foodi XL 7-in-1 Indoor Grill. It has 7 presets, including grill, BBQ griddle, air crisp, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate. The grill can make everything from bacon and eggs to steak and veggies to stir fry, wings and fries – and reaches temperatures up to 500 degrees F for high-heat searing and chargrilling. The XL size (which has a 4 quart crisper, and can hold 4 sandwiches or 6 pancakes) makes it easy to cook for families, and the grill’s hood can be used either up or down, depending on the function.
Vitamix Propel Series 510 Blender
Chop. blend, and puree with this professional style blender.
Vitamix Propel Series Blender – Amazon
Vitamix makes a variety of high-quality blenders; however, we chose the Vitamix Propel Series 510 Blender because, although it’s a professional grade model, the 48-ounce low profile container doesn’t take up as much counter space as some of the company’s other blenders. It has 10 variable speeds, and 3 program settings: smoothie, hot soup, and frozen dessert. In addition the 2HP motor and pulse feature make it easy to chop, blend and puree everything from smoothies and juices to frozen treats and hot soup.
GreenPan Reserve 10-Piece Pots and Pans Set
Twilight blue, merlot purple, and sunrise yellow are just some of the color choices.
GreenPan Reserve Cookware – Greenpan
Chefs and amateur cooks alike with love the various color choices of the GreenPan Reserve 10 Piece Pots and Pans Set. Made of a diamond-reinforced ceramic nonstick with a scratch-resistant, hard anodized body, the set includes 2 frying pans, 2 saucepans with lids, a saute pan with lid, and a stockpot with lid. The pots and pans are oven and broiler safe to 600 degrees F, and have stainless steel, gold tone handles. Color choices for the pots and pans set include twilight blue, blush pink, julep green, merlot purple, light blue, sunrise yellow, taupe brown, and black.
The Rubbermaid Elite Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can
Touch-free opening is convenient and sanitary.
Rubbermaid Trashcan – Amazon
This charcoal finished, stainless steel trash can looks good in any kitchen – and it has a fingerprint resistant coating to make smudges invisible. The Rubbermaid Elite Stainless Steel Sensor Trash Can also has a hands-free lid that makes it easier and more hygienic to open and close the trashcan. The sensor technology uses AA batteries that last for over 2 years. There’s also a stay open feature to keep the lid open for longer when needed. The quiet close lid lowers slowly to reduce noises, and other features include a removable liner bucket, and bag cinch to secure the bag in place.
Kilne The Flatware Set
This modern flatware set looks good on any table.
Kilne Flatware Set – Kilne
The modern Kilne Flatware Set looks stylish on any dining table. Made of 18/10 stainless steel for enhanced shine (and corrosion-resistance), it’s durable enough to use every day, and elegant enough to use on special occasions. The set includes 24 pieces with six knives, forks, spoons, and teaspoons. The set comes in four finishes: silver, black, rose gold, and gold.
Corosi Rice Cooker
Make rice, grains, and more in this rice cooker.
Cosori Rice Cooker – Amazon
There’s rice – and then there’s the perfect rice made in the Cosori Rice Cooker. The appliance has a 10-cup nonstick interior, and presets for everything from white and brown rice to oatmeal and grains – as well as hard, regular, and soft texture options. There are also other cooking modes, such as quick rice, steam, saute’, keep warm, and slow cook. Plus, the parts and accessories are dishwasher safe.
