Valentines for our handsome little guys

Unfortunately, Valentines Day seems to have gone to the women. More often than not, it is celebrated by giving women chocolates and flowers, or going out to some fancy Italian restaurant for dinner. In the schools, kids might make disposable heart-shaped mailboxes and hand out Valentine cards complete with monkeys that say: "I'm bananas for you!" or purple puppies with heart-shaped spots that say: "I wuff you!" But while jewelry stores, chocolatiers, and florists might try to have you convinced that Valentines Day is for women only, I'm hear to say they are gravely mistaken. Now, I could easily go into a huge lecture about my true thoughts about Valentines Day and how grossly over commercialized it is, how completely materialistic it has always been, and how ridiculous I think our celebrations are for it. But, rather than ramble on about the negatives, I'd rather call to attention what I really see Valentines Day as: an excuse for people to say "I love you." And regardless of the cliche and probable cheesy way most people might go about doing so on Valentines Day, what's really wrong with taking a day to show a little extra love to the ones who matter most?

So how did a day to celebrate our love for one another turn into a day to spoil women only? In several different families, I have seen girlfriends, wives, mother's, and daughters all doted on for Valentines Day. Dads who want their daughters to feel like princesses, husbands who want their wives to feel romanced, and so on and so forth. But what about my sons? Am I supposed to ignore them on Valentines Day? Just because they are boys doesn't mean they don't want to be shown a little love. It doesn't mean they don't want to be spoiled or made to feel special. In fact, I've even come to find that they enjoy some of the cutesy heart-shaped fun that a lot of people associate more as a "girly thing" for Valentines Day. But who ever said girls held ownership over heart shapes? My boys like hearts and even the color pink (gasp!). And I can guarantee you they would LOVE a box of chocolates.

Even though I admittedly have some hopes of some romantic surprises for Valentines day for myself, I most certainly do not believe that the holiday should be celebrated for women only. I see Valentines Day as an excuse to show a little extra love to everyone, guys and gals alike, that you care about. So if you have a son, please don't forget to show him some Valentines Day sweetness as well. Just because little boys might not always be into the same "lovey dovey" stuff as some little girls, it doesn't mean they wouldn't enjoy a little something special. Maybe make them their favorite breakfast. Maybe give them a special sweet treat. Perhaps play their favorite video game with them. Or maybe just take a minute to give them a hug and a kiss and tell them how much you love them. Whatever you do, don't let commercialism get the best of you and convince you not to consider your sons on Valentines Day. As I said before: girls don't own heart-shapes, nor do they own exclusive rights to pink, purple, flowers, or chocolates. Boys need to know they are loved too!

Pictured below is a little "love monster" Valentine I made for my son a few years back. I put it in his mailbox to find on Valentines Day morning. He absolutely adored that little monster! The picture of my son is a little blurry but only because he wouldn't stop dancing around with his Valentine monster.

No matter how silly it may seem, it's the little things (like silly homemade Valentines Day cards) that can mean the most to your kids. Whether you have sons or daughters, it's important to take any opportunity you can to show them that you care, even on a corny holiday like Valentines Day. ;)