What to Buy, Make, Bake, Sip, and Watch for Valentine’s Day

We’re celebrating all of the holidays this year, and Valentine’s Day is this Sunday, February 14! Though not everyone enjoys seeing all of the red, pink, and white, we are completely on board with any holiday that celebrates love and positivity. Whether you are searching for simple and fun Valentine’s Day cards your kids can DIY for family, friends, and classmates or a fun movie to watch as a family, we have you covered below. We’re sharing what to buy, make, bake, sip, and watch to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home!

Buy:

The winter can feel long, and flowers are a quick way to brighten any mood or space. Stop by the grocery store and treat yourself to a bouquet or add one to your cart for a Covid-safe delivery to a loved family member.

Make:

Rather than purchasing Valentine’s Day cards this year, why not turn them into a fun craft? We’ve found excellent sources for your kids to make their own cards. Messy Little Monster, Oh Joy!, and  Studio DIY (these are fun for adults, too!) all shared printable Valentine’s Day cards. Also, The Pioneer Woman shared nearly 40 cards you can DIY! 

Bake: 

We have been craving sugar cookies, and Ashley Brooke Designs shared a recipe that is allergy-friendly. Learn how to make her gluten-free and dairy-free sugar cookies! Because half of the fun of sugar cookies is decorating them, don’t forget the icing, sprinkles, and cookie cutters.

Sip:

We’re almost certain you have a go-to cocktail, but when was the last time you made a mocktail? Serve Valentine’s Day drinks your kids can enjoy too when you make one of these recipes from Parenting – we have to say the Shirley Temple with Pop Rocks caught our eye! We also spotted this Hibiscus Mocktini from Real Simple.

Watch:

Once your cookies are out of the oven and your mocktails are set, you’re ready to watch a movie! A rom-com is a must for Valentine’s Day. The Today Show launched a bracket with their top picks. If you’re looking for more kid or teen-friendly flicks, what about turning on “The Parent Trap”, “The Princess Diaries”, or “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”? The final suggestion is based on a beloved YA book series with the same name by Jenny Han – teens love it! 

How are you spending your Valentine’s Day? Let us know how you plan to celebrate on Facebook!

How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day on a Budget

When I think of February, Valentine’s Day always comes to mind first. I still remember the mailboxes I would create in elementary school before our annual Valentine’s Day parties, and I paid careful attention to the Valentines I chose to give out to friends. A personalized note was always a must! Although my mailbox creation days may be behind me, this holiday has always been about spreading positivity (and love!). As a result, I can’t help but celebrate every year because I’m convinced Valentine’s Day will always be one of my favorite holidays.

Announcing, Week of Love!

This year, we thought we would celebrate even more than usual, so Shopkick is launching Week of Love today! We’re sharing how to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget by teaming up with some of your favorite retailers to give you the chance to earn big kicks as you get ready for the big day. Whether you’re prepping to celebrate with your partner, hosting a Galentine’s Day get together, or treating friends and family to a little extra holiday fun, there’s something for everyone!

Over the next week, make sure to check the app daily. That way, you will never miss that day’s reveal of the Week of Love Valentine’s Day retailer who is offering big kicks! As a sneak peek for blog readers, we can share a few of the places where you will want to shop for Valentine’s Day between now and next Thursday.

Valentine’s Day Gifts & Big Kicks:

You can find just about anything on Jet.com! The site is home to a wealth of top brands for home, entertainment, and fashion. Peruse the site, and pick up a new kitchen appliance, the coolest headphones, or even a new bag. There’s also a great kids’ shop!

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t enjoy a surprise delivery of flowers. Great news – 1800Flowers is in on the fun! I can’t reveal which day their kicks are going live, but I can say your blooms will be delivered in time for Valentine’s Day. If you want to do something extra special for your mom, this is the moment!

There will even be an opportunity to score big kicks on a great date night. Keep your eyes peeled for Fandango’s big kicks! Plan a cozy night with your partner or your girlfriends on Valentine’s Day at the movies. Going out to dinner or stopping for drinks before or after your screening is the recipe for a fun night together!

There will be even more retailers announced throughout the week, and you can also find plenty of gift inspiration for her and him in our lookbooks. Happy Week of Love, all!

How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? Let us know!

Make sure to download Shopkick for free, and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more shopping inspiration!

Valentine’s Day Shopping Habits: Survey Results

It’s that time of year again, when kids bring valentines to school, romantics make grand gestures and the flower and chocolate businesses boom. We’ve polled Shopkick users to find out what kind of gift giving they are planning this year, and how gender, family, and age come into play.

According to our survey, men are spending more than twice as much as women: an average of $207.60 on their significant other and $70.24 on their children. On the other half of the heart, women plan to spend $89.54 on their sweeties and $40.30 on the little ones.

Some more key insights on Valentine’s day shopper behavior include:

  • Guys are more giving: More men (40 percent) than women (31 percent) believe it’s “very important” to give a Valentine’s Day gift
  • But most don’t care about getting in return: Fifty-five percent of men don’t find it at all important to receive a gift, and not many of either gender find it very important; only 17 percent of women and 11 percent of men
  • Getting crafty: Women are more likely than men to make a gift (15 percent vs. 7 percent) or give experiences (16 percent vs. 10 percent)
  • Tried and true: The most popular gifts are the traditional dinner out (27 percent) or flowers and chocolate (21 percent)

And finally, despite the reports that having children kills romance, mom and dad still plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Seventy-six percent of parents consider themselves romantic and 38 percent start planning the big day a month in advance; 55 percent are more excited about Valentine’s Day since becoming a parent.

Wishing all of our partners and friends a very happy V-day!