Six Steps to be Ready for Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is coming! Here are six steps to get ready for it so you can enjoy the celebration. Planning ahead can help you relax and appreciate the occasion because you know you’re prepared. That, along with the chocolate, means we all should be feeling good! My family loves dark chocolate, and we’re looking forward to lots of it!!! Here are the six steps to get ready for a fun celebration with your family, based on professional project management principles.
FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED ❓: It’s a good time to ask your children’s teacher if they’re doing something for Valentine’s Day in the classroom. If they’re having a party, ask if there are any food allergies or restrictions. For example, in my son’s class, we can only bring in store-bought and packaged foods. My son has food allergies, so I like to ask what foods they’re having and provide a similar alternative. Also ask if they’re handing out Valentine’s Day cards so you can add that to your to-do list.
Ask your partner what they want to do for Valentine’s Day. You could go out for dinner or put the kids to bed early and have a late dinner together. Or sit on the couch and share a box of chocolates while watching TV (our plan after a delicious dinner). Now is a good time to talk about expectations and share what you would like to celebrate the holiday. My husband loves to receive cards, so I’ll be sure to get one for him.
MAKE YOUR PLAN ✔️: Now that you know what you’re going to do for Valentine's Day, make your to-do list. It could include finding a babysitter, making dinner reservations, and buying cards and cookies for school. If you’re staying home for dinner, determine your menu and add those food items to your grocery list, along with any flowers, chocolate, or cards you might need.
BUNDLE TASKS 🛍️: I try to get as much done as I can in advance, like buying cards and food when I’m out on other errands. I make a list of the supplies I currently need (cards for my son’s class, cards for my family, specialty foods, CHOCOLATE!!) and add these items to my regular shopping list. Pick up a few items while you’re out running other errands now so you don’t have to make a separate trip later and can relax knowing that you’re prepared.
PREP IN ADVANCE 🍰: Valentine’s Day is on a weekday this year, which might mean you will have less time to make dinner than if it were on a weekend. Check your recipes and see if there’s something you can make in advance. Can you make the cake layers and freeze them? Can you marinate the meat and put that in the freezer? Can you write out your Valentine’s Day card now for your partner and include a thoughtful note when you have time to think about it? Studies have shown that planning in advance can reduce stress and anxiety. You can learn more about how to increase wellbeing through planning in this blog post.
INVOLVE THE FAMILY 💌: Get your family involved wherever they can. Now’s a great time for your kids to practice their handwriting when addressing the classroom Valentine’s cards. Work it in as an activity over several days so they can get a little bit done at a time. Also involve your kids in making cookies and helping with dinner preparations. They will learn essential life skills and be so proud to share their creations with others!
OUTSOURCE AS NEEDED AND GIVE YOURSELF GRACE❤️: It doesn’t have to be a perfect celebration, and you don’t have to do everything yourself. For example, my husband loves lasagna, and Stouffers probably makes a better one than I do anyway. Buy the cake at a bakery or use a mix. It’s ok – I used to work in professional pastry kitchens, and I buy prepared foods! Valentine’s Day is about love, and that includes taking care of ourselves, so don’t plan a five-course meal at home that will exhaust you on a weeknight. Give yourself grace. I’m sure your family would rather have a happy and relaxed celebration than see you stressed out.
I hope you enjoy the day and feel the love and gratitude of the occasion. If you would like more planning tips, you can check them all out in my book, Project Management for Parents: Engage the Family, Build Teamwork, Succeed Together. It’s a timeless primer that teaches parents and kids essential life skills through project management principles.
