Valentine's Day Gifts

Valentine's Day is next week! So today I'm sharing my go-to Valentine gifts for teachers, classmates and the men in your life if you need some ideas!

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Last year Caroline gave her classmates mini boxes of raisins as Valentine gifts. This was so easy and fun that I'm recycling this idea again this year for both kidddos.

Bubbles Printable // Socks Printable

When the kids were in the infant class I gave their teachers cute socks. The infant class is a "shoe-less" room so they liked this gift.

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Another teacher gift idea I recently through together -- a jar of hugs!

Printable created in word (not saved, sorry!)

And another candy idea -- except this gift comes with the possibility to win some moneyyyyy!

Bubbles Printable

Last year for both kids' teachers we did bags of Boom Chicka Pop and it was a huge hit. The teachers loved this little treat because who doesn't love this delicious popcorn?! You could also add a redbox code to your card if you wanted to add a little more to the gift.

Popcorn Printable

On to the much harder gift -- the dudes...

First, I can't thank everyone enough for their gift suggestions on this post. I decided to scrap the MyPillow idea after reading all of your reviews! Instead I picked up this (which is kind of joint gift for at home date-nights) and a pair of these (currently on sale) for Matt. I can't say much more because he reads here but I just have to give a fair warning that the reviews on the second gift are absolutely hilarious and sold me immediately.

Also had to share this Moscow Mule gift basket I did one year for Valentine's Day. I think this has been one of Matt's favorite gifts! This kit is really so easy to put together too. In a basket I threw in some Tito's vodka, a ginger beer, a lime and a copper mug!

Lastly, since Valentine's Day is all about LOVE I have to share my most favorite gift -- The Meaning of Marriage! Matt and I love this book and it was such a good read for us!

 Want more guy gift ideas? Check out this post!   PS - I haven't even though about gifts for the kids. Think they'll notice if we skip this year? Ha!

White Chocolate Funfetti (Valentine) Muddy Buddies

The annual Valentine Bake Sale at the kiddos' school is tomorrow. Last year I blew off the bake sale (but NOT the year before) so I felt I needed to contribute this time. Caroline insists on helping in the kitchen these days so picking a recipe which calls for two different powders wasn't the smartest decision I've ever made. I guess my floors needed a little pine sol anyway...

Also, I never know what to call this treat -- muddy buddies or puppy chow? What is the difference?

I replaced half my usual powdered sugar with funfetti cake mix and oh-my-gosh why haven't I done this before???? And then to top off the goodness I tossed in a bag of Valentine M&Ms, which thankfully wasn't as difficult to find as Halloween m&ms (remember this? I was hoping you wouldn't!).

Caroline took all the recipe steps very seriously and only licked her fingers 239430543 times (sorry, bake sale buyers!)! I kid. I kid.

After we bagged up all the treats I asked Caroline how we should price them for the bake sale and without hesitation she declared $9 (each). If I hadn't already embarrassed myself by grossly overpricing my bake sale treats previously, I may have considered it.

White Chocolate Funfetti Valentine Muddy Buddies

Ingredients

1 box (13.5 oz) Rice Chex Cereal
1 12 oz bag white chocolate chips
1 tsp coconut oil or margarine

½ cup Funfetti cake mix
½ cup powdered sugar
m&ms (optional)

Instructions
1. In a large bowl mix together the powdered sugar and cake mix. Divide between two gallon ziploc bags.

2. Pour box of cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
3. In a microwave safe bowl place chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave on high for 45 seconds and stir until smooth. If not completely melted microwave in 15 sec intervals until melted and smooth.
4. Pour the melted chocolate over the chex and stir to coat evenly.

5. Add the cereal mixture evenly between the gallon bags and shake to coat completely.

6. Once dry (about 30 minutes) top with M&Ms.

And because we really, really, really love our teachers, we bagged up some treats separately for them. I hope the Bake Sale committee doesn't mind the $54 loss in profits...

Five on Friday!

Another insane week y'all. Sorry for scraping up some photos from my phone but this is all I've got...

one. I snapped this picture on our way out the door for church last Sunday. Thomas is wearing 9 month pants because he's outgrown all of his non-jeans church clothes. I can't keep up with clothes and shoes for these kiddos. They've almost outgrown their entire winter wardrobe but I can't bring myself to buy more cold weather clothes with spring right around the corner! They are growing like weeds!

two. One of the kiddo's teachers is going through a difficult time, so in lieu of a card we brought her a jar of Chocolate Hugs and attached a note. With Valentines Day around the corner I wanted to share this idea because it could also serve as a cute but low effort (and inexpensive) teacher v-day gift.

 

three. Last weekend Matt and I snuck away for our first date night of the year. We decided to try a new place for Restaurant Week and decided to go with Fran's Filling Station. This was probably the best Restaurant Week experience we've ever had -- the food was delicious, the service was excellent and it was a great deal too! All 6 courses were amazing but I still can't stop thinking about the bacon wrapped tater tots.

four. Matt is very opinionated about the candles we burn in the house so I had to share the Endless Weekend 3-wick from B&BW which is his (and my) new favorite. It makes our home smell so fresh and clean despite the piles of dirty clothes, full diaper pails and crackers smushed throughout the house. The soap is pretty darn awesome too.

five.  Thank goodness for HelloFresh otherwise we would have lived off of cereal this week. Our favorite meal of the week was the Rapid Beef Stir-Fry (because, um, RAPID!!), but I'm sharing my second favorite because it's a simple and inexpensive meal you can easily create at home -- Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos. This is such a delicious twist on taco night! The avocado crema is insanely good and I loved how the sweet potatoes are glazed with honey!!! Make these tacos next week and thank me later!

**Want to try HelloFresh? Use promo code MG8GKD for $40 off your first box!