
Valentine’s Day in a House of Seven
In our house, Valentine’s Day isn’t just a single-day event—it’s a two-week-long celebration filled with little acts of kindness. From February 1st to the 14th, we kick off our family Valentine’s tradition by picking a name from our special Valentine’s mailbox each morning. The rule? You have to do something nice for that person before dinnertime. Then, at dinner, we all go around the table, reveal who we had, and share what nice thing we did for them.
With five kids ranging from toddlers to teenagers, this tradition has turned into a mix of heartwarming moments and hilarious attempts at last-minute kindness. One day, it might be a sweet handwritten note left in a backpack; the next, it’s a stolen chore (yes, doing someone else’s dishes does count as an act of love in this house!). The toddlers usually get creative, handing out crayon-covered “love” notes, while the older kids lean toward inside jokes or small gestures like sharing their last piece of candy (which, let’s be real, is a major sacrifice).
And of course, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about the kids. Behrod and I have a tradition of our own—escaping to Disneyland for a day during the Valentine’s season. It’s a chance to step away from the everyday chaos and just enjoy each other’s company in one of our favorite places.

Funny story—about six years ago, we were taking a picture in front of Disneyland’s big Mickey heart display when my phone mysteriously disappeared. I figured it must have fallen out of my pocket or the stroller mid-photo, and of course, our oldest kiddo was absolutely devastated that it was lost. But Dad saved the day when he tracked it down at Disneyland’s Lost and Found—safe and sound! The only problem? When they asked me to describe the phone case, I completely blanked. No clue what color it was. No idea what type. So I just told them, “Well, if you turn it on, the screen cover is a picture of these three kids!” That, apparently, was enough proof of ownership. Lesson learned—if you ever lose your phone, at least try to remember what case you put on it!

What’s Trending for Valentine’s Day This Year?
At Wood Be Awesome Gifts, we’re always looking for fun and unique ways to make personalized gifts extra special, and this year, we’re loving our latest trend: stir sticks with people’s heads on them! Imagine making your morning coffee and stirring it with your significant other’s face—it’s hilarious, unexpected, and the perfect conversation starter.
We’re also bringing that same playful spirit to flower picks featuring people’s heads—because nothing says “I love you” like a bouquet of roses with your partner’s smiling face popping out of it! It’s a fun, lighthearted way to add a little humor to traditional Valentine’s gifts.
These have been so much fun to make, and I love seeing customers get creative with them—whether it’s their kids’ faces, their pets, or even a favorite celebrity (because, let’s be real, who wouldn’t want Ryan Reynolds stirring their coffee?).
Shop Face Stir Sticks - From $8.00


Mom Hacks: Surviving Valentine’s Day with a House Full of Kids
Valentine’s Day with five kids sounds sweet and sentimental, but let’s be real—it’s also a logistical challenge. Between classroom parties, finding time for a date night, and making sure no one feels left out, it can get overwhelming fast. So here are a few survival tips I’ve picked up along the way:
1. For the Toddlers: Pre-Made Love Notes to the Rescue
Toddlers love to “help,” but sometimes their version of help involves glue in places glue should never be. Instead of a full-on arts and crafts explosion, I print out cute little Valentine’s cards for them to color. That way, they feel like they’re making something special, but I’m not cleaning glitter out of the carpet for a week.
2. For the Teenagers: The Art of Low-Effort Participation
Let’s be honest—teens aren’t always super into family traditions. But if you keep it simple and low-pressure, they’ll usually play along (even if they pretend not to care). For us, that means after we put the little ones to bed, we have a family game night with the older kids once a week. Right now, we’re loving the card games Trash and Nertz—which can get way more competitive than you’d think! It’s a simple way to stay connected without forcing “family time” on them.
3. For the Moms: The Emergency Valentine’s Stash
Every year, at least one kid will inform me the night before that they need 30 Valentine’s cards and candy for their entire class. Instead of scrambling at 9 PM, I always order an extra pack of Valentine’s cards on Amazon, just in case. This is the link I bought this year! Amazon - 24 Sets Valentines Day Painting Cards for Kids
4. For the Overwhelmed Parents: Take the Shortcut and Don’t Feel Guilty
Store-bought cards? Totally fine. Chocolate from the clearance aisle? No shame. Ordering a heart-shaped pizza and calling it dinner? Absolutely. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect—it just has to be fun. And honestly, at this point in life, I am perfectly happy with just a movie in bed, lol.
Love is in the Chaos
At the end of the day, Valentine’s Day in our house isn’t about picture-perfect moments or extravagant gestures. It’s about small acts of love—whether it’s a handwritten note, a coffee stirred with your partner’s face, or a toddler handing you a crumpled-up Valentine covered in applesauce.
As a mom and small business owner, I love creating gifts that make people smile, but even more than that, I love the everyday moments of love and laughter that make up our crazy, beautiful life.
If you’re looking for a unique, personalized way to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, check out our newest collection at Wood Be Awesome Gifts—and don’t forget to stir your coffee with your loved one’s head this year!