What To Buy During The Valentines Day Clearance Sales

I love deals and buying things to use in the future. So, After the kids were off to school on Tuesday I headed out to see what I could find in the Valentines day clearance sales - there are so many great buys and ways to use these deals beyond Valentines day.

I went to Target, Walgreen's , Fred Meyers and Big Lots – try your local Big Box stores, Drug Stores and grocery stores even department stores for more great clearance deals.

Here is what I found and what to look for:

1. Gift Wrap – perfect for to wrapping any upcoming birthday party gifts. You can pick up wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift bags , party bags etc

2. Groceries- I found Valentine funfetti Pillsbury Brownie Mix – it can be used with out the Valentine sprinkles in the future. Look for other groceries that are now being cleared out because they had a Valentine them to them that you can use still cake mixes, snack foods etc.

3. Paper goods – Valentine theme ones for next year, or non heart ones and solid colors for upcoming birthdays, mothers day, for 4^th of July and Christmas.

4. Baking items - from Pans to cupcake holders. I found: Cake Sprinkles for decorating cakes, cookies and cupcakes year round and a Heart shaped pan that I can use next Valentines day or for my teen daughters to use when making their friends Brownie pizzas or BIG cookies.

5. Table ware - Table cloths, runners, decorations, cups, glasses, serving bowls etc. I found Place mats that I will use next year during the month of February. Look for solid colors for year round use.

6. Decorations - Wreaths, signs, candles, holders etc. These can be put away for next Valentines day or possibly used for 4th of July of Christmas if appropriate.

7. Frames - Buy them in Solid colors red and pink for use around the house or other holidays 4^th of July , Easter, Christmas or next Valentines day.

8. Easter – Purchase Clarence candy and toys to use i your child's Easter basket and as plastic egg fillers.

9. Operation Christmas Child – A perfect time to find deals on items you can use next fall when filling your Operations Christmas Child show boxes . Stuffed bears, toys etc.

10. Don't Forget - t Craft items and Next years valentines Gifts, and class mate exchanges.

Last Minute Gift For Kids - Free Printable Valentine Coupons

In need of a last minute Valentine gift for your kids why not create This FREE Valentines Day printable coupon book that includes coupons for staying up late, pizza for dinner, and more, as well as a few blank ones you can fill in yourself.

Click here to print your free printable coupons from Tip Junkie.

Dippping Valentine Fun Treats

Make and Takes is dipping jelly hearts and fun Valentine marshmallows in chocolate. They’re easy to dip and fun to eat. Once you’ve been shot by these Valentine arrows, you’ll be in love . Click here for instructions.

4 Classmate Exchanges For Valentines Day

Have a Ball
Have a ball Classmate Valentines from Little Bit Funky. Click here for instructions.



Valentine Decorated Bottles
Valentine decorated Gatorade bottles from My Creative Cafe Click here for instructions.


Popping Valentines
Simple and fun popcorn classmate exchanges. Purchase enough microwave popcorn bags so each classmate gets one. Then Print off our FREE popcorn wrappers. Wrap popcorn bags using double sided tape. Then allow your child to personalize by addressing them to each child in their class. Click here to download your Popcorn wrappers


Double FUN

From: Family Fun

Materials

• Double-sided tape
• Individually wrapped treats

• Card stock
• Marker

Instructions

1. Using double-sided tape, secure one end of 2 individually wrapped treats inside a piece of folded card stock.
   

2. Write your message with marker on the outer flap.
   Suggested Messages
   "We're two of a kind!"
   "You've met your match!"
   "You're two cute."

Free Valentines Day Cards With Free Tokens From Chuck E. Cheese's

Free Chuck E. Cheese's Classmate Cards - Nothing says "I love you" like Valentine's Day Cards that are redeemable for 5 free tokens. Print and share these cards with your kid's classmates and friends.

For your free Valentines click - Printable Valentine’s Day Cards.

5 Games For Valentines Day Celebrating

This Valentines Day create a family game night with one of these 5 fun games or you can use them in your child's class room during their celebrations.

Valentine Yahtzee
from: The Idea Room

My kids love a good game a Yahtzee and now The Idea Room has created a fun Valentine Yahtzee game you can make for Valentines day fun
Click here for complete instructions.


Valentine Bingo
from: Tip Junkie

Bingo is an all time favorite game for kids and now Tip Junkie has created a fun Valentine version of Bingo. Click here for your free printables.


Spin the Bottle
from: Happy Home Fairy

– Not what you think! Wayyyy better than that version you played in middle school! Play the game as a family, but change the rules… Whenever the bottle points to someone, the spinner must say something nice about that person. Then they can give that person a Hershey’s Kiss. So sweet.

Valentine Memory Game
from: Tip Junkie
Challenge their memories this Valentines day with the Valentine memory came that Tip Junkie created. Click here to download your FREE memory game.




Heart Stacking

from: Amazing Moms
Heart Stacks – Making a tower of hearts isn’t as easy as you think! Buy a few bags of small conversation hearts. The object of the game is to build the tallest tower in an allotted amount of time (like 30 seconds). When the time is up, the players counts their hearts to see who is the winner. This is so much fun!

MORE Kid Valentine Crafts

Heart-shaped paper clips
from: How About Orange

A piece-of-cake Valentine project: bend regular paper clips into little heart shapes. These are jumbo clips she got in a multi-color pack at Target for about $1.50.

You could use them to leave love notes around. Or mark pages you like in magazines. Or hold tiny treat bags of candy shut. Or send a subtle message to the boss you have a crush on. Endless possibilities.

Egg-cellent Heart Art

from: A Little Nut http://bit.ly/ggcO5C

It’s an easy-to-make project that shows kids that trash can really turn into a treasured art piece.

What you’ll need: 1 cardboard egg carton, red paint, paint brushes, red poster board, scissors, glue and a frame

How to make it: Cut the egg holders out of the carton.Then, trim three-quarters off the top of each holder and paint them red. Once they’re dry, glue them with the open sides down into a heart shape on the poster board. Place the craft inside a simple frame and hang on your kid’s wall.

Why your kids will love it: The kids will enjoy using real paint instead of the runny water colors they normally use.

Valentine Jelly Pops- Kid Favorite

Valentine Jelly Pops

A fun gelatin treat for kid's valentine's parties, made with flavored gelatin, yogurt, and sweetened condensed milk.

Click here for recipe from Tablespoon.com

Gifts Kids Can Make For Valentines Day Giving

Thumbprint Valentine Day Cards

Even the littlest ones will love to make this thumbprint card — almost as much as Dad, Grandma and others will love to receive them. Click here to get complete instructions from Babble.com.


Valentine Conversation Magnets

You know those messages like “Be Mine” found on candy hearts? Well now you can put them on
the fridge! Click here to get complete instructions from Babble.com


Valentine Handprint Art

And don't forget the Perfect Valentines day Handprint art perfect for giving we showed you last week here at 24/7 MOMS. Click here for complete instructions.

Valentine Family Mail Boxes

everyone loves mail especially when it is words of love and encouragement. Create family mail boxes and then send each other love letters of kindness and encouragement

I found these cute family mail boxes over at Happy Home Fairy. Click here to see complete instructions.

Husbands Date Night Book For Valentines Day

Racking your brain as to what creative gift you cane give to your Husband this coming Valentines day? Oopsey Daisy created a fun Date Night book that you can even download and print for free to create your own Date night book for giving.

Click here to get your free printable Date Night book.

Hearts for Breakfast - 3 Recipes For Valentines Day

Sweetheart rolls
by Betty Crocker

A pinch and a poke create the fun heart shape in quick rolls rolled with a sweet raspberry filling.

Ingredients:

Rolls

4 1/2	cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 1/3	cups milk
1/4	teaspoon almond extract
2	tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1	package (4-serving size) raspberry- or strawberry-flavored gelatin (not sugar-free)

Powdered Sugar Icing

2	cups powdered sugar
2	to 3 tablespoons milk or water
1	teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Grease cookie sheet with shortening or cooking spray. In large bowl, stir Bisquick mix, 1 1/3 cups milk and the almond extract until soft dough forms. On surface generously dusted with Bisquick mix, gently roll dough in Bisquick to coat. Shape into a ball; knead 10 times.
2. Divide dough in half. Roll or pat each half into 12x7-inch rectangle. Spread 1 tablespoon of the butter over each rectangle. Sprinkle half of the gelatin over each rectangle; spread evenly with back of spoon. Roll up each rectangle tightly, beginning at 12-inch side. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Cut each roll into 12 (1-inch) slices. Place on cookie sheet. To make heart shape, pinch one side of slice to form sharp point; make deep indentation in opposite side of dough with knife to make top of heart.
3. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Meanwhile, mix icing ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Remove rolls from cookie sheet to cooling rack; spread icing over warm rolls.

Sweet Hugs ans Kisses
from Betty Crocker

Surprise your family with a special treat that says "I love you"!

Ingredients:

2	cups Original Bisquick® mix
1/3	cup milk
2	tablespoons granulated sugar
1	egg
1/4	cup butter or margarine, melted
	Granulated sugar or colored sugar, if desired

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Stir Bisquick mix, milk, 2 tablespoons sugar and the egg in medium bowl until soft dough forms. Place dough on surface generously dusted with Bisquick mix; gently roll in Bisquick mix to coat. Shape into a ball; knead 5 times.
2. Roll or pat dough into 6 1/2-inch square, 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into 12 strips. Shape 6 strips into circles to make O shapes; pinch ends to secure. Cut remaining 6 strips crosswise in half; crisscross pairs of strips to make X shapes. (Or use X- and O-shaped cookie cutters dipped in Bisquick mix.) Place hugs and kisses on ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Immediately brush with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Serve warm.

Heart Shaped Blueberry Pancakes
from: Betty Crocker

Blueberry pancakes can be delicious and "love-ly" with easy heart shaping.

Ingredients:

1	cup Bisquick Heart Smart® mix
2/3	cup fat-free (skim) milk
2	tablespoons fat-free egg product or 1 egg white
3/4	cup frozen blueberries, thawed, drained

Directions:

1. Heat griddle or skillet over medium-high heat or to 375°F; grease with vegetable oil or shortening.
2. In medium bowl, stir all ingredients except blueberries until blended. Gently stir in blueberries.
3. Pour batter by slightly less than 1/4 cupfuls into heart shapes onto hot griddle. Cook until bubbles break on surface. Turn; cook until golden.

Two Kid Friendly Valentine Crafts

Get ready for Valentines day with two simple decorating ideas that we also featured on our recent 24/7 MOMS Valentines day webcast.


Valentine Cones
Supplies Needed:
*Styrofoam or Cardboard cones (dollar tree, or any craft stores carry them)
*(Red/Pink felt (you can buy the sheets of felt at craft stores for under a dollar)
Decorations:
-Use beads, sequins and flat head pins to create a sparkly, elegant cone
-Use Foam Heart stickers and Ribbon for that fun Valentine look. (using hot glue.. even for the stickers)


Valentine Frames
Supplies Needed:
*Inexpensive wood frames (got mine at Dollar Tree... most craft stores have them)
*Craft paint
*Foam Valentine Stickers (got mine at Joanns) or sticker gems
*Printed pink or red paper
Directions:
- Paint frames... you can sprinkle on glitter after last coat or by glitter craft paint
- Put on Valentine foam stickers
- Put fun Valentine paper inside the frame... then you can add a picture in the middle of it or a Valentine saying

Buckets of Love For Giving

Simple gift or party favor created from the Dollar section.

Supplies Needed:

Valentine Tin bucket
1 Package Valentine pencils
1 Package Valentine suckers
1 bag shredded paper confetti in Valentine colors
1 Styrofoam ball or cone
Valentines day Tag - Free by clicking here.

Directions:

Place Styrofoam ball or cone (cut to size) into tin pail
Arrange pencils and suckers in Styrofoam by sticking them in various places
fill in with the shredded paper confetti
Print off Valentines day tag - place in bucket

Now you are ready to give a sweet inexpensive Valentines Day gift.

Chocolate Heart Peanut Butter Cookies

from: Betty Crocker

Chocolate and peanut butter marry in a favorite cookie combo. Make the classic easier with an easy-mix cookie mix.

Ingredients:

1	pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® peanut butter cookie mix
3	tablespoons vegetable oil
1	tablespoon water
1	egg
2	tablespoons sugar
36	heart-shaped milk chocolate candies

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, oil, water and egg until dough forms.
2. Shape dough into 36 (1-inch) balls; roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately press chocolate candy into top of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 20 minutes, before storing in tightly covered container.

Free 24/7 MOMS Valentine Prinatbles

24/7 MOMS has created fun and festive free Valnentine printables.


Popcorn wrappers to create classmate exchanges.
Click here to download your FREE popcorn wrappers





Bag Toppers to place on snack or sandwich size bags. Fill with Valentine treats and give as classmate exchange or party favors.

Click here to download your FREE Valentine bag toppers.




Valentine Tags to use on gifts, treats etc.

Click here to print your FREE Valentine tags.





Sweet Valentine candy bar wrappers make sweet gifts, party favors or classmate exchanges.

Click here to download your free candy bar wrappers.



I Love You Because....... Print these FREE printables and use as daily countdown to give your kids announcing a fun activity or use as daily reminders of why you love your family members etc.

Click here to download your FREE I love you cards #1 - #8
Click here to download your FREE I love you cards #9 - #14

McDonalds Valentines Day Coupon Booklets For $1

Participating Mc Donalds are selling a Valentines Day edition of their $1 coupon booklets available.

You pay $1 for the booklet and will get 12 coupons:

3 - Free Hamburgers
3 – Free Small Cones
3 – Free Apple Dippers
3 – Free Apple Juice or Milk Jugs

This booklet expires May 15, 2011. You can use one coupon item per child per visit.

They would be fun to include in kids valentines cards.

Valentine Hand Prints For Framing

Kids + Paint = Perfect Gift For Dad

Supplies:
Picture frame ( desired size)
Poster Board
Red Paint
Pen or Pencil
Love You -die cut

Directions:

-Cut Poster board to fit your picture frame.

-Decide where your child's hand prints will fit.

-Paint your childs hands red - and one at a time have them place their painted hand on the poster board on the area that you choose.

- Allow hand prints to dry.

- Once dry have children write a message to dad under their hand prints.

- Glue the Love you die cut on to the poster board.

-Once all steps are completed place into frame.

This also make a fun gift for Grandparents.

Valentine Chex Mix

from Betty Crocker

Red, white and pink make a lovely Chex® mix, especially when it's ready in just 30 minutes!

Ingredients:

9	cups Rice Chex® cereal (gluten free)
1	cup white vanilla baking chips
1/2	cup peanut butter
1/4	cup butter or margarine
3/4	cup powdered sugar
1/2	cup red, white and pink candy-coated chocolate candies
1/4	cup red or pink jimmies sprinkles

Directions:

1. In large bowl, place cereal. In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
2. Place 1/2 of the cereal mixture in 1-gallon food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, stir candies and sprinkles into remaining cereal mixture. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.
4. In serving bowl, mix both cereal mixtures. Store in airtight container.

FREE Valentine Printables - Cards, Candy Bar Wrappers, Tags and more

Its Feb 2nd and the countdown to Valentines day is happening in my home - We celebrated day 1 with RED Jell-O and tonight we will celebrate day 2 with sparkling apple cider during our dinner. We have 12 more days of fun to celebrate and I found some great FREEBIE printables to help me with my Valentine celebrations this year.

Post-it Love Note Boxes by Becky Higgins - These make a great Valentine tradition for your family as well as great gifts for giving. For complete instructions and Free printables click here.

Be Mine Candy tags and Bag toppers From Moms By Heart - These are great for class mate exchanges, party favors and celebration gifts for your kids. Click here to get your free printables.

Lunch box Valentine notes by Pep To Girl - These are perfect for placing in your child's lunch or handing out as class mate exchanges. Click here to Print your FREE notes.

Bear sucker Class Mate Exchanges from Skip To My Lou- Buy inexpensive heart or flat suckers, print these adorable bear cards and create a fun class mate exchange for your kids. Click here to get your FREE Bear printable.

Bag toppers from Glorious Treats - Create your own classmate treat bags or party favors with these bag toppers. Click here for FREE printable.

1 Printable 5 Valentine Fun Ideas from it is what it is blog - Create Valentine framed art, party favors, candy bar wrappers and more with his one FREE printable. Click here to print your free valentine printable.

Party Pack from It's Always A Party At The Parkers- Class treat bags, Awesome froggie cupcake toppers, cupcake wraps, a sweet heart shaped tic-tac-toe game to use as a favor for friends, and a ziploc sized favor bag topper, too. So be sure to grab your set now click here and DOWNLOAD HERE