Valentine’s Day serves two purposes. First, it gives spouses and significant others an opportunity to show their love in a special way. Second, it’s yet another opportunity for mothers or caregivers to purchase or make valentines with children and fill them with candy. But then there’s a third purpose, to challenge the mothers of boys to share the holiday when clearly there is no interest in lace doilies and heart stickers. It is this issue that I wish to address.
As the mother of 5 boys and a lover of all holidays, Valentine’s Day has offered a real challenge over the years. How can you acknowledge and participate in Valentine’s Day while at the same time not doing anything? When my boys were little, they were ok with buying Valentines (creating your own ended with preschool) because there was always candy involved. But as they got older, even the candy wasn’t enough of an incentive to wrap up Sponge Bob around a Krabby Pattie. And, while I respected their choices, I just couldn’t let the holiday go. So I came up with my own Valentine’s Day celebration which in 8 years, no one has opposed.
Needless to say, it focuses on food! A week or so before the holiday, I indulge myself by purchasing this year’s festive Valentine’s Day tableware. Then I prepare the “traditional” Valentine’s Day dinner which is, you guessed it, a red meal. It includes:
- Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce
- Large green salad with beets (they’re reddish in color)
- Big bowl of wonderfully ripe, whole strawberries
- Raspberry jello made in a heart shaped mold
- Delicious heart shaped sugar cookies with red and/or pink sprinkles (see recipe below)
- And to drink, pink lemonade of course
Now, if you knew the ages of my boys you would be shocked to discover that they actually look forward to this meal. It’s silly yes, but they know I have fun doing it and they love to eat so it’s a win-win for everyone. And while I don’t give them handmade Valentine’s with smelly stickers on them anymore, they do still receive a special candy treat, wrapped up in something red – a new sweatshirt, basketball shorts, socks or boxers. And as “grown-up” as those boys are, they still love it!
Sour Cream Sugar Cookies for Valentine’s Day
Ingredients
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ cup sour cream
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
Additional colored sugar for decorating.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.
Beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add 1 cup of sugar and beat again. Add the egg and vanilla and beat again. Stir in the sour cream. Stir together the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder, stir into the dough. Cover and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
Working with half of the dough, roll out the dough 3/16 inch thick. Cut dough with a heart shaped cookie cutter and place on the baking sheets leaving 1 1/2 inches between them.
Sprinkle cookies lightly and evenly with colored sugar.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until browned on the edges. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
Yield 2 dozen, 3 1/2 inch cookies.
Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
- Valentine's Day Party Ideas from Party411.com
- Valentine's Day Games For Couples
- History of Valentine's Day
- Romantic Valentine's Day Tips and Suggestions
Comments