Valentine Pretzels
If I have learned anything in the past 2 years, it’s to stop waiting to celebrate. I don’t mean this in a deep, life-is-too-short way. I just got tired of waiting until the next vaccine or the next wave or the next whatever to have something to look forward to.
I’m also borderline obsessed with coming up with family traditions that will make our kids want to come home once they’ve moved on into young adulthood. Is that a little controlling? Sure. Does it take away from the joy of the moment because I’m so focused on doing it right and guaranteeing our future? Oh, absolutely. BUT, it does give me some good ideas that I can now share with you! Family manipulation optional.
So last winter I decided to start creating intentional moments of celebration in our house. It was not elaborate or expensive but it was meaningful to me. It gave us something to look forward to in the midst of gray skies and never-ending slush.
Have you been feeling the winter blahs? Maybe some easy celebrations could add a little bit of fun into your household. Here are some ideas to get you thinking.
I truly could not be less interested in the game of football but football food? I can get on board. We had a snack dinner at the coffee table while flipping back and forth between the Super Bowl and Puppy Bowl.
The Sunday morning before Valentine’s Day, we had a special breakfast. I bought canned cinnamon rolls, then unrolled them and shaped them into hearts. After baking, add a little red food coloring to the frosting, and ta-da! A special Valentine’s breakfast that marks the moment without taking all of the free time.
For St. Patrick’s Day, we made pancakes from a box and mixed in green food coloring and Lucky Charms to the batter.
And just like that, you’ve made it to spring!
One of the biggest hits from last winter’s simple celebrations was Valentine pretzels. These little treats gave us a fun activity - it felt like decorating cookies at Christmas - with little to no effort.
Valentine Pretzels
Ingredients
Pretzel rods
Chocolate candy melts (milk, dark, white)
Red and pink sprinkles
Conversation hearts
Mini marshmallows
Directions
Lay out a station for each child, including a large piece of wax paper and small dishes of sprinkles, candy, and marshmallows.
Melt the chocolate chips or candy melts. If microwaving, use the defrost or 50% power mode. Start with 30 seconds, then stir, and continue heating in 10-second intervals until smooth and liquid.
Holding a pretzel rod over the bowl of melted chocolate, spoon a thin layer over 3/4 of the pretzel. Place it down on the wax paper and have fun decorating. They dry quickly, so get right down to work.
Allow to dry and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
