Cheri Strange, Christian Speaker and Author

If you are looking for ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your children or grandchildren, you might think about hosting an afternoon Valentine’s party. While all the kids in our neighborhood were celebrating the holiday with school parties, my girls sat at home with sad looks on their faces, longing to participate. Since they were homeschooled and we were building relationships with the families in the neighborhood, I decided to host a Valentine’s Party. That first party forged the way to more events in the seasons that followed, providing time for relationships, celebrations, and ministry. It may be just the idea to spark your own thinking.

I schedule a two hour block of time on the Friday closest to the 14^th. The girls help make invitations for the children to come after school.  After school seems to be the best time because it gives other moms and dads a short break and enables us to include all ages of kids. Because I want to redeem the time, I only buy supplies and select activities that are focused on the love of Jesus. There are really cute and inexpensive items available from retailers like Hobby Lobby, Christian book stores, and Oriental Trading Company. Even kids who are not from a religious background don’t seem to mind.  

Generally, I begin with a variety of Valentine snacks and a craft – something that would appeal to girls as well as boys. Then we would do some free play, followed by a couple of organized games. Many times the children enjoy this part of the party so much I don’t need to do anything else. However, there are short videos that carry a Valentine’s theme with a Christian bent that would be appropriate toward the end of the party after the energy is gone and they await parent’s arrival.

            Why all the fuss? Because we live in a world filled with lost people who often live across the street from us. Because many of us live lives of isolation, short on friendships; and so do the children. A Valentine’s Afterschool Party gives me the opportunity to build relationships with the parents and the kids. They cannot see Jesus in me if all they see is me walking to the mailbox and getting in and out of my car. If I want to really live my life where God has planted me, I need to capitalize on opportunities that present themselves, even if it’s just those found on the calendar.

Think about your current situation. Do you need to be more involved with those you live around? Are there people you do not know within spitting distance of your front door? Are you in need of more friends? Maybe you should try some variation of the after school Valentine’s Party? Maybe, instead, you will take a widowed neighbor a special treat, or host a tea – a marshmallow roast – or something more geared for teens. Let your mind begin thinking of what YOU could do to engage within your surroundings to bring the Gospel to the world, for that is why you and I are there…