Raddish Kids, the popular kids culinary kit, is offering families free Cupid-themed cooking kits that they can gift to someone special, because it’s way more rad to share free food kits than Covid. And let’s be honest––they’re a lot cooler than that box of Valentine’s Day cards you keep meaning to pick up at the store (but forgetting).
Twenty thousand kits will be available for families to gift at raddishkids.com/radlove at 10 a.m. PST on Feb. 4th. For every kit gifted, Raddish will donate $1 to World Central Kitchen, an organization dedicated to nourishing communities in times of crisis and beyond.
Raddish Kids is no stranger to mixing it up with a little love. When schools closed in 2020, Raddish gave away 50,000 cooking kits to families in an effort to provide engaging activities for children. And, this month’s free giftable experience is part of Raddish Kids’ “Food is Love” campaign, which gives you access to a digital calendar with activities and recipes your kids can make to show love and kindness throughout the month. Even to their siblings.
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Sweeten up your Valentine’s Day by ordering fresh roses on Amazon Prime for pronto delivery. Whether you’re looking to make a statement with a bodacious bouquet or a single stem, Amazon has once again found a way to make our lives simpler.
Snowstorm? Pandemic? Toddlers? Not this year. Thanks to Amazon Prime’s rose delivery, absolutely nothing should stand between you and the floral expression of love you crave (or that you crave to give, but that you’ve possibly forgotten to order weeks in advance).
It’s true. There’s a place called Valentine, Nebraska, and they are leaning into it. This year, you can pop all of your addressed and stamped Valentines cards into an envelope and send it to the Chamber of Commerce in Valentine, Nebraska (address, below). They’ll postmark your cards for you and mail them to their final destination, bearing a postage mark from Valentine, NE. You’ll amaze and impress your friends, your kids (or your kids’ classmates), and all of your secret lovers.
Be sure your handwritten letters get to Cupid by February 5th to ensure a February 14th delivery, and don’t forget to mist your stationary with perfume, before you send it.
Send an envelope with the stamped mail you want Cupid to postmark for you to:
Cupid’s Mailbox
P.O. Box 201
Valentine, NE 69201
Your baby may not remember this first Valentine’s Day, but that’s no reason not to go big with hearts and sweets. Read on for outfits, activities, sweets and photo ops to make this holiday memorable. You’ll looooove how cute your photos come out.
Buy a special outfit for the big day, like this heart-printed bodysuit from Primary. It's made from 100% combed cotton slub, with snaps on the shoulder seam for easy on/off. Visit Primary's Heart Shop for this and other clothing items in lovely prints and colors.
If your baby is eating solids (or just gumming them), use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to make a sweet treat for you to share. From watermelon to toast or lasagna noodles, there are lots of foods you can cut into cute shapes. For something even more decadent, send away for Sugarwish cookies. The company offers 20+ cookie flavors, including keto-friendly, vegan and gluten-free options.
Advent calendars aren't just for Christmas anymore! Build up excitement for Valentine's Day with Mickey Mouse and this cotton canvas and felt calendar that has pockets to hold small gifts for the 14 days leading up to the big one. Fill each pocket with a love note, treat or toy, or keep it simple and just move the Mickey ears to the correct day in the countdown. Available at Pottery Barn Kids, $49.
4. Decorate with Love
Instagram-ready! Decorate with items baby will love to play with, like these wood blocks ($45) that spell out LOVE, HUGS, KISS and XOXO.
Books you and your child will love: My Little Lovebug ($35), a personalized book featuring your child's face and name with lots of sweet sentiments and cute animal images. Kisses, Kisses, Up & Down ($7, paperback) is an interactive read that'll have you giving your baby kisses on their nose, toes, belly, chin and more. I Love You Stinky Face ($7, paperback) is a sweet story about the unconditional love a mother has for her child.
Kiss your baby while wearing bright red or pink lipstick for an Instagram-winning photo. Kiley from the Under the Pear Tree blog used the app PicMonkey to add some artistic flair for this memorable photo. Pro tip: Don't use long-wearing lipstick.
7. Make Cupid Cupcakes
These red velvet cupcakes from Bakerella feature cupid arrows attached to a 6-inch lollipop stick. You'll find both the arrow printables and cupcake recipe on the Bakerella website.
8. Write Love Letters to Your Baby
Your child (and your future self) will thank you for celebrating this Valentine's Day by professing your love to your mini-sweetheart. The time capsule Letters to My Baby ($13) contains 12 fold-and-mail letters so you can continue on your tradition every Valentine's Day for years to come.
Remember how tiny baby's hands are with a keepsake you can display for Valentine's Day or all year round. This sweet heart is from Mitts, Piggys and Paws. You send them an impression of your child's hand in PlayDoh and they'll create a one-of-a-kind piece of art.
Hearts and stripes and everything nice decorate these muslin swaddles ($55 for 4) from Aden & Anais. The breathable, versatile and soft fabric surrounds your little one in comfy goodness and makes everybody who sees your baby smile. Lay them on the floor during during tummy time or cover part of the car seat on a sunny day for an afternoon snooze on the go.
Luckily for us, Santa really likes visiting Atlanta. Even if you missed the summer sign-up for his visit to Phipps or got word about the appointments at that private photographer’s studio a month too late, you still have plenty of time to load up your sleigh and head out for your one-on-one with The Big Guy. Keep reading for some creative and unique spots to catch Santa, below.
Capture holiday memories and visit Santa and his reindeer, Comet and Cupid, at Santa’s Cottage. Pictures with your camera are included with admission! Santa is scheduled every Thursday – Sunday from 6-9 p.m. Santa WILL NOT be there on November 28th.
Celebrate the Holiday Season in style at the Swan Coach House's Annual Santa Brunch. Santa will be in attendance with some special guests. Tickets include Brunch Buffet and time with Santa, and there will be a professional photographer on site for ordering pictures with Santa.
WINTER HOUSE is a new 16-day event where families can enjoy a welcoming, art-filled holiday experience that reflects our passion for arts education. Daily activities include an Artist Market, Mug & Ornament Glazing, Fire Pits & S'mores, Beer Garden & Library Wine Bar, and History Tours at 1 & 4 p.m. daily. Santa will be in the house on select days (usually the weekend) at varied times. Check the events schedule here to make sure you go when the Big Guy is there!
980 Briarcliff Rd. NE
Atlanta
404-872-5338
Online:callanwolde.org
Skip the malls, avoid the long lines, and come to Rhodes Hall for a fun, easy and enjoyable Santa experience. On weekends from November 20-December 12, 2021, the “castle on Peachtree” will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring personal appointments with Santa at Rhodes Hall. Purchase a digital image that will be emailed to you within 48 hours of your appointment. Enjoy a craft and the beautiful decorations on the inside of one of Atlanta's most iconic historic homes.
1516 Peachtree St. NW
Midtown
Online:georgiatrust.org
Enjoy a fancy St. Regis tradition of afternoon tea with Santa in the Astor Court. There will be tea, and Santa—of course—and a delectable assortment of cakes and small tea bites that will leave everyone happy and humming holly jolly tunes on the way home. Live music and a funny elf round out the experience for your little ones.
Kick off the holidays right with this cozy family brunch at Milton’s and a visit and photo with Santa! Santa Brunch Sundays this year will be on Dec. 5, 12, & 19 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and portraits with Santa are only available with brunch. Visits with Santa and photos will be taken before your brunch reservation.
800 Mayfield Rd.
Milton
770-817-0161
Online:miltonscuisine.com
Santa and his elves are so excited to see you! This year, you’ll find Santa in front of a beautiful Christmas backdrop at the Marietta Museum of History this season, with the beloved Hadley’s Photography team ready to capture your family’s memories. Or, register in advance for a 30-minute one-on-one with Santa and his elves for your entire family.
An intimate romantic dinner out while the kids are with a sitter may not be in the cards for you this year, but one thing that the pandemic can’t take away from Valentine’s Day: all the sweet candy. This year Americans are buying up candy like they did toilet paper, and estimates from CandyStore.com say spending on candy this year could potentially top $2 billion. But what exactly are Americans buying to satisfy that sweet tooth? Read on to find out the most popular Valentine’s Day candy by state and what candy trends to expect this year.
Curious what the top candy is by state? From M&M’s to heart-shaped boxes of chocolates check out 10 states below and then hop over to CandyStore.com for the full list or click the interactive map below:
Alabama: Candy necklaces
Alaska: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Arizona: M&M’s
Arkansas: Conversation hearts
California: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Colorado: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Connecticut: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Delaware: Hershey kisses
Florida: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Georgia: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates
Source: CandyStore.com. Trends to look out for, according to CandyStore.com
• Conversation heart candy will make a comeback in 2021
• M&M’s ranked #1 in both Oregon and North Dakota. This year expect this chocolatey favorite to spike in popularity.
• Cupid Corn’s popularity may be fading away but only time will tell.
Some interesting Valentine’s Day candy facts, from Candystore.com:
• 47% of people said they will buy themselves a box of chocolates this year.
• 58 million pounds of chocolate are bought during Valentine’s Day week.
• The peak selling period for conversation hearts is only 6 weeks long. Wow!
• It takes manufacturers 11 months to produce enough for those 6 weeks.
• Vodka infused with candy remained popular with conversation hearts last year.
• Children receive 39 percent of all Valentine’s Day candy and gifts.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Dunkin’! The fave donut brand brought back its limited time holiday menu—and it includes two delectable drinks.
Treat your sweetie, or yourself, to a Pink Velvet Macchiato or Mocha Macchiato on Valentine’s Day. The Pink Velvet Macchiato combines Dunkin’s espresso with a red velvet cake flavor. Add in hints of cream cheese icing flavor and a generous scoop of ice and this chilled drink is a beverage that will make you fall in love. Mocha Macchiato offers the combo of rich espresso and deep chocolate flavors.
According to Jill Nelson, Vice President, Marketing & Culinary at Dunkin’, “Dunkin’ is the perfect place for anyone to find the spirit of Valentine’s Day. With our gorgeous Pink Velvet and Mocha Macchiatos, joined together with our beloved heart-shaped donuts, we’re making it easy to treat yourself and bring a little love and sweetness to any way you choose to celebrate.”
Along with the two limited-edition drinks, Dunkin’ is also serving up a heart-shaped Brown Batter Donut and the Bavarian Kreme-filled, strawberry icing-topped Cupid’s Choice Donut.
Look for the Valentine’s Day menu in participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide through the end of February.
Ditch the chocolates and celebrate Valentine’s Day with a chilly treat. If Red Velvet is the way to your sweetie’s heart, then DQ has you covered. The ice cream chain is offering not one, but two delectable options this February.
DQ is bringing back its Red Velvet Cake Blizzard. This love in a cup features rich red velvet cake pieces, silky cream cheese icing and signature DQ vanilla soft serve. The February Blizzard of the month is an extra special treat this Valentine’s Day.
For those looking to surprise the whole family, the DQ Cupid Cake is the perfect Valentine’s Day treat for a family celebration of love. This heart-shaped Cupid Cake is made with a layer of Red Velvet Cake Blizzard Treat (with chocolatey red velvet cake pieces and cream cheese icing) and world-famous DQ vanilla soft serve.
Both the Red Velvet Cake Blizzard and the DQ Cupid Cake are available at participating DQ locations nationwide beginning Jan. 25.
It’s tough to plan a flawless date for that special valentine when allergies and asthma can get in the way. Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion. More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year, and about 26 million suffer from asthma. That means cupid’s bow is bound to hit someone who suffers from allergies or asthma.
Got Valentine’s Day covered this year? Remember to steer clear of anything that might cause your sweetheart to break out in hives, or worse yet, have a severe allergic reaction. Here are some tips from ACAAI to consider as you plan your romance.
Yum! But wait.
Most people know that those with peanut allergies can have severe allergic reactions to anything that nuts touch. But the most common food allergens also include eggs, milk, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy. If you’re baking or cooking for February 14th, make sure your sweetheart is okay with the ingredients. Remember to check all labels to ensure foods are safe for your child. Be aware that holiday candy may be manufactured in a different facility than their regular-sized versions or may use different ingredients.
If you’ll be dining out at a special restaurant—especially one you’ve never been to before—call ahead to make sure food allergies can be accommodated by the kitchen. You’ll be a romantic hero for the night.
Pass on the perfume.
Some people have a response to strong fragrances—think grandma’s perfume and your old uncle’s cologne. It is generally a reaction to odors created by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can cause headaches, sneezing, watery eyes and runny noses. If your loved one doesn’t wear perfume, it’s probably for a reason, and maybe that’s a gift you should avoid this year.
A Red Rose.
How romantic! Nothing says Valentine’s Day like red roses. And for those allergic to plant pollen, it turns out that roses and some other plants produce very little or no pollen. Other “allergy-friendly” plants include begonia, cactus, clematis, columbine, crocus, daffodil and geraniums.
You shouldn’t have! Really.
Make sure your sweetheart isn’t allergic to the metals contained in some jewelry, particularly nickel. Nickel is found in many metal products, such as jewelry, zippers and buttons. Even chrome-plated objects and 14K and 18K gold contain nickel that can irritate the skin if the gold gets moist.
Pucker up with care.
Believe it or not, there’s something called a “kissing allergy,” most commonly found in people who have food or medication allergies. Symptoms include swelling of the lips or throat, rash, hives, itching and wheezing. So what’s a lovebird to do? Allergists recommend that the non-allergic partner brush his or her teeth, rinse his or her mouth and avoid the offending food for 16 to 24 hours before smooching.
Whatever your choices for wooing your loved one this Valentine’s Day, make sure it’s a gift that’s safe and allergy-free.
Dr. Patel is an allergist in Pasadena California. She is board-certified in Allergy-Clinical Immunology and Pediatrics. She is the co-author of The Mommy MD guides to Twins Triplets and More! She understands that parenting is the hardest and most fulfilling job you can have. You can find her @TMommyMD.
You don’t have to cross the country to witness kitschy roadside Americana. The Bay Area hides a few treasures of its own, including a house designed after a sea creature and a museum dedicated to Bigfoot. When you are looking for something free to do this weekend with the kids, scroll through this list and plan your local road trip full of Bay Area roadside attractions from Sebastopol down to Santa Cruz!
San Francisco
Cupid's Span
Amber Guetebier
Right next to the Ferry Building you'll find the totally awesome, giant bow and arrow known as Cupid's Span. This 60-foot sculpture sits on a grassy spot that's fun for both picnics and Bay Bridge photo opps. Bonus: right next door is the home of SFFD's fire boats.
Location: The Embarcadero & Folsom Street, San Francisco
Take a picture of the fam in front of this pagoda-topped southern entrance to San Francisco’s iconic Chinatown. Then check out this story for more things to do in this oh-so-fun area of the city.
The hot dog and hamburger chain closed in 1986, but this seven-foot-tall fiberglass grinning dachshund mascot was moved to Sloat Avenue and now it’s a city landmark.
Despite Berkeley’s reputation for eccentricities, this structure looks more suited for Bikini Bottom, the underwater hometown of Spongebob. Built in 1995 and designed after an indestructible sea-dwelling microorganism called the tardigrade, Ojo del Sol (which means Eye of the Sun, but Fish House works just fine for most locals) was built by architect Eugene Tsui who specializes in biomimicry, the practice of applying the study of nature to human issues. Tsui claims the house is one of the world’s safest dwellings. Tsui also designs cool futuristic apparel that would be right at home in the closet of any Star Trek villain.
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure at this landfill-cum-anarchic artist hub full of fun sculptures and graffitt\ied decay. There’s a large wooden sculpture of a man riding a dragon, the concrete (and be careful — possibly unstable) Mad Mark’s Castle and much more.
Location: Foot of Buchanan St. (next to San Francisco Bay), Albany
Giant portrait of Ronald Reagan made out of jelly beans? Check. Jelly bean-shaped pizzas and burgers? Check. Bags of discounted Belly Flops jelly beans in odd shapes and sizes? Check check and check. The visitor center which includes the cafe, retail store and chocolate shoppe recently reopened to visitors, but there are no factory tours at this time.
Who’s a good mayor? Who’s a good mayor? Black lab Bosco is the only dog to ever serve as an American mayor. His term in the hamlet of Sunol lasted from 1981 until 1994 when Bosco crossed the rainbow bridge to eat t-bone steaks, liver treats and homework forever.
Muffler men are the smirking, larger-than-life roadside barkers that were manufactured en masse in the 1960s and 70s by SoCal-based International Fiberglass. Numerous characters were created, but they were all based on one mold. Over time, they have been passed down by successive businesses and co-opted to suit any setting. But wherever they go, they earn the collective affection of their community.
A Hayward hometown boy, Big Mike started out hawking car washes by brandishing a giant scrub brush. Big Don began life as The Missouri Cowboy from Boonesville, MO. Both were bought and lovingly restored by Bruce Kennedy of Bell Plastics. Bruce encourages visitors to stop by and snap a pic in front of the two benevolent giants. You can even take home a bobblehead replica of each character as a souvenir (the advantage of owning a plastics company). Come in October when Big Mike gets in the Halloween spirit by donning a black cloak, hatchet and demon skull.
Location: Bell Plastics, 2020 National Ave., Hayward
You can visit two other Bay Area muffler men at the following locations:
Riverbend Resort, 11820 River Rd, Forestville
Babe’s & Lightning Muffler, 808 The Alameda, San Jose
Peninsula/South Bay
Google Android Lawn Sculptures
Kathleen Mikulis
These fun sculptures of sweet treats represent the code names of Google’s different Android operating system versions, from Cupcake and Donut to Jelly Bean, Kit Kat and beyond. Unfortunately the sculptures aren’t in the best of shape now, but it’s still fun to poke your head through the honeycomb for a picture.
Discover this quirky attraction hidden in the redwood trees of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Are you *sure* you’re taller than your kids? That might not be the case at The Mystery Spot. Don’t forget a classic yellow and black bumper sticker when you leave. Public tours are currently being offered following COVID-19 guidelines, but there are some narrow areas where keeping six feet of social distance may prove difficult so be sure to wear your masks.
Location: 465 Mystery Spot Rd., Santa Cruz Online: mysteryspot.com
Bigfoot Discovery Museum
Garrick Ramirez
This museum (currently closed due to COVID-19) wears the love of its namesake furry cryptid proudly. There are Bigfoot videos, foot casts, a local sighting map, and more. Admission is free but a $2–5 donation is requested. There’s a nine-foot-tall Bigfoot sculpture in the back for a can’t-miss photo op.
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed.-Mon. for main museum. Location: 5497 Highway 9, Felton Online:bigfootdiscoveryproject.com
Winchester Mystery House
Winchester Mystery House
Visit this 19th century architectural marvel owned by Sarah Winchester, where a staircase leads to a ceiling and a door leads to a 15-foot drop to an outdoor garden. Did a psychic really instruct her to never stop building to help evade the spirits of those killed by her family’s Winchester rifles? Take the tour and find out. (Spoiler alert: The answer is . . . maybe?). The Sarah Winchester Garden Tour is available Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every week until further notice.
Here's a chance for San Franciscans to raise the rents in Silicon Valley. Built for a 1992 San Francisco Landscape and Design Show, the monumental Monopoly board is now a permanent exhibit in San Jose’s Discovery Meadow. Guinness World Records acknowledges the 930-square-foot board as the largest permanent outdoor version in the world (the qualifiers hint at a much larger board in Qatar). The designers made fun nods to local landmarks by subtitling the board's addresses. For example, Boardwalk is also known as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. And mind your ethics or you'll end up in the Santa Clara Department of Correction. Bring a group and rent the space: you'll roll jumbo dice while wearing giant thimble, wheelbarrow and Scottie dog hats.
You may be tempted to park at the Golden Gate Bridge Vista View Point next to Highway 101 to get your official Golden Gate Bridge photo (which is still a nice spot so don’t let us stop you). However, if you journey down the road along the Marin Headlands you can get that ideal woodsy shot. (Bonus! It’s less crowded.) For a little more effort (and your photographer lying low to the ground) you can get a picture of you jumping over the Golden Gate Bridge that everyone will think you Photoshopped even though you didn’t.
Location: Lots of great viewpoints along Conzelman Rd. in the Marin Headlands, Sausalito
Yoda and Indiana Jones Statues in Imagination Park
George Lucas donated Imagination Park along with these life-size statues of Yoda and Indiana Jones to commemorate the town where he began creating both movies. Tip: Nearby at 331 San Anselmo Ave. is where Lucas and his team created the entire Star Wars soundtrack.
Location: 541 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo
Recycled Art Characters by Patrick Amiot & Brigitte Laurent
It's impossible to drive through Sebastopol without spying the cartoonish, metal sculptures that line its streets. There’s a moped-riding moose, a hybrid car that’s half-truck and half-shark, and a retro spaceship rocketed by a robot that could easily be the cousin of Futurama’s Bender. That's just a tiny sampling of the massive collection of recycled artwork by self-styled folk artists Patrick Amiot and Brigitte Laurent that is displayed all over town. Patrick sculpts the scrap and Brigitte paints the pieces. At night many of the art pieces are lit up, which makes them even more arresting.
