4. Repeat process for each cookie. (You will only need to coat mould with cooking spray once, but you will have to re-sugar mould for each cookie.)

If you don’t have a cookie mold, on a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make your cookies. Use a plastic drinking straw to make a hole in top of each cookie. Sprinkle tops with sugar. Place on a greased cookie sheet.

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake all chilled cookies for about 10 minutes, until golden. Cool completely.

6. Tie a 9-inch piece of satin ribbon through hole of each cookie. On a tag, attach your special message or Valentine wish.

Instead of store bought Valentines, encourage your child to make a gift that will fill him with pride and accomplishment.

You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, free of charge, provided that each article is: 1. Printed in its full form with no changes 2. Includes an active link 3. A courtesy copy of your publication is sent to above contact 4. And following byline appears at bottom of each article: About Authors: Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes are co-authors of award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out their website that's jam packed with family ideas, visit To subscribe to their online newsletter, go to

10. Help your kids write a letter to a family member who lives far away. Write first few lines of a story and instruct recipient to write next, and then return letter. Your story can continue indefinitely.

This year, instead of store bought Valentines, give gift of time spent together.

What special Valentine tradition does your family share? Please let us know. Contact us at info@togetherparenting.com

You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, free of charge, provided that each article is: 1. Printed in its full form with no changes 2. Includes an active link 3. A courtesy copy of your publication is sent to above contact 4. And following byline appears at bottom of each article: About Authors: Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes are co-authors of award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out their website that's jam packed with family ideas, visit To subscribe to their online newsletter, go to