Is ignoring Valentine’s Day an old person thing?

I’m asking because I basically ignore Valentine’s Day. And I don’t think I have always been this way. I have vague memories of gifts and cards and things, but they are from so long ago that they actually play in black-and-white in my mind.

I want to be fun, I really do. But gosh dang it if being a grown up isn’t completely exhausting.

Valentine’s Day has turned into being about the kids. How has that even happened? One minute I was shopping at Victoria’s Secret and planning classy dates to Red Lobster (those biscuits, OMG) and then I blinked and ten years have passed. And I have found myself overwhelmed by preschool Valentines options and worrying what to buy my son’s fifth grade teacher.

Have you taken a walk down Target’s Valentine’s section lately? Every cartoon character ever created has vomited pink and red hearts. Do I go with the Minions? Or the Ninja Turtles? What do kids even DO with these Valentines once they go home? It all just feels like an excuse to stress grown ups out, and I’m not happy about it.

So obviously, no. I have not bought my husband a thing. I’ve bought gifts for the kids, for their teachers, and carefully packed goodie bags for their classmates. I have stocked up on Conversation Hearts for the candy jars and have prepared treats for my blog. But I have not actually done a thing for the man I love the very most in this world, and at this point, I’m too exhausted to even think about shopping.

What I am proposing is this: a home cooked meal (grilled cheese? It all counts. You’re at home, you cooked it, the end) and a cozy drink after the kiddos blessed bedtime. Might I suggest this spiked Nutella hot chocolate? Frangelico and marshmallow vodka add just the right kick to this creamy, comforting cup of chocolate.

If this isn’t romantic, then I don’t know what is.

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Spiked Nutella Hot Cocoa Recipe

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Ingredients

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup nutella
• 3 cups half and half
• 2/3 cup frangelico
• 1/2 cup marshmallow vodka

Directions

1. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, whisk together sugar, cocoa, and salt.
2. Add hot water and whisk until smooth.
3. Whisk mixture occasionally until it begins to boil. 
4. Once boiling, whisk mixture constantly for two minutes.
5. Add Nutella, half and half, Frangelico and Marshmallow Vodka.
6. Whisk occasionally until heated through – do not boil. 
7. Pour into mugs and serve.

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Source: Very heavily adapted from Hershey.