Valentine’s Day Gift Swap

How to host a stress-free Valentine’s Day Gift Swap with your best gals. This post has been sponsored by MARS, Inc and American Greetings. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m a planner. I think I always have been on some level. My week is organized by Sunday evening and I know what I’ve got on my calendar for the foreseeable future. Well, because I’ve jotted it down in my agenda and in my digital calendar. Yet, I somehow always forget to plan ahead when it comes to holidays. More specifically, holidays like Valentine’s Day. Even though I often forget about Valentine’s Day, I love all the pinks and reds everywhere, and I love all the tasty chocolate that happens to come with it. However, I love all the l o v e most!

Remember when we’d pass out Valentine’s Day cards in school to all of our classmates? That festive card swap is one of my favorite classroom memories. Who doesn’t love getting cards filled with love?! So I’m saying, let’s bring that back! The kids shouldn’t have all the fun, right? Valentine’s Day isn’t just for sweethearts, it’s for celebrating friendship and love! This year, I’m celebrating with a festive Valentine’s Day Gift Swap with my gal pals (and I think you should, too).

Valentine’s Day Gift Swap with your Gal Pals

Hosting a Valentine’s Day gift swap doesn’t have to be taxing or stressful. You know I love a good one-stop shop experience, especially when it comes to prepping for holidays and events. I think that the whole running around to multiple stores to gather all the sips, snacks, and supplies is what’s most stressful about the planning process. Instead, here are three easy steps to take in planning your own Valentine’s Day Gift Swap.

1. Create a guest list and send out your invites. This is a low-key event, so even a festive calendar invite will do!
2. Write up your list of supplies, including custom sips, festive snacks, your Valentine’s Day card(s), and the gift you’ll be swapping!
3. Visit Walmart and get everything you need in one spot.

I went with the cutest puppy card yet from American Greetings – can you even resist a puppy card? I can’t. I know I can’t. And with no-stress prep in mind, I also picked up a Dove® Milk Chocolate Heart Tin to double as a gift and as one of our Valentine’s Day Gift Swap snacks! 

Sweet & Salty Valentine’s Day Snacks

When I’m hosting a low-key event, I like to pick up one premade snack and then make one special snack at home. Because I wasn’t cooking up a full meal, I decided to grab Valentine’s Day themed sugar cookies (I’ll never tire of these) and make a batch of sweet & salty Valentine’s Day pretzels. 

Say it with Dove® (& a Themed Sip!)

I rarely pick up chocolate for myself, but after finding the Dove® Heart Tin, I’m hooked. They’re a delicious bite-sized treat and so perfectly crafted – it truly is a chocolate that everyone can enjoy. This year I’m saying it with Dove®, oh and also a festive sip! To keep in line with the typical red/pink-ish/purple Valentine’s Day theme, I grabbed a bottle of pomegranate juice and topped it off with a little club soda. See? Just two ingredients and absolutely no stress prep over here! If you’re looking to host something similar, I highly recommend finding a one-stop shop near you. Thanks, Walmart! You made Valentine’s Day prep a total breeze.

How do you like to celebrate Valentine’s Day? I’m all about this new gal pal gift swap idea! Perhaps it’ll even become an annual tradition.

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