How Do You Make Your Family Feel Special?

[cschin4]

I am not Suzy Homemaker and sometimes I think I could do much better in making my house feel like a home and making my family feel loved and appreciated. I do have a "family" party for everyone's birthday. Just us, my spouse and my 3 kids and gram. The birthday person gets to choose whatever they want me to cook and the type of cake to bake. I make their favorite meal and bake them a 2 layer cake (a mix) but better than the store ones. We decorate it and even though it is lopsided, etc. it is made with love.
We always get some party gear at the dollar store with table cloth, hats, plates, etc. And, each family member HAS to come, no excuses. I think that has been an enjoyable tradition. And, of course, I give separate parties for the kids for their B-days.
What other things make your home feel special and to love your family? I want to create some little, warm traditions that make for good memories. Sometimes we get so busy with sports, school and other events that we lose track of what is important.

[sfalexi]

One thing I heard a friend of mine do that was pretty cool, is once in a while (special occasions), you ask each family member what they want for dinner. And you drive around and pick up WHATEVER they want for dinner. So if one kid wants pizza, one wants burger king, and you want lasagna, and another wants something else, see if you can find a way to pick each one up individually and eat your wacky wierd dinner as a family. Maybe in front of a movie or something.

VERY special occassions, once in a blue-moon kinda thing.

[disneysteve]

I think the best way to make someone feel special is to spend time with them doing something they like to do. That might not cost a penny in some cases. Taking my daughter for a bike ride would be a good example of a free activity that makes her feel special. Watching a rented DVD and having some snacks with my wife on a night that our daughter is out is another.

Then there are things that do cost money but are still special for some reason. There is a Japanese restaurant that my daughter loves. My wife can't eat there due to food allergies but I will periodically take my daughter there for lunch on a weekend when we have nothing going on. A few weeks ago, I took my wife to Atlantic City for the weekend while our daughter was away at a youth group event. We had some nice meals, relaxed a lot in our room (she was still recovering from surgery and wasn't up to much activity), did some gambling and just chilled out.

Lots and lots of things we do all together as a family, too. Again, I think the key is spending time together.

[cschin4]

Those are great Steve!

[ScrimpAndSave]

I love great home cooked meals and cookies...but then again I am Italian and Greek so Food + Love to me.

[ea1776]

Love playing board games with the family. Apples to apples is super fun, so is pictionary and taboo.

I surprise my wife from time to time with a love note or I pickup the magazine she likes and hide it under her covers so she finds it when she goes to bed. That kind of stuff has seemed to work very well in making her happy.

I also think _involving_ people works great. Involve kids with an art project (like painting a flower pot, then plant some herbs and watch them grow) or start a scrapbook that documents an event or a year's time. My wife and I are making goofy Christmas shirts this year for fun. These types of things I think can really make a home awesome, because the people remember the experience and also get to see the fruits of that experience in the home.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

My DH used to cook me breakfast in bed. Or we used to sneak away for the day to just somewhere random and grab some cheese and wine and a blanket.

We also like just taking the dogs out for a walk aomewhere veryromantic. And other times we do something really exciting and fun.

I surpriused my DH with tickets to a playoff hockey game this year. We een cabbed it and had I would have to say one last night of drunken fun. I ddin't worry about the costs. Instead we just blew everything and enjoyed ourselves. He adored it.

[PrincessPerky]

Every morning I try to remember to start with a cheerful goodmorning and a hug, no matter how long the night was/how early it is/what is on the todo list/who woke me up by crying.

Naptime is my quiet time (only one still sleeps), but I try to grab one kid a day to read with, or talk to for a few moments. (and the rest of the hour is MINE, go away!)

If possible on a day we are not in a hurry I try to make sure the hair combing is a fun one on one time. What kind of ribbons would you like, how many braids, or whatever. (as opposed to combing as fast as possible with one simple quick braid)

Kids often get to take turns picking the veggie for dinner, sometimes picking the meal as well. (based on what we have) And most days one or more helps with cooking/table setting, giving us time to talk.

All chores are done together if possible, so lots of family time is done just with being side by side for cleaning, baking, etc. (though not all with the same kid)

Many non event nights (no scouts, or music, ect) we play a game as a family, or with a couple kids. We also have a game night with friends, but that is usually an 'ignore the kids' night.

And bedtime is almost always a family story/prayer with each kid getting tucked in on their own for a few moments of one on one chat (with mommy or daddy or both if we have time).

I don't think any of those moments cost money, nor are they requiring of any special skill.

[zmonique2007]

A great smile with hug and kisses in the morning. I would also surprise my husband by giving him stuff that he eagerly want.

[snafu]

Our DKs have been responsible for making Saturday dinner since the eldest was 8 y/o, able to manage the microwave. [some meals have been hilarious] We try hard to make dinner a family event, everyone tells their best thing and worst thing about the day's events.
Going to the library was a bi weekly family event until DKs were pre-teen.
We do a 9 p.m. ETE [eliminate the evidence] putting 15 minutes on the timer, everyone in the house scrambles to put stuff away and set out what is needed for tomorrow, backpacks at the door, table ready for breakfast.

[segmond]

The Complete List For Any Family.

Play Together,
Laugh/joke Together,
Pull Pranks On Each Other!
Talk And Open Up To One Another.

[charley_alford]

Love your family members, listen to them, support them when they need it, give them space when they need it, hug them a lot, be honest with them. Take time out to pamper yourself too. You can’t make anyone else happy unless you are happy. Don’t worry too much. It’s the heart that counts and they will always treasure the everyday small things.

[khosta]

I'll go over to my parents house just to hang out! I usually end up there for a while and we cook dinner and have a glass of wine on the patio while we look at the view and chat!! Patio/wine time with mom and dad is one of my favs!!!