Page 7 - Dainfern Precinct Living 1 2021

LIFESTYLE

ith curfews and lockdown still searching for hidden treasure. But even (under his food bowl) or Tick-tock, tick-
very much part of our reality, the teens can get involved in this one. tock (behind the clock).
Wan intimate Valentine’s date All the names go into a hat or jar and
for two at a cosy restaurant is more likely everyone pulls out a name. If someone “LET ME TREAT YOU” VOUCHER
to be a figment of one’s imagination this gets their own name, of course, there You will need:
year, so why not make Valentine’s Day a has to be a swop. Taking turns, each • Enough pens/felt tip pens for every one.
celebration for the whole family? person has to hide 5 clues in random • Strips of cardboard [approx. 6cm x
places around the house. Each clue 15cm or similar size] to make
DECORATING IS PART OF THE FUN has to be a rhyme and be a little bit vouchers.
Regardless of whether it’s going to be obscure, to get the searcher guessing
a romantic tête-à-tête or a free-for-all (but it shouldn’t be too difficult!) and Moving on from the Scavenger Hunt, it’s
family shindig, setting the scene is must lead to the next clue and then time to reflect on how each person can
essential. Red candles, red serviettes, the next until the ‘treasure’ is found – it show their appreciation of someone who
red balloons, and red streamers should could be a KitKat or tube of Pringles, they value in the family. Each person
do the trick. And, of course, everyone something fairly small that’s easy to gets to nominate someone that they
must wear red! hide. Then everyone gets back to the want to give a special voucher to – it
start and you all set off at the same could be sisters who decide to paint
THE WAY TO MY HEART IS THROUGH time. The one who comes back with each other’s nails; brothers who offer to
MY STOMACH their ‘treasure’ first gets a bigger prize. trim each other’s hair; or Mom and Dad
A family celebration becomes all the giving each other back massages – it’s
more special when good food and Tip! When you’re writing out the riddles, the doing something for someone else in
interesting beverages are shared around write WHERE each clue is supposed the family that’s the essential ingredient.
the dining table. to be hidden on the back so you can It’s probably a good idea to add a time
remember as you’re hiding them. It’ll frame to the voucher, as well, so make
Note to Mom: You don’t want to be make them much easier to hide in the sure there’s an ‘Expiry Date’ at the end
spending the whole evening in the correct sequence! of the ‘Conditions’.
kitchen, so some meal preparation the
day before would be a good idea. Each riddle should lead the hunter to DON’T FORGET THE SELFIES!
the next riddle in a specific location And yes, definitely don’t forget to take
If your family loves spicy food, preparing described on the card. Examples of lots of Selfies this . . . yet again . . . .
a Thai Green curry that can mature clues: Where Fido would find his food highly memorable year!!
overnight would probably go down a treat.
Cook the rice in the oven on the day, buy GRAND FINALE –
a ready-made salad and you’re sorted.
For the teens, ordering some take-away A ROMCOM MOVIE
pizzas should fill the gaps. And make After all the fun and dinner, it’s time
sure you mix up some mocktails to suit for movies.
the occasion – like a blend of watermelon
juice, lime juice and crushed mint leaves, Here are some popular Valentine’s
sweetened to taste with a simple sugar suggestions:
syrup, served in tumblers; or peach juice, Southside with You. Released in
orange juice and cranberry juice splashed September 2016, this is a biographical
over ice in highball glasses. romantic drama about a Harvard student
working as an associate at a Chicago
Sweetness and Valentine’s Day definitely law firm who charms a young attorney
go together in the same thought bubble, on a summer day in 1989. Starring
so plan a couple of dessert options, Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers, the
such as strawberries dipped in melted movie is inspired by Barack and Michelle
chocolate, or my personal favourite – Obama’s first date.
Italian Cassata – easy to make by mixing Always Be My Maybe stars Ali Wong and
chopped glacé cherries, bits of candied Randall Park, who are former childhood
fruit and shelled pistachio nuts with soft
WILL YOU the freezer. Before serving, sprinkle When Sasha (Wong) moves back to San
besties that have unfinished business.
vanilla ice cream and popping it into
Francisco, she and Marcus (Randall)
chocolate flakes on the top along with a
reconnect. But there’s this gap between
few chopped glacé cherries. Yum!
their current positions – she is a famous
chef and he is still living at home. Is this
BE MY GAMES gap too wide to bridge?
Many therapists suggest that couples,
friends and families who play together
Valentine's Day starring Jennifer Garner,
will stay close, regardless of adversities,
Julia Roberts, Jessica Biel, Ashton
so let's make this fun for everyone.
Kutcher, Topher Grace, Shirley MacLaine,
VALENTINE? PLAN A SCAVENGER HUNT Bradley Cooper, Taylor Swift, Jamie Foxx,
and Anne Hathaway (whew!) follows a
You will need:
group of characters as they weave their
• Enough coloured pencils /felt tip pens
way through the highs and lows of love
for everyone.
one Valentine's Day in Los Angeles. As the
• Tinted paper or thin cardboard cut
down to A5 size.
establish long-time commitments, endure
• A ‘treasure’ for each participant. day unfolds, they experience first dates,
youthful crushes and revisit connections
BY ANN ARNOTT • And a larger ‘prize’. with old flames.
The little ones always enjoy the thrill of
Click on this link for more about how to plan a scavenger hunt: https://www.playpartyplan.com/scavenger-hunt-ideas/#clues
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DPL