Valentine's Day is a special day set aside to celebrate love. Many families celebrate this day as a family day of love instead of or in addition to a couples day of love.
Some couples enjoy a romantic dinner out on the weekend before Valentine's Day followed by a family dinner at home on Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day falls on a Tuesday this year so most families will be juggling homework, sports or dance practice, and other evening obligations that night.
You can make Valentine's Day special for the whole family with handcrafted or store bought gifts, cards from the heart, heart shaped baked goodies, and a special Valentine's Day meal.
This is the first in a series of three articles about Valentine's Day. This article will examine some handcrafted items you can make for Valentine's Day. Future articles will examine places you can buy special gifts and Valentine's Day recipes. Here are some crafty ideas to start you off.
Handmade Greeting Cards
Fold white or colored card stock into a 4x6 or 5x7 sized card or start with blank cards. Cut out heart shapes and write or cut letters to make a love sentiment. Some possibilities include Love You, I Love You, For You, or Be Mine. Glue the love words and heart shapes on the front of the card. Glue a photo of your child inside and/or have your child sign his name.
Thumbprint Heart Card
Start with blank cards or fold white card stock into a 4x6 or 5x7 sized card. Have your child coat both thumbs with red washable paint. Press each thumb one at a time at an angle in the middle of the card to form a heart shape. Decorate the heart when dry with eyes, nose, mouth, arms, and legs. Have your child write I Love You or Happy Valentine's Day on the front of the card. Glue a photo of your child inside and/or have your child sign her name.
Paper Heart Wreath
You can make a simple but cute paper heart wreath to decorate your front door or your dining room or kitchen wall. Cut out 12 4" heart shapes from red, pink, and white construction or cardstock paper. Let the kids decorate the hearts with their names or words or phrases of love. Some possibilities include Love, Hugs, I Love You, Be Mine, and other words you might find on candy conversation hearts. Glue the shapes together into a wreath shape and hang on your door or wall using tape.
Scrapbook of Love for Your Sweetheart
For your spouse or sweetheart, the first page can have an early photo of the two of you together with the date of your marriage or when you started dating. Additional pages can have photos of fun times and memories you've shared together. If you have kids together, be sure to include photos with the kids. Be sure to write love sentiments or memories on each page too. The idea is to show in photos and words the love you share for each other.
Scrapbook of Love for Kids
A special gift you can make for your kids is a scrapbook of love. Start with either a 12"x12" or 8"x8" scrapbook. For kids, the first page can have a photo from when the child was born with date and name. Additional pages can show your child with parents and other family members through the years. Be sure to add names and dates. If possible, have the person shown in each photo write a special message to your child. The idea is to show all of the people who love your child.
Love Ornaments
Using either foam heart shapes or heart shapes cut from card stock, punch a hole for hanging. Have each child decorate one or more hearts with their name or love words. Add red yarn to hang and hang from curtain rods in your living room, dining room, kitchen, or family room.
Photo Love Frame
Use foam heart shapes of any color. Cut out a photo of each child that will fit in the center of the heart. Glue all of the heart photos onto a sheet of card stock cut to 8"x10." When dry, put into a photo frame. This can be given as a gift to grandparents or other family members or used as a Valentine's Day centerpiece for your table.
Have fun with these Valentine's craft ideas and stay tuned for more Valentine's Day ideas.
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