Sweet and Simple Valentine's Day

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

11 Feb 2012 04:32 AM

Who says Valentine's Day has to be an elaborate affair?

Unless you are being wooed by Donald Trump there's little chance that your Love Day will include jetting off to a romantic locale, being showered with diamonds and rubies, and dining on a five-course gourmet meal while Luciano Pavarotti serenades you in multiple languages.

Heck, most of us will be lucky if we find a crumpled handmade Valentine's Day card in the bottom of our kid's backpack.

Celebrating February 14th doesn't have to put a strain on your wallet. Forget about the fancy chocolates, chilled champagne, long-stemmed roses, and massive balloon bouquets. Instead, make your sweetie something from the heart. These simple Valentine's Day gift ideas are ideal for kids (and kids at heart) to gift to family and friends on Love Day:

CANDY LOVE BUGS

Materials:

Small paper or plastic cups

Pipe cleaners

Sheets of craft foam

Scissors

Mini pompoms

Craft glue

Googly eyes

Black Sharpie

Small Valentine's Day chocolates or hard candy

Instructions:

Cut heart wings out of craft foam.

Glue wings to the back of the cup.

Cut a pipe cleaner into two equal parts.

Curl each piece of pipe cleaner around a pencil to make the bug's antennae.

Glue the antennae to the inside front of the cup.

Turn the cup upside down and glue two pompoms as feet.

Set the cup upright and glue two googly eyes to the front.

Glue a pompom below the eyes for a nose.

Once the glue dries, fill the cup with Valentine's Day candy and present to your sweetheart.

FLOWER CARD

Materials:

8.5 by 11 inch sheets of construction paper

Cupcake liners

Markers or crayons

Craft glue

Embellishments: buttons, sequins, glitter glue, stickers, stamps or candy hearts

Hershey Kiss or Skittles

Directions:

Select two different colored cupcake liners to make the flower.

Flatten one liner completely and keep the other one in its original shape.

Fold the construction paper in half widthwise.

Glue the flattened cupcake liner in the middle of the card's cover.

Glue the second cupcake liner on top of it, being sure to match up the centers.

Draw a stem and leaves with a green marker or crayon.

Glue a Hershey Kiss or Skittle to the middle of the flower.

Decorate card with embellishments.

Related Articles:

Simple Valentine's Day Projects for the Entire Family

Easy Last-Minute Valentine Projects

Fun Valentine's Day Projects for Kids

Affordable Valentine's Crafts

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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