kandas-adventures

Happy Valentine's Day 2012

 

For A, who is now in middle school, we decided she should give Valentines just to teachers & bus drivers, because it would be too awkward to give just to friends, as she is in multiple classes through the day with over 100 different kids.  For each teacher she gave either a primrose plant or a bar of chocolate with the 4x3 card photo card attached with curling ribbon.

For Little K, her cards go to the staff at her school, without any candy or flowers, since there are 50 staff: former teachers, playground supervisors, crossing guards, custodians (there are 3!), office staff, and specialist teachers (library, gym, computer, art, etc).  For classmates she opted for an inexpensive box of those little paper valentines with puppies and kittens on them, and she taped a small lollipop to each one, since she didn't want to be that ONLY kid in class who failed to give candy.  Her teacher, whom she adores, will receive a box of dark chocolate hearts, a packet of sweet pea seeds (she loves to garden), a pocket packet of floral tissues (what teacher doesn't get the sniffles?), and a special card. 

She has a party in class towards the end of the day, but I won't be there.  The parties are run by a few volunteer moms who compete to bring the most generous amount of sweets.  Last year it was an overload of cookies, cupcakes, candy, and soda, and there was no limit for the kids on what they could help themselves to (no "EITHER a cookie, OR a cupcake," it was: "take everything!")  I hate to witness that, it makes me ill watching the kids gorge themselves.  Besides, I'm working today, so I can't be there even if I wanted to.  Just as well, since chocolate is not safe when I'm around...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

 

 

Hot Links for Hot Valentine Ideas

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and the kids are anxious.  What shall we make this year?  What's the ettiquite now that A is in middle school and there are no more class parties and she attends 6 classes a day with hundreds of kids, many she hardly knows?  How does she slip Valentines to her closest friends without hurting the feelings of others?  Should she just give cards to her teachers and bus drivers and leave it at that?

Previous years we've made photo cards like this:

 

 

I usually photoshop 2 images on a 4X6 that I can cut into 4x3's.  Printing a set of 12 gives 24 cards to exchange with classmates, for a cost of $1.56 per girl, much less than the cheapest Valentine cards for sale at the stores.  I also do a set with a photo of the girls together, that they give to teachers and relatives.

The trend is now giving candy and toys, not just a card.  My girls insist that kids who give only a card are ostracized, so for the last few years they've talked me into giving candy, too, which I think is unnecessary.  Although with the loot that the girls come home with after a school party, it must be true that only the newest immigrant kids who've never exchanged valentines before fail to include "a treat" with their card.

I have mixed feelings about all these extras.  I don't know whether it is moms trying to outdo each other, or kids demanding them, but the expectation is there.  It's like those insideously expanding "goodie bags" full of cheap-o plastic toys and candy that kids come home with from birthday parties.  It's just getting to be too much, but...

Here I am a few days before Valentine's day, listening to my daughter's pleas to do something spectacular for their friends, and as I peruse the internet I can't deny all the delcious opportunities to share a fun craft with my kids.  Keep reading, and tell me you are not just a little inspired, as well! 

These are some great ideas I've come across in my annual research of what to do for Valentine's Day.  Click on the image to be taken to a tutorial or post about the project.  Click on the name of the website I found it on to be taken to their home page for year-round inspiration.  Enjoy!

 

Love potion Valentines at hellobee:

Mad Lib Valentines at Design Mom:

Temporary Tattoo Valentines at sheblogssheblogs:

Love Bug Valentines at Dandee Designs:

Lollipop Valentines are popping up everywhere, but here are three examples from design mom:

Fruit Valentines at Twig and Thistle:

Bouncy Ball Valentines at supermommoments:

Color Theory Valentines at MerMag:

Friendship bracelet Valentines from design mom:

Please note:  while I'd love to credit the original source of these creative ideas, the nature of the internet makes it difficult to trace who was the first to do them.  Chances are some of these were started decades ago by a crafty mom or grandma, or others came to the minds of many simultaniously due to pop culture trends.  The links I've profiled here are simply the ones I found during my search, and have chosen to share with you.  Put your own creative twist on whatever you do, and enjoy!