I *heart* Homemade Valentines

Just simple homemade Valentines. Sugar, hearts and love. In the continuation of give me simple and make it fast, I bring you the homemade version of a Valentine celebration. No store-bought stuffed animals, no heart-shaped boxes of candy. This Valentine fun is the kind that can be readied in just little bits of time over the course of a few days. Or all at once the night before! Dangle hearts, microwave fudge, a tea party and even a crock pot dinner for your sweetie.

Homemade Valentines and Valentine Homeschool Celebration

How to Decorate with a Homemade Valentine Heart Garland

To make with the children the week before Valentine’s Day. You’ll just need some simple supplies you likely have on hand: pink and/or red construction paper, scissors, tape and yarn. Stickers and glitter are a plus.

Make a heart garland from construction paper. Cut out heart shapes of all sizes. Punch a hole and run some yarn through. Write a Bible verse on each heart. Here are a few to get you going.

• “I love you, O Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1
• “Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 19:19
• “Love the Lord your God with all your soul, heart and mind… and love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39
• “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-6
• “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7

How To Make Homemade Valentine Decorations

Mom and Dad each write something for each child on a small construction paper heart. Cut a strip of construction paper (similar to making a paper chain) and attach it to the heart with tape.

Simply tape the hearts to your kitchen light fixture right above the table. Makes things festive. It is fun to read what was written about the children each year. The older children’s hearts are a bit tattered and well-loved.

Valentine Art Lessons for Your Homeschool

Mixed Media Heart Collage – There are so many possibilities with this art work. Nana’s collage was made with pieces of copied sheets of music, red tissue paper, words and Valentines. For ours, we pulled from the craft supplies we had.

A Fun, Hands-On Homeschool Unit Study for Valentines Day – learn about the origins of Valentines Day and enjoy several art lesson ideas.

Make easy, homemade Valentine treats

Fudge to make with the children or as a surprise. For several years I ended up throwing out small, dollar-priced boxes of candy. Each with one bite taken out of the sampling of four chocolates. Enter easy, microwave fudge to the chocolatey rescue! Overall, fudge goes further and costs less. And, since I know the ingredients, I don’t have to worry about allergens.

Easy Microwave Fudge Recipe

(1) 14 oz. can sweetened and condensed milk
24 oz. semi-sweet morsels
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)

Combine the above ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave a total of 5 minutes. (Microwave 2 minutes. Stir. 2 more minutes. Stir. Microwave one more minute, stir). Pour into 8X8 or 9X9 pan. Cool in fridge for 2 hours or in freezer for 45 minutes. Cut into bite-sized pieces.

Wrap Homemade Valentine Treats Up in a Big Heart

Make a simple presentation for treats. Cut a big heart out of an 8×10 piece of red or pink construction paper. Put a treat in the middle, fold the heart in half and staple it once or twice.

Have a Valentine Tea Party with Valentine Mailboxes

Tasha Tudor style tea party – Every child enjoys making tiny, doll-sized Valentines. Maybe a tiny mailbox too? Let your children be in charge and practice manners. Make real tea, lemonade or hot chocolate. Splurge and use a tea set.

A Valentine Meal For your Sweetie

An easy, man-pleasing Valentine meal. Those meat and potatoes types really like this: Crock Pot Cube Steak (We have this year-round for Sunday lunch. A favorite!)

___________________________

There you have it. Fun and fudge for for a homemade Valentines! And no stuffed animals to grumble over and pick up out of the floor. No half-eaten pieces of candy to toss out. Just simple sugar, hearts and love.

More Fun Homemade Valentines Ideas

• Make a homemade Valentine for the birds!
• All the crafty homemade Valentines ideas I read in magazines long ago…maybe Family Fun, Home Life or Parent Life?
• The microwave fudge recipe may be from Hillbilly Housewife but I’m not sure.
• Need another dessert idea for just you and your Valentine? Click Fudge Pie
• How about a simple, stay-at-home date for Valentines? Click Dating Your Husband

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day with those you love?

-first published February 2010