Will You Be My Valentine: D.I.Y Decor and More

So here we are two weeks away from the day of "Love" or the most mass marketed holiday. This holiday can bring up feelings of joy and excitement, but it can also bring up feelings of resentment and hate. No matter the side of the fence you sit on (the middle like me), you may have an inkling to decorate for the holiday, or need to get some Valentine's put together for your child's class. I've compiled a list of some budget friendly D.I.Y Decor and handmade Valentine ideas, some I have done myself, and other's I have found in the bottomless pit of ideas also known as Pinterest, 

Decor: Even with Dollar store's having amazing selections of craft supplies and seasonal decor it can be easy to go spend a ton of money where it isn't needed. I wanted to decorate for the 'Holiday' my reasons can be found in my previous post The Hallmark Holiday. I also didn't want to break the bank doing so. I love my kids and would do anything for them, but bankrupting us just to decorate and celebrate one day isn't going to help any of us. I found at our local dollar store so great pre-made decorations but kept my budget to $5 of items that will be tossed and unable to be reused, and allowed a total of $25 dollars for craft supplies, (if needed as most of the supplies we already have in our craft bin used all year round) for some D.I.Y budget friendly decor and other items that can be reused.

1) Mason Jar Decor: This one is really simple, most people now a days have a few mason jars lying around the house (this could also easily be done with nice jam jars that have been thoroughly cleaned out). I took Paper doilies, and some red twine I had laying around from Christmas and cut out some paper hearts, using paper I found in my craft supply bin. 

2) Burlap Valentine's Banner: Cut Triangle banner shapes from Burlap Sheets (these can be found at most Dollarama locations or local Craft supply store. Use glue like Modge Podge to write out the letters and sprinkle glitter and voila. Attach using ribbon or twine and hang anywhere in the home. ***Pro Tip: use a cardboard box to do your glittering on and throw it outside after you are done. The glitter stays contained to one area instead of all over the place***

3) Crocheted Heart Garland: This is for those that own crochet hooks, and have some yarn laying around. Depending on the size of the hook and yarn depends on the size heart you make. I used left over yarn from another project and crocheted many tiny hearts and then threaded them together. It can be strung and hung from anywhere or can be attached to a canvas for a piece of wall art. Find the Pattern Here at Domestic Bliss.

4) Thumb Print Hearts Ornaments: (this is more of a craft for kids) Use any recipe for Salt Dough (Mine is 2 Cup All purpose Flour, 1 Cup Salt, 3/4 Cup Warm Water) Cut desired shapes (we used a heart) Press childs thumb into ornanment using red paint or whichever colour you choose. When shapes are done place on parchment lined baking sheet in preheated 200 F oven for 1 to 2 hours depending on the thickness of your ornaments)  Once cooled and decorated you need to seal them with an acrylic sealer or Modge Podge, this prevents cracking later on. We actually made these at Christmas and did them in Christmas Colours but these can also be made at valentines, This holiday we are making them into magnets. (They can be made into just about anything)

5) Paper Heart Tree: This one is super simple, collect some sticks and twigs, put them in a vase or nice jar, attach paper hearts. 

There are so many other ideas (But these are a few that we have made and done) You could get lost for hours on Pinterest looking at ideas. 

Valentines: Non Candy Valentines, are the up and coming trend. However thanks to Pinterest and Crafty Mom's everywhere plain old paper Valentines no longer seem to be the in thing. (Many people still use them, so lets not knock those who do). We opt for a Non Candy Valentine as my oldest has a Red Dye Allergy. Red white and Pink are the common colours for Valentine's treats. So he usually doesn't get to partake in that way. So we get a small treat, be it a pencil or eraser or some other novelty item.

As mentioned in my previous post my Mother is a Queen of Crafting and saw some super cute Valentine's using Hot wheels cars. Be warned these are not the most budget friendly Valentine's, however My son has always had a very small class. My rule of thumb is no more than the cost of a candy bar per child. These happened to work out well since we had most of the supplies on hand, purchased a bulk box of Hot Wheels cars on sale and away we went. He had a great time selecting the individual cars for each of his friends and he wrote their names on each card, all that I had to do was tie the knot on the car. See Number 13 below. (Confession this year I found Valentine's similar to what my son wanted to make on Pinterest [see No.8], already done at the dollar store! #Momwin)

POPSUGAR. has an entire list on their site. I also have it saved to my pins for later. 

Here are some of my Favourite Non Candy Valentine's (Many with Free Printables)

1.Sports Balls (Gluesticks and Gumdrops)

2.Your Friendship Blows me Away (Bliss Bloom Blog)

3.Playdoh Printable (The Nerds Wife)

4.Mustache you a Question (I can Teach My Child)

5.Toadally Awesome (Crap I've Made)

6.Write to the Point (Liz on Call)

7.Tiny Animal Valentines (Sweet Cs Designs)

8.You're A-maze-ing (Balancing Home)

9.You're Awesome Sauce (C.R.A.F.T)

10.Glow Stick Printable (30 Minute Crafts)

11. Heart Pop (Crazy Little Projects)

12. Ex-Straw Special (It's Always Autumn)

13. Make My Heart Race (Hello Wonderful)

I could Honestly go on and on, there are so many great ideas out there. Follow Mommy Dearest HQ on Pinterest for more ideas. 

For Craft Ideas for kids Visit The Unprepared Mommy for some great ideas. 

Whether you go to the nines with the decorations or send 1 or 100 Valentine's, You're making someone's heart smile, even if just for a day. 

~ Mommy Dearest

DIY Valentine's Inspired by The Lou Lou Girl's