Everything's Better Homemade...

I know it's a day late, and maybe I should have talked about this sooner, but there's always next year, or even the next Holiday, right? I know what you're saying..."What's she talking about? I'm talking about Homemade Valentines. I made some yesterday (yes I realize it was last minute). Seriously, folks, it was on my list of "things to do", but I didn't actually get to it until yesterday. I had more pressing things like chickens, crafting, homeschool, cooking... you get the picture. So I thought I'd pop on here and show you the adorable little Valentines I made for our little Valentines. I hope you love them as much as I do!
   So, I'm sort of a procrastinator, have I mentioned that? I try not to be, but listen y'all, it's a hard life doing all the things and I do the best I can. (I know a lot of y'all can relate), and if you can't, more power to you mommas who have it goin' on more than I do! So we were at Walmart earlier this week and I spent about 15 minutes in the Valentine section looking at everything and it just all seemed so extreme. You know I'm a minimalist, and that entire section was just over the top. It's Valentine's y'all, not Christmas, and my kids do not need a ton of sugar, they get enough as is, so what to do? I asked my husband, "What's the kids' favorite candy?" Please don't give me grief because I didn't know; listen, I have too much to remember already! So he looked at me with a grin and said, "SOUR PATCH KIDS" and I thought, that'll do.
   We headed up front near the registers and grabbed four of the movie theatre style boxes of the SOUR PATCH KIDS, and headed home where I already knew I had the other things to make some cute and creative Valentines the kids would love. Now we're not going to really talk much about the fact that I waited until actual Valentine's Day to make them. Well, okay, we're talking about it a little because I feel a bit guilty for waiting, but hey, I got them done, and that's what matters, right? 
   For this simple little project, I used SCRAPBOOK PAPER and some raffia from a Dollar Tree Valentine's sign I had purchased for $1, but couldn't figure out how to use in a craft. ​

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I cut out hearts, both from plain red and paper that had a "busy" background, but also in Valentine's themes and colors and I glued first to the box of candy, then a second heart on top. Finally, I finished each with a raffia bow. I made the girls' a little more fancy with a tiny red felt heart, but the boys' remained just raffia, and they were really cute! 
   To finish the Valentines I took a white paint pen and wrote Valentine's messages similar to what you would find on the candy hearts. "Be Mine" "I Love You" "Sweetheart" and "Hug Me" to give each child something unique. The final product was awesome. The personal touch was even appreciated by the kids who each vowed to keep the heart attached to their candy box. (Oh, and they were really excited about the candy too! Way to go Dad!)
   Overall this easy to make Valentine, the simple $1 box of candy, and some creativity leaned to an awesome Valentine that didn't break the bank, showed the kids they were special and made me feel like I actually accomplished giving them something they liked without going overboard to do so. It was a win/win! BRAVO!!!

What did you do for Valentine's Day for your kids? Do you have traditions or do you change it up each year (we change it up!) Show me what you made, and drop a comment or "like" this blog post if you appreciated my efforts to give my kids a great Valentines day on a dime! 
   I look forward to hearing about what you created! Until tomorrow, I hope your Saturday is a great one, and keep warm if you're not in Florida!

XOXO,
Jen <3