Favorite Valentine's Day Arts and Crafts

by Kelly Mellott

Valentine’s Day, traditionally, is a very crafty holiday, and has come to represent the time of year when we recognize those we love with tokens of our appreciation, also known as valentines. The tradition of exchanging gifts and valentines on February 14th really began in the 19th Century but the holiday has been closely associated with the ideals of romantic love since the High Middle Ages when the influences of Geoffrey Chaucer and courtly love flourished. These days, the U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that every year approximately one billion valentines are sent worldwide. Due to the mass commercialization of Valentine’s Day, here at FaveCrafts we encourage everyone to make their valentine something special this year. Here are our favorite free valentine crafts and easy valentine crafts from our heart to your sweetheart!

Forever Sweethearts Box

Sweethearts, young and old alike, will love this gift box embellished with love for Valentine's Day.

Courtesy of DecoArt

Materials:

DecoArt Products Required

Craft Twinkles Writers

• CTW05 - Christmas Red

Supplies

• Stickers (We used "Sweetheart" and "grow old" DCWV QS-006-00005 Colored Quote stickers.)
  
• 1 1/2" heart hole punch, EKSuccess Paper Shapers, PSPWP2
  
• Scrapbook paper, brown gingham print, Daisy D's 7030
  
• School glue stick
  
• 6" length of 6" brown tulle net
  
• Red Chinese take-out box, Westrim Crafts, 672772-BE-008
  

Steps:

1. Refer to photo for placement and attach stickers to front of box.
   
   
2. Punch heart from scrapbook paper. Referring to photo for placement, glue heart to box.
   
   
3. Use Christmas Red Craft Twinkles Writer to outline edges of heart and paint dots along edge of sticker edge above and below heart. Also add filigree at sides of heart. Let dry.
   
   
4. Tie net onto handle; trim ends.
   

More Great Free Valentine's Day Crafts

Other frugal adult Valentine Crafts and ideas:

- Write out how you feel – Cut out small hearts from red and pink construction paper. On each heart, write one thing you love about your valentine. Leave them scattered around your house or apartment where you know they will find them.

- If Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday, prepare your sweetheart a brown bag lunch to take with them to work. Cut the sandwich bread in the shape of a heart and include a thoughtful note.

- If your partner looks forward to flowers but you don’t have the cash for a dozen red roses, try a more unique route. Oftentimes, other flowers besides roses are just as lovely and cost less. Include a free valentine card that you made yourself!

- Write a thoughtful Valentine’s Day message with soap on the bathroom mirror so your sweetheart will find it when they wake up in the morning.