Saint Valentine’s Day is just about 30 days from now which makes it an appropriate time in which to get started on creating your own valentine crafts this year. Valentine Day along with Christmas and Easter have become so commercialized that we often lose the original meaning or purpose of the celebrations.
Although there are a number of different accounts on the origin of Valentines Day, the original thought was consistent and had nothing to do with lavish dinners or expensive gifts. The gifts were given from the heart and included primarily hand written notes or messages of love and adoration or a simple flower plucked out of the garden.
I am a woman and love to be pampered from time to time, so by no means I am I advocating that you should cease for buying that special someone something that you know she’d love and appreciate. What I am suggesting is that you might want to shake things up a bit. Don’t get stuck in a routine of always having to purchase something every year just because it’s Valentines Day.
This month and leading up to February 14, 2007, we’re going to be suggesting creative ideas of how you can craft your own unique Valentine gift in lieu of purchasing expensive items this year. I will be focusing on crafts for Teachers, Children and that special Woman in your life. Today, we’re going to present craft ideas for your favorite teacher.
Growing up I can think of several teachers that made an impact on my life, but Mr. Wolfe, my English teacher made the greatest because he always encouraged me to pursue my passion for writing. When I think of teachers the first thing that comes to my mind is the word “Educator” and that word defined means…”A person or thing that educates; a teacher, principal or other person involved in the planning or direction of education”.
With that definition in mind the next thing we need to consider is what could you make for an educator that would be useful and fun or both? Good question, so here are 2 simple craft projects for your child to consider creating for their favorite teacher this Valentines Day. One is an essential tool, while the other is fun and useful and will hold down those loose papers on their desk.
Decorative Valentine’s Day pencils –
Step One – Fine or purchase 6 plain number 2 pencils and lay them out on your work surface
Step Two – Find old pieces of previous years Valentines wrapping paper
Step Three – Get your handy glue gun
Step Four – Take each pencil one at a time and cut a sheet of Valentines paper to fit the length of the pencil, once you’ve cut the paper to cover the entire pencil go to the next step
Step Five – Take your glue gun and put a bead of glue down the length of the pencil and wrapped the paper around it
Step 6 – Let the pencil dry and continue on until you’ve wrapped all of the pencils
Step 7 – Once all the pencils have dried, sharpen each pencil and wrapped them together in a large red silk bow.
Red Rubber Band Paperweight-
Step One – You need to purchase a small to medium Styrofoam ball from your local craft store
Step Two – 1 large bag of red rubber bands
Step Three – Begin wrapping the rubber bands around the Styrofoam ball in different directions until you have finally covered the white foam and have the weight consistency that you desire.
Step Four – Be creative when wrapping this gift, you can use old newspapers or if you’re creating this craft for a music teacher perhaps look for paper with musical notes on it or you can create our own musical notes in your word document and print it out on red paper and wrap your gift.
These craft ideas are inexpensive, quick and easy and they are sure to put a smile on your teachers face.
