Arranging your own flowers is easy and cost effective.  I buy 3 different kinds at Costco (tulips and sweat peas are shown here).  Cut the stems on the diagonal and place them in a vase with flower food.  You can get 2 or 3 arrangements from these bundles.  Use lots of fun, colorful ribbon with different textures to make it look beautiful.  To make your own flower food mix 1 cup lemon lime soda (not diet), 1/4 tsp. bleach, and 3 cups warm water.

Personalized Valentine’s are definitely the best, especially for grandparents, teachers, and parents.  Have the kids make their own by setting up a Valentine making station.  Have out colorful paper, scissors, glue, glitter, stickers, and pens.

These little mailboxes from Target have become one of our favorite things!  We put them on candlesticks at varying heights.  Throughout February we put little notes in them and put the flag up when there is mail.  The couple of days before Feb.14, however, I like to start putting little surprises in them, like heart shaped fruit snacks, and heart chocolates. To see directions for the Valentine Subway Art shown in the picture, click here.

Last, but not least, I’ll be planning the food:  homemade breakfast donuts made with our Sunbeam donut maker (no frying involved), heart shaped cheeses and crackers for lunch, and hamburgers with cut out heart buns followed by Death by Tiramisu.

GIFT IDEAS:

See the full post HERE  to see what songs I put on mine, and to download a free CD cover.

GAME TO PLAY:

HERE’S TO CELEBRATING LOVE!!!

I’m really into Subway Art these days. This is a version I did for the girls group I coordinate. I listed Biblical scripture references where it talks about these varying aspects of LOVE (you can download it here). I got the lumber from a scrap pile at a wood shop and had them cut it down into workable pieces. I adjusted the art dimensions to fit on the wood.

Here is what you need for this project:

A print out of the subway art, paint, wood, and Modge Podge.

Paint the boards any color for a background. It won’t be seen much except the sides and back.

After the paint dries, MODGE PODGE the paper (printed on kraft colored cardstock or whatever you choose) to the wood. Brush over the paper with M.P. also. Let dry. Add a ribbon or other embellishments to the top.

Here is how it looks in my kitchen with my Valentine cluster:

**Extra Note: My friend told me that when she went to Modge Podge on this project, the ink ran. I am using a laser printer and did not have that problem. If you have an inkjet printer you may want to use a spray adhesive over the top and then Modge Podge. This spray glue comes in a spray paint type can and can be found at most stores. Be sure to let it dry completely.