I went to Elementary School in the 1980’s when preparation for Valentine’s Day entailed my Mom taking me to CVS to pick out boxed Valentines, perhaps Smurfs or Punky Brewster, and heading to the candy aisle for lollipops to stick onto each one. And, that was it.

I would fill out the names of my classmates, and wait until February 14^th, the glorious day when we received cards from every classmate with a piece of candy attached. It was like a mini Halloween, and the actual cards definitely went straight into the trash. Sorry friends at East Elementary.

I realized when Sam was about 2 minutes into Kindergarten that social media, Pinterest, in particular, had turned Valentine’s Day into something totally different than when I was a child. No more CVS. No more lollipops (cavities and allergies) — good move.

There are now many holidays, some I’d never even realized were celebrated in school, that are opportunities to create beautiful hand-made gestures of friendship for a class of 25?! Who has time for that?

So here’s something about me. I like to keep binders. I see something I like in a magazine or online, and I put it in a binder. It could not be more low-tech or space inefficient if I tried. I’m a super visual person, and all attempts I’ve made to store things in magical technical clouds have failed. This is bad for the people who have to live with me, but great for you, my friends!

Today, I share with you, “Marlene’s Binder of Favorite Valentine’s Printables”: (a.k.a. You Your child will look like a “Valentine-making-rock-star” with a little bit of printer paper, scissors, glue dots, Washi Tape and occasionally a hole punch.) Use one or use them all.

1. “I just Swanna tell you Happy Valentine’s Day”

This printable makes me swoon. It was created this year by Sunshine Sam’s wonderful graphic designer Jody Weisberg.

• Print at 100% on cardstock.
• Cut out and address

Isn’t it pretty?

2. “I’m Stuck On You” by Smarty Pants Paper Co.

This Valentine was also made just for Sunshine Sam this year. Isn’t it funny?

• Print at 100% on cardstock.
• Cut each one out. If you have a paper cutter, have an adult use that to save time.
• Use glue dots to adhere a glue stick to the back.
• It’s your choice where you write who it’s from.

3. “Let’s Band Together and be Friends Forever!” by Kori Klark of Paper and Pigtails.

• Print on standard cardstock at “scale to fit”.
• Cut out each rectangle. If you have a paper cutter, have an adult use that to save time.
• Using Washi Tape (Japanese rice tape that can be found at all art supply stores.) secure a cute hair band to the Valentine in the open space.

4. “I “cereal”sly Hope You’ll Be My Valentine!”

• Print on cardstock at “scale to fit”.
• If you are allowed to give out healthy food, use some glue dots to stick the Valentine to a box of mini cereal, like Cheerios. If not, the pun and design are cute all on their own.

5. “I Have a Ball With You!”

• Print on cardstock at “scale to fit”.
• Address the Valentine before attaching the ball.
• Purchase small bouncy balls at your local drugstore or big box store. You can also order off of Amazon. If you are local, we have plenty at Sunshine Sam.
• Using Washi Tape, adhere the ball to the card in the center of the polka dots on the Valentine.

6. Mad Lib Style Valentines: Caroline, of MadeVibrant.com.

These are great for a big group or a class party. This Valentine has 2 pages. Print one of each on regular paper at “scale to fit.”

• Each child will need a pair of scissors.
• This printable is truly an activity. Each child will get a Valentine that may say, “Being your friend is as fun as….” Then they look at page 2 where they have choices of answers that range from “a dance party” to “playing tag”. Each child can make multiple Valentines, and it’s a great friendship exercise.

P.S. If you don’t receive Made Vibrant’s newsletter, you should! It’s fantastic.

7. Pencil Tags by YellowBlissRoad.com

• Print on regular paper at “scale to fit”.
• There are 4 different designs that will print out (7 of each design per page).
• Directions for adhering the paper to the pencils are printed on the page, but the supplies you need are pencils and glue dots. We have both in the Art Bar at Sunshine Sam. 

8. “You Color My World”

• Print on cardstock at “scale to fit”.
• This design is most open to interpretation. If you have an artist making the Valentines, he or she may want to draw a picture for his or her classmates.
• Remember last year’s coloring craze? If you have a stack of coloring books that aren’t going to be used, tear out the pages and cut out hearts. Glue the hearts onto the printable, and the recipient can enjoy coloring it in.
• Another option is to buy a big box of crayons. It’s the time of year where crayons have mysteriously disappeared from school. Lay 4 crayons of different colors in a row on the printable and secure with a colorful piece of Washi tape or 2. The more colorful the better.

9. “I like how you ROLL” by LivLoveCruz.com

• Print on cardstock at “scale to fit”.
• This design is cool because it involves up-cycling. You know all those tiny toy cars that never get played with? Now’s your chance to de-clutter and re-gift.
• Once you’ve cut out and addressed the Valentines, put a glue dot on each car wheel.
• Press the wheels firmly to the tire tracks. DONE!

10. Valentine’s Tic-Tac-Toe

• Print on cardstock at “scale to fit”.
• Address the back.
• You can include a pen or a pencil for playing or leave it as is. It’s always nice to give someone a game! 🙂