It seems like only yesterday that I was wrapping up presents for Christmas and I was a little surprised to realize that I would be helping my kids create their little Valentine’s bags soon.  I am never a big participator in Valentine’s.  Maybe it is because of the holiday, or maybe it is simply that I am still in recovery mode from a very hectic Christmas. For whatever reason, my grab bags usually only consist of a couple candies thrown into a Ziploc sandwich bag with a store bought card slipped in. There is no fuss, no muss and I can pretend that I have done something pretty cute.

Of course, we all know just how cute a Ziploc bag can be (not very) so this year, I have decided to take my Valentine’s gifts to a whole new level.  What is great about this activity is that it is pretty simple, nothing too labor intensive and the finished product is wonderful. The kids get to enjoy giving and I get to enjoy sending in my holiday gift bags, yet again.

This craft is very easy and you can do it on your own or with your kids.

What you will need:

• Paper:  You can use wrapping paper, printed paper or white printer paper.
• Packaged Candy:  The best candy to use for this is a chocolate bar or anything that is in a small box.  You can use wrapped candies but the end result just isn’t the same and you will probably have more fuss than you really want.
• Ribbon:  Pick a Valentine’s ribbon.  There are tons of Valentine’s ribbon in reds, whites, pinks, and covered in flowers that you can buy at craft supply stores.
• Hole Punch:  You will be using this for your tag.
• Cardstock:  Choose a color that matches your paper and ribbon or simply go with a white cardstock.
• Markers
• Tape
• Embellishments: These are little odds and ends to decorate your candies with.

Directions:

1. Measure your candy and jot it down on a piece of paper so you don’t forget.  You will want to measure the surface area but since we will not be closing off the ends, you will want to simply measure the length of the candy and then measure the width on the top of the candy and times it by 2.  You will also need to measure the side width and times that by 2.  So if you have a chocolate bar that is 4 inches long and 2 inches wide on the top and .5 inches wide on the side width, then you will want a piece of paper that is 3.75 inches long (so you have a bit of the candy showing) and 5 inches in width.  Give yourself an extra .5 inch for overlap when you fold the paper.
2. The next step you will want to make is to decorate the paper.  If you used a printed paper, then you really don’t need to do anything at this stage, instead you can move on to step 3.  If you didn’t, decorate the paper with stamped images, or stickers or your child can draw pictures on the paper.
3. Now that your paper is ready, wrap it around the candy and tape it carefully into place. If you don’t want to see tape, add a few pieces of double sided tape in between the overlap. Set the candy aside.
4. The next step is to create your tag.  This can be done in a variety of ways but basically, you will want to cut out the shape of a tag in your cardstock and decorate with a message like “Be My Candy Valentine,” or with a sticker or stamped image.
5. Punch a hole at the top of the tag and insert the ribbon through the hole.  Finish by creating a bow with the ribbon.
6. Attach the tag to the candy and give to a friend on Valentine’s Day.

Sirena Van Schaik

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This craft, is an easy craft that can create a cherished handprint that you can take with you everywhere you go. There is some adult steps involved in this craft but this can be an excellent craft for any holiday but especially for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

What you will need:

• Shrinky Dinks:  This is a shrinkable plastic that you can find at most craft stores or by clicking here.
• Stamp Ink
• Scissors
• Fine Tip Marker
• hole punch
• key chain ring

Directions:

1. Take your child’s hand and ink the palm with the stamp ink.  Make sure that it is coated completely.  If you prefer to use something other than ink, paint does work, however, not as well as ink.
2. Firmly press your child’s palm to the shrinkable plastic and remove.
3. Allow the hand print to dry before the next step.
4. After it is dry, carefully cut around the hand print.  You can do any shape but most people cut out a hand shape.
5. Write the child’s name and age (or the date it was made) on the shrinkable plastic
6. Heat the shrinkable plastic in the oven. It is best if you follow the directions on the package for heating directions.
7. Once it has shrunk and is cooled, take the hole punch and punch a hole into the bottom of the palm.
8. Insert a key chain ring and give as a gift.

Although the hand print will shrink, the image will still be teh same so you will be left with a miniature version of your child’s hand print.

Sirena Van Schaik

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