Home holiday valentine's day

valentine's day

    Latest

    Valentine Exchange

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Valentine Exchange

    Valentine Exchange

    In the mad rush of the holidays, I was looking ahead to Valentine’s Day, as one does. I was thinking about something we could do as a community to share in the love and showcase our mad making skills and thought about a Valentine exchange–it would be perfect!

    When we first moved here to Utah (about ten years ago now!), I was invited to an in-person Valentine exchange (funny how you have to clarify these things like that these days). I made these leather heart pouches and met some of my now closest friends there. It was such an informative event and I loved seeing what everyone brought.

    Egg valentine

    I thought it might be nice to do in with our dear Lars community because if anyone can make a mean Valentine, it’s you! But even if you aren’t a “maker”, you’re still invited to participate.

    What’s a Valentine Exchange?

    A Valentine exchange is just what it sounds like: you make a handmade valentine and someone else makes a valentine and you will exchange them. Simple enough? Ha!

    How will the valentine exchange work?

    1. First, fill out this form indicating that you would like to participate by Sunday, January 22nd.
    2. On Monday we will email you you a name and address via email of one person to send a handmade Valentine to.
    3. You will receive one Valentine in the mail from someone else.
    4. We will also be sending a discount code to our Valentine shop in case you’d like to use any of our templates for it.

    What should you make for a Valentine Exchange?

    The big question–what to make! This is really up to you! You can go as big or a simple as you want to go. The goal here is to share the love! It’s not a competition! Whatever you think you would be excited to receive is probably what other people would also like to receive.

    If you’re still stumped, I put together this handmade Valentine card list with some great ideas to get you going. You can also check out our Valentine Pinterest board for more inspiration.

    be a part of our Valentine exchange

    Note about Valentine’s Day

    Last week on Insta stories I asked about your favorite Valentine’s Day traditions. A lot of of people wrote in saying how much they despised Valentine’s Day because it made them feel sad and lonely. I totally get it. It can be triggering. While I totally think that we should talk about that and hold space for it, I also want this to be a space where we can all express a shared love, independent from romantic love. In fact, I’ve totally disassociated it from romantic love because I think it should be a day to say “hey, you exist and I love you”. To me, it’s about caring and sharing.

    I realize it may not mean the same thing to everyone, but I think that’s precisely why we need this!

    Share in the love

    I think it will be very cool to see what people are making and where they are making it from. Tag any process photos or video along with your final card with #LarsValentineExchange so we can all see it happening. I’m so excited to see where everyone is from and what you’re making!

    Link to sign up for the Valentine Exchange

    Handmade Valentine Cards

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Handmade Valentine Cards

    Handmade Valentine Cards

    I will always be Team Handmade Card even if I don’t actually get around to making anything (ha! the reality of being a working mom, or just a mom…or just human ;). To me, a handmade card is a wonderful expression of your innate creativity. Plus, you don’t really need a gift if you spend some time making a handmade card. That IS the gift, right?!

    Here are some favorite Handmade Valentine cards.

    Tootsie Pop cherry Valentines

    These Tootsie Pop cherry Valentines are such a cute idea for kids AND adults. It would be fun to get some kids or friends together and make them altogether. Plus, they are a super simple project even if you don’t think your craft skills are top notch. Write a little note on the leaf as a personalized card.

    Tootsie Pop Cherry Valentines

    Hand in heart token Valentines

    These hand in heart token Valentines have a long history, which you can read about here. You can cut them by hand or put them in a craft cutting machine. We even made some templates for them, which you can find here.

    diy valentine cards

    Scandinavian woven hearts

    These woven hearts are used at Christmastime in Scandinavia, but I think they’d be VERY cute as Valentines too. You could even blow up the proportions and use it as a Valentine’s Day box.

    Danish Christmas hearts

    Library card Valentines

    We found the cutest library cards and had to turn them into a library theme for Valenine’s Day. You could either paint on them, color, or, in our case, embroidered them. So many fun options there. You can find the tutorial here.

    Embroidered Library Card Valentines

    Bleeding hearts card

    In our Learning to Draw course, we have a section on how to draw bleeding hearts (some of my favorite flowers). I think it would be so so pretty to draw a card with them. They are a beautiful symbol for love.

    Paper face boxes

    I love the idea of a Valentine that also acts as a candy receptacle and these paper face boxes are just that. Plus, you can add in a printable card to go inside or make your own! The templates for the face boxes can be found here and the printable can be found here.

    Paper Lipstick Valentines

    One of the best ideas for girlfriends are these paper lipstick Valentines. You can find the tutorial here.

    Paper Lipstick Valentines

    Shrinky Dink Valentines

    A cute way to add some personality to a card is by adding in a shrinky dink pin to go with it. Here’s how to make shrinky dink.

    shrinky dinks

    3 ways to Fold a love letter

    You don’t have to go completely over the top but you can just look like you did. Take a normal piece of paper and then fold it in a cute way. Here are three ways to fold a love letter.

    Make your own heart doily

    We created some beautiful templates to make a handmade papercut heart Valentine doily. You can even use your craft cutting machine to get it absolutely perfect. Put a solid piece of paper underneath for a pretty contrast.

    Heart tassel box

    This paper heart box is a little more involved but you can simplify it by not adding the paper cuts on the box. Here’s how to make the heart tassel box.

    Fruit pinatas

    I love these fruit pinatas and think they’d be the cutest to give out for Valentine’s Day. Here are the full instructions. You can even download the sticker for a complete look.

    Make a heart box

    You can make a heart box and include a note inside of it for a full handmade Valentine. Here’s the tutorial and template for making it!

    Let me know how it goes! I always love to hear how you’re getting creative! 

    Valentine’s Day traditions

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Valentine’s Day traditions

    Valentine’s Day Traditions

    I’m going to venture to say that a part of the reason that Valentine’s Day has been hyped up so much, besides the history and symbolism of it all, is because after Christmas and New Year’s we need something to look forward to. It’s the height of winter, it’s pretty bleak and boring and gosh darn it, we need some red and pink in our lives!

    History of Valentine’s Day

    That said, there IS a long history to the holiday, which I find super fascinating. Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14th that has its origins in ancient Rome. The holiday was originally called Lupercalia, and it was celebrated as a fertility festival. As part of the festival, men would draw the names of women from a jar and pair up with them for the duration of the festival–(really hoping the women had a choice in the matter–anyone know?!).

    In the 5th century AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14th as Saint Valentine’s Day, in honor of a martyr named Valentine who was believed to have been executed on that day. The Catholic Church recognizes several saints named Valentine, but the exact identity of the one honored on Valentine’s Day is unclear.

    Over time, Valentine’s Day evolved into a day to express love and affection between romantic partners. People began to exchange gifts, such as flowers and chocolates (two of my favorite things), and write love letters to their loved ones.

    Valentine’s Day tradition ideas

    As you know, I LOVE this holiday and we’ve been sharing ways to celebrate for years and years. Here are some of my favorite ways to celebrate love in all its forms that would make terrific traditions!

    My rules about traditions

    There aren’t “rules” per se, but I’m pretty insistent on not taking on anything that overwhelms you. Find traditions that work with your interests and time constraints, otherwise you’re setting yourself up for unmet expectations. I’ve been there and done that! Take these as ideas, not have-tos!

    Valentine’s Day advent calendar

    Ok! Let’s start! I say, why not get all the excitement out of every holiday as we can?! Why leave an advent calendar just for Christmas?! We made countdown for Valentine’s Day and I have to say–it’s a great way to build excitement!

    Valentine’s Day Cards

    A classic and simple way to express love is to write a card for Valentine’s Day. I’m talking like when you’re in elementary school–handing out cards. You can do store bought cards, of course, but there’s something lovely about making your own, or even just folding a piece of paper in a unique way. We have a ton of printable options and handmade ideas.

    Handmade Valentine’s Day Cards

    Making Valentine cards by hand is always my ultimate goal (now, do I actually do it??? that’s the real question…). Here are some ideas!

    Printable Valentine’s Day cards for teens and adults

    Printable Valentine’s Day cards for kids

    Valentine’s Day Giftables

    A simple card is great, but add on a little tiny gift to it and it becomes a gift-able, which is  that much better! These would be great for a neighbor or friend gift to hand out.

    Tootsie Pop Cherry Valentines

    More Valentine giftable ideas

    Friendship bracelets with hearts.

    Valentine’s Day Party Ideas

    A Valentine’s Day party, or Galentine’s Day, my favorite form of the Valentine’s Day party, is a great tradition idea. This year I’m wanting to do a Valentine exchange party where we all make some and hand them out.

     Valentine’s Day Party Decor

    A party themed around love is the best kind to throw. Here are some beautiful ideas to add to your event:

    Valentine’s Day food

    Valentine’s Day games

    Table top games are a fun idea for the event!

    Valentine’s Day Home Decor

    accordion heart wreath

    Valentine’s Day artwork

    An art print up on the wall gets you in the spirit of the season. Here are some favorites:

    Give a Valentine’s Day gift

    A gift for a loved one is a great idea. Chocolate and flowers is super traditional and in my mind a super win/win. BUT, use this wrapping of sweet cherries or truffles and it takes it up a notch 😉

    Valentine’s Day accessories

    If you’re not one to dress up all in red and pink on Valentine’s Day (and I ask you to reconsider), maybe a simple accessory is more your style. Here are some DIY projects to get you in the mood:

    wearing red and pink on Valentine's Day
    Me on Valentine’s Day last year

    DIY Valentine's Day heart collar pin

    Valentine’s Day box

    For the school-aged kids, a Valentine’s Day box is tradition (at least around these parts!). I love going over the top! Here are some ideas for you.

    Valentine’s Day tradition ideas from around the world

    In modern times, Valentine’s Day is a day for couples to express their love for one another. Many people give gifts, such as flowers, chocolates, and jewelry, to their partners. It is also common for couples to go out for a romantic dinner or take a trip together. Some people also choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their friends and family members.

    Valentine’s Day is also a popular time for proposals and weddings. Some people choose to propose or get married on Valentine’s Day to make the occasion even more special.

    Valentine’s Day is a holiday that is celebrated differently around the world. For example, in South Korea, it is common for women to give chocolate gifts to men, while in Japan, it is the opposite, where men give gifts to women.

    Valentine’s Day traditions from readers

    I asked our Instagram community for their traditions and you had a lot to say. Pretty much-you are all better people than me. I love these ideas! There were so many that I had to divide them up into themes.

    For the kids

    • “My kids always made their own Valentine’s. This was pre-Pinterest!”
    • “We make a poster for each family member and each write something we love about each other every day until the 14th” [a lot of people contributed something along these lines]
    • “Homemade sugar cookies with our names frosted on them!”
    • “A small box of chocolates for each person and a heart pizza with a rom com for dinner.” [pizza was a big theme for a lot of people!]
    • “A scavenger hunt with clues for a small Valentine gift basket at the end”
    • “Writing a little note to my kids in lipstick on the bathroom mirror”
    • “Fancy breakfast, kids wake to decorate table, love notes, balloons, new book and treats”
    • “My mother would make heart shaped chocolate lollipops and set them at our bed to surprise us”
    • “I felt like it was a dumb commercial holiday, but when my kids were tiny we started “lovefest”. I make them each a handmade Valentine. It sits by their plate at dinner. We go around the table and everyone says what they love about each person. My teenage boys act like they HATE it! But they get the sweetest embarrassed smiles through the whole thing.”

    For the partner or loved one

    • “My husband does at-home spa night for me and pretends to be a spa employee”
    • “We always celebrated my mom and I. A date, flowers, small gift, that sort of thing.”
    • “We do a fancy family dinner and candles and balloons and candy for all”
    • “We always celebrate it on groundhog’s day instead because we’re weird and it’s easier to find a sitter”
    • “Our Valentine’s date involves going together to pick out new cologne and perfume”
    • “We go to the ballet every year”
    • “Order Thai food and watch Princess Bride”
    • “As a kid and still, I always get a love note from my mom”
    • “Watching Notting Hill and slow dancing to our wedding song plus eating take out”
    • “No matter the day it falls on we take the day off and my husband I spend it together”

    Valentines Day Craft Roundup

    For others

    • “Send out a family Valentine’s Day letter instead of a Christmas card. Less hectic time of year.”
    • “I make handmade Valentines for my girlfriends. Usually a garland so they can decorate!”
    • “I like giving chocolate and a pretty card to girlfriends”
    • “I make little ornaments on cardstock with small bags of candy for friends”
    • “We wrap nice chocolate bars with Valentine wraps and hand them out to friends all day”Pink and blue house-shaped cookie boxes next to a green squiggly background and some heart-shaped cookies

    Valentine’s Meals

    • “Heart-shaped meatloaf”
    • “Breakfast for dinner! Pancakes with lots of toppings!”
    • “My mom used to make me brownies and cut them into hearts with cookie cutters”
    • “Artichokes and Cornish game hens for dinner. IDK why, but we did it once andkept it going.”
    • “Make heart-shaped pizza for dinner”
    • “Pink sauce pasta for dinner”

    Phew!!! Ok, that’s a LOT Of ideas! Remember, these ideas aren’t meant to overwhelm you. You don’t have to do any of them! Pick and choose what you want according to your interests and time constraints. What’s important is that you find something that works for you and is meaningful so it becomes a beautiful tradition.

    Let me know how it goes!

    All Our Paper Flower Tutorials

    Brittany
    -
    0
    All Our Paper Flower Tutorials

    Blooms for Bouquets

    There are so many things you can do with paper flowers, but you need to make them first! Mix and match these flowers for bouquets or let them stand alone. Either way, you can’t go wrong!

    Paper parrot tulips in cream, yellow, and red.Paper peony bouquet held by a person in a striped dressIcelandic Paper PoppyPaper hydrangeas in a white vase against a floral orange backgroundThe Exquisite Book of Paper Flower Transformationspaper daffodil on a cream backgroundA pink and blue space divided down the middle with flower bells in each color

    Find paper flower tutorials here: Sunflowers, Parrot Tulips, Peonies, Poppies, Morning Glory, Hydrangeas, Eden Rose, Daffodil, Paper Flower Bells, and Narcissus.

    Lots of flowers have stamens, and here you can make your own floral stamens for paper flowers.

    Bouquets

    I’m a big fan of paper wedding bouquets because they are long-lasting reminders of your big day. There’s no wilting here! I have loved making paper flower tutorials for all these bouquets.

    close up of a paper bouquet made of dahlias, roses, shamrocks, Mexican jasmine, and foliage.Paper Flower Wedding BouquetRoyal Wedding Inspired BouquetCinco de Mayo Wedding Bouquet

    Find tutorials here: Spring Wedding Bouquet, White Peony Bouquet, Royal Wedding Inspired Bouquet, and Cinco de Mayo Inspired Bouquet.

    Paper Flower Accessories

    Flowers add delicacy and magic to your fanciest events, but I’m all for wearing them in between big parties, too! These paper flower crowns and this corsage will have you searching for events because they’re so fun to wear! You can find paper flower tutorials for the accessories below.

    A paper shamrock and flower crown on a brunette girl's head against green and white wallpaperPaper Flower Bridal Hair PieceA little girl wears a paper flower crown and smells some little flowers.a floral crown on long, straight brown hairPaper Flower Corsage

    Find tutorials here: Shamrock Flower Crown, Paper Flower Bridal Hairpiece, Flower Girl Crown, Spring Paper Flower Crown, Paper Flower Corsage, Paper Flower Graduation Tassel, and Paper Poppy Pin.

    Home Decor Flowers

    Wreaths

    When I started adding paper flower wreaths to my doors, I made a huge discovery. Coming home to something beautiful makes a big difference! So add paper flower wreaths to your doors and start feeling OVERJOYED when you get to your home. I promise, it works for me!

    Paper daffodil wreath against a pink backgroundCrepe Paper Lemon WreathBrittany holding a wreath with floral accents cut from wallpaper.A hand reaches into frame holding a rainbow floral wreath

     

    Wreath tutorials here: Daffodil Wreath, Lemon and Blossom Wreath, Wallpaper Floral Wreath, Rainbow Flower Wreath, Paper Poinsettia Wreath, Palm Leaf Wreath and Pink Paper Blossom Wreath.

    Chandeliers and Mobiles

    I absolutely love what chandeliers and mobiles do to fill the empty space in a room. And come on, they look adorable. So do yourself a favor and hang one over your new baby’s crib! It will surely give you and baby some much needed delight amidst the lack of sleep.

    A maidenhair fern hangs from a wooden hoopA floral upcycled chandelier with paper greenery hangs over a party table. A paper mobile hangs in a white room with a cactusA colorful chandelier with a hanging Dala horse is i

    Mobile tutorials here: Paper Maidenhair Fern Mobile, Paper Flower Chandelier, Scandinavian Paper Mobile and Midsummer Dala Horse Mobile.

    Centerpieces

    Another way I love to incorporate flowers is through centerpieces. Because isn’t having company over the perfect excuse to make something with paper flowers?

    Paper flowers and colorful candles on a branchPaper tulips in an arrangement.

    Centerpiece tutorials here: Paper Flower Branch Candelabra, Spring Tulip Centerpiece, Rainbow Paper Flower Tablescape

    Potted Paper Flowers

    I love me a good potted paper plant. These little beauties are the perfect addition to any room, so what are you waiting for?

    Brittany holds a paper easter lily in a terracotta pot in front of her facePaper Christmas cactus in a white potPaper Medinilla plant in a grey spaceColorful paper plants in a grey roomPaper pansies in a distressed terracotta planter. They're placed on a stack of colorful books on a chair. In the background, you can see some red floral wallpaper and blue wainscoting.Magenta and purple hollyhocks made of crepe paper against a dark grey background

    Find tutorials here: Paper Orchids, Paper Foxgloves, Easter Lily, Christmas Cactus, Medinilla Plant, Pansies, Hollyhocks, Paper Flower Bells and more Paper House Plants.

    Parties!

    Cakes

    Another impeccable excuse to incorporate some flowers, do yourself (and your guests) a favor! If I had to guess, I’d say these flower-centric party decorations will do the trick perfectly.

    Floral Number Birthday Cake TopperPaper Kumquat and Quilled Flower CakeMidsummer Pole cake Topper

    Cake topper tutorials here: Floral Number Birthday Cake Topper, Paper Flower and Kumquat Cake Decoration, Midsummer Pole Cake Topper and 3D Paper Flower Gift Toppers.

    Backdrops

    DIY Crepe Paper Peony tutorialTropical Leaf and Hibiscus BackdropBrittany stands in front of a paper daisy-covered wall wearing a yellow dress.

    DIY paper poppy backdrop and pinPaper Tulip Backdrop

    Backdrop tutorials here: Crepe Paper Peony Backdrop, Tropical Leaf and Hibiscus Backdrop, Paper Daisy Backdrop, Paper Tulip Backdrop and Paper Poppy Backdrop.

    Garlands

    Isn’t spring the perfect time for a floral garland? Well, for your convenience, we have some lovely options that transition right into summer, too!

    Paper flower garlandPaper flower garland hangs over a rattan chair

    Garland tutorials here: Paper Flower Garland and Summer Flower Garland.

    DIY Daisy party hat

    And don’t forget this Daisy Party Hat tutorial!

    Holiday

    Holidays are the perfect time to get making a few flower-centric decorations. To help you out, here are our favorites:

    Valentines Day

    Brittany looks over her shoulder at the camera while wearing a pink, red, and white daffodil crown

    Wear this Valentine Flower Wreath on your head or decorate your door with it. Either way, you’ll be feeling festive and ready for the spring blooms that will pop up not too long after Valentines Day with this wreath!

    Halloween

    A mom wearing a paper flower costume and a daughter dressed as a mouse pose in their costumes

    Chrysanthemum Mom and Kid Costume

    Hannukah

    Gold, blue, yellow, and pink paper flower menorah

    Paper Flower Menorah

    Christmas

    This Christmas you can make holly large or small, as well as these really exciting poinsettia blooms.

    Paper Poinsettia FlowerDIY Paper Holly boughsGiant paper holly and paper berries hung around a big banister

    Poinsettia, Crepe Paper Holly, Giant Paper Holly Decoration and Amaryllis.

    More From Our Shop!

    Find more floral Lars materials on our shop. Here’s our Flowers Coloring Book, this sticker sheet, a whole collection of floral art prints, and more!

    Our Learn To Draw Flowers Course

    And don’t forget about our learn to draw flowers course! It’s the perfect companion piece to all these paper flower tutorials. And the great thing is, if you don’t have all the materials handy to make the tutorials right now, you can learn to draw them first! By the time your materials come in the mail, you’ll be a pro at drawing flowers and will be all ready to start making them.

    Three Ways to Fold Love Letters

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Three Ways to Fold Love Letters

    Three Ways to Fold Love Letters

    Writing a love letter is romantic and sweet and turns out, it was our number one post from 2022! You must be writing a lot of letters! But, of course, every love letter is ten times better in a cute fold.

    Remember that with all of these instructions, it’s much easier to reference our video below. I’m a visual learner! If I can see it, the written instructions make more sense.

    Origami Heart

    We couldn’t show you how to fold love letters without giving you a heart option–it’s a given. That being said, here’s the first of our three ways to fold love letters:

      1. Take a corner of the paper and fold it diagonally to the opposite side. You should see a triangle with an exposed strip of paper on one end.
      2. Unfold and repeat the first step on the other corner on the same end of the paper. Unfold everything and you’ll see a folded “X” on one end, and a narrow rectangle on the other.
      3. Next, fold the paper at the point where the two fold lines intersect, hamburger style. Unfold.
      4. Now you have the folds prepped. Flip the paper over and fold the paper along the folds. It will naturally want to dip in on the two sides. Gently push the two sides into the center. You’ll end up with a triangle shape with the two other sides folded neatly under. Note that there’s still a rectangle poking out at the bottom.
      5. Next, take the top layer of the triangle and fold the flap on the right over to the other side. Unfold and repeat for the other flap. You’ll end up with a nice seam in the middle of the triangle.
      6. Now, take the right point and fold it up to the top point. Repeat for the left point.
      7. The next thing to do is take both outside edges and fold them into the center.
      8. At this point, flip the paper half and fold the top flaps in half. Flip it back over and fold the bottom up until it meets the bottom point of the folded diamond section.
      9. Flip it back over now and fold both bottom points into the center.
      10. Now, take the top flap of the diamond and fold it down.
      11. You should have two pointed tips poking up from the top at this point. Fold them down, angling them out slightly, and tuck them under the fold that they’re on top of.
      12. Flip it over and you’ll see the final shape of your heart!

    Hexagon

    The second of our three ways to fold love letters is pretty simple with this hexagon fold. Here’s how to do it:

    1. First, fold your paper in half lengthwise, or hotdog style.
    2. Unfold, and fold both edges back into the center line you just folded.
    3. Now unfold one of the edges back out. You should still have one edge folded into the center.
    4. On that folded side, take the top corner and fold it down until the corner meets the edge that’s folded into the center.
    5. Now fold the top left corner down to the same point you folded the other edge to, making sure the folded edge meets that intersecting point.
    6. Keep working your way around the paper, with the next consecutive point folding into the center point.
    7. On the next fold, take the entire section of unfolded paper and fold it according to the pattern.
    8. Continue the pattern and fold another time.
    9. Now you should have a little lip of paper left over. Tuck this into the first fold of the hexagon and you’re done!

    Pull-Tab Envelope

    The last of our three ways to fold love letters is an origami envelope with a cute pull-tab envelope. It’s a classic, and makes for a sweet little package to unfold. Here’s how to make it:

    1. For this way to fold love letters, fold the paper hot dog style again, then unfold.
    2. Now, on the narrow edge, fold in the two corresponding corners so they meet in the middle. Do the same thing on the other side. It will now look like your paper has two triangles on each end.
    3. Next, take both outside edges on the long side of the paper and fold them into the center line.
    4. The next step is to take each end point and fold them neatly into the little triangles that were formed with the last folds you made.
    5. At this point, flip the paper over and write your love letter on the back (the side with no exposed paper edges).
    6. Now, fold the paper in thirds to hide the love letter.
    7. At this point there should be two nice little triangle pockets to slide in the corners of the top flap you folded over.
    8. Done! To open, simple pull on the little pull tab that appeared with the folds.

    More Inspiration

    Loved this tutorial with three ways to fold love letters?

    • Check out this post, which is full of DIY crafts that are appropriate for the love day.
    • And don’t forget about our sweet little DIY painted valentine box–you’ll need something to put your valentines in, too.
    • Bonus: you can help your kids make their own and they can bring one to school. If you’re wanting a quick valentine that’s also cute, check out this post and our shop.
    • We have endless options of adorable printable valentines!
    • Need gift ideas? Try our valentines gift guides for men and women.
    • And if you want ideas of what to do on Valentine’s Day, here are some Valentine’s Day activity ideas to get you started. Last but not least: try our paper heart wreath!

    valentine's day craft project

    Valentine’s Day Garland

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Valentine’s Day Garland

     

    Valentine’s Day Garland

    What better to bring in love day than a festive Valentine’s Day garland? Not much, in my opinion. It also goes perfectly with that festive gradient heart wreath we made a week ago! So do yourself a favor and take the decorating beyond your front door. Featuring a variety of Valentine’s Day appropriate shapes and fun pops of color, this garland is the perfect solution for cold, brown February.

    How to Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Garland

    Making this Valentine’s Day garland is seriously so simple. I mean, you don’t even need scissors if you have a Cricut maker! And if not, the shapes are simple enough that scissors are a good second best option. You do need a sewing machine, though it’s simple enough that even the most novice of sewers should be able to handle it.

    Here’s how to make your own Valentine’d Day garland:

    Prepping the Paper

    1. First, download the garland template found here.
    2. Upload the template into the Cricut design space.
    3. Now, using the paper colors of your choice, cut out the shapes using your Cricut maker. For thicker cardstock, we find it works best to use the glitter cardstock setting. We used anywhere from 50-80 shapes on each strand.

    Sewing Your Garland Together

    1. This part is so easy! To start, just leave a 10″ tail of thread, then sew the paper pieces together.
    2. Leave a 10″ tail of thread at the end.
    3. Repeat steps 1-2 for each shape in your garland.
    4. All done!

    How to Style Your Valentine’s Day Garland

    One of the things I love about this sweet garland is how versatile it is! You can hang it from practically anywhere, and customize how long you’d like it to be. Put it in a window, against a wall, over the table, along a mantle or a bannister. We love the way it looks hanging from the ceiling over a table setting! It’s so simple, but looks so bold, bright and colorful once its hung. It’s the perfect addition to a Galentine’s Day party, too, if you ask me. Just add some table games and party favors to your table and you’re all set!

    More Inspiration

    Remember, if you want even more ideas of how to host a Galentine’s Day party, consult our Valentine’s Day Activities post! Speaking of ideas, if you need DIY valentines crafts, check out these easy DIY valentines, this adorable valentine box,  or this paper heart wreath. Need valentines? We just released some brand new Harry Styles ones, along with these delicate doilies. And here’s a whole host of printable valentines from our shop! Oh, and here are two Valentine’s Day gift guides, one for men and one for women.

    How To Host a Galentine’s Day Party

    Brittany
    -
    0
    How To Host a Galentine’s Day Party

    How To Host a Galentine’s Day Party

    A few weeks ago, we wrote this post on Valentine’s Day Activities. We included some fun ideas for Galentine’s Day, too! But we couldn’t let Galentine’s Day come and go without some more details on how to host a Galentine’s Day party. More specifically, here’s how to host a Galentine’s Day party with Arlos cookies!

    Arlos Cookies

    As you may be aware, this isn’t the first time we’ve partnered up with Arlos Cookies. In fact, if you want to learn more about the founder, Luna Ellis, read this post! Luna’s helped make some fantastic projects happen, like these cookies inspired by our printable cookie boxes. We also partnered up to make these Valentines Gift Boxes featuring lovely, matching cookies. Well this year we get to feature her lovely cookies with some of our own printables that are perfect for hosting your Galentine’s Day party!

    Galentine’s Day Table Games

    The perfect way to host a Galentine’s Day party is with some table games. We have some very cute, Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day themed versions of a variety of games, including bingo, would you rather, and tic tac toe. All you have to do to make the magic happen at your own Galentine’s Day party is print them off, then find some cookies! We, of course, used Arlos. And can you believe it?! Luna made us the cutest little x’s and o’s you’ve ever seen for our tic tac toe board. They even match! We also took it upon ourselves to go ahead and use the cookies as markers for the other table games, and they worked splendidly. So wondering how to really wow your guests this Galentine’s Day? Printable table games with Arlos cookies!

     

    Conversation Heart Cookie Boxes

    Now, it wouldn’t be right to tell you how to host a Galentine’s Day party without party favors. And we were just thrilled to be able to use Arlos cookies yet again to fulfil that need! A few years back, we made some conversation heart cookie boxes. Arlos made some sweet little cookies to go inside! We’re in love. These little boxes are the perfect little packages to send home with your guests. Something cute and tastes good? Yes please!

    More Inspiration

    Remember, if you want even more ideas of how to host a Galentine’s Day party, consult our Valentine’s Day Activities post! Speaking of ideas, if you need DIY valentines crafts, check out these easy DIY valentines, this adorable valentine box,  or this paper heart wreath. Need valentines? We just released some brand new Harry Styles ones, along with these delicate doilies. And here’s a whole host of printable valentines from our shop! Oh, and here are two Valentine’s Day gift guides, one for men and one for women.

     

    Harry Styles Valentines

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Harry Styles Valentines

    Harry Styles Valentines

    We are ecstatic about these Harry Styles valentines. The best part is, they’re available in our shop! That means all you have to do is download, print and cut, and they’re ready to go. Oh and we wouldn’t leave you hanging without a candy option to pair with it. Fill up a little bag with sour patch watermelons and you’re all set for a Harry Styles-inspired Valentine’s Day. Be my watermelon sugar?

    Harry Styles-Inspired Style

    We couldn’t dedicate this post to Harry Styles without mentioning his style. I mean, come on. Harry Styles fan or not, he has undeniably good style. Those sweaters? Amazing pattern combos? Sunglasses? We’re sold. His style features iconic neons, bold color blocking and prints, plaids, a little feminine touch with the shoes and jewelry, and don’t forget those sweater vests. Oh, and did I mention those sunglasses? Transparent, bold colors and eccentric shapes are enough to leave any fangirl drooling. Thank you, Harry!

    If you’re looking for a little something inspired by Harry this Valentine’s Day, we have just the thing. Here’s a great place to start:

    Oh, and if you want to knit that iconic Harry Styles cardigan, JW Anderson released the knitting pattern. I mean, can you imagine???!?!?!?!!

    Here’s some yarn for you to choose from:

    Harry Styles Merch

    Don’t worry, if you’re lacking a little Harry Styles merch to go with your valentines, step right this way. Here are some options that will leave onlookers without a doubt that you’re a true fan:

    Wishing you all a very happy Harry Styles-inspired Valentine’s Day!

    More Inspiration

    Loved this post featuring our Harry Styles valentines and want to see more? Check out our other Valentine’s Day content! You can craft to your heart’s content with these lovely DIY valentines. Speaking of valentines, check out this post and our shop for endless options of adorable printable valentines. Need a box to put your valentines in? Our DIY painted valentine box is a spectacular option that doubles as a tissue box when you’re done with valentines. Oh, and if you’re looking for gifts for that special someone, you’ll definitely want to check out our Valentine’s Day gift guides for men and women. And here are some great Valentine’s Day activities!

    Doily Valentine

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Doily Valentine

    Doily Valentines

    It seems like the tradition of doilies for Valentine’s Day has been around forever. It might be that they seem to be everywhere at this time of year. Or maybe it’s just that they’re just so lovely. Either way, we decided to accept the challenge and make our own version! Now, I have to give credit where credit is due. One of our talented interns, Chelsea, tackled this project and I have to say she did a spectacular job! The perfect blend of delicate and unique, these are a breath of fresh air from your traditional, mass-produced doily.

    With the custom designs featuring floral motifs, these doilies are full of delicate whimsy. Add in the subtle hearts and intricate flourishes and it’s hard not to be convinced. Are you ready to learn how to make your own?

    How to Make a Doily Valentine

    1. First, upload your svg doily file into the cricut design space.
    2. Meanwhile, put your sheet of cardstock paper onto the adhesive cutting mat. We used yellow, silver, pink, orange, and teal.
    3. Next, select heavy cardstock paper type (this generally does a better job cutting through a regular weight cardstock).
    4. Press go and wait for the cricut maker to finish cutting the design!
    5. When the design has finished, gently pull it up from the adhesive mat. Make sure to go slow enough so it doesn’t rip. Use a scraper tool to remove the small paper pieces from the mat once the main sheet of paper is removed.
    6. Now, simply repeat the process until you’ve made the amount you’d like.
    7. You’re done! See how easy?

    What To Do With Your Doily Valentines

    I love that these doily valentines are as versatile as they are delicate and beautiful. You can leave them plain or write a sweet note on them. But you can also place them under a vase of flowers (real or paper) or candle or use them as a decorative element and tape some fancy chocolate to them. I mean, you could really pair them with anything festive and valentine’s-related and they would add a whimsical touch of love to your gift.

    What are you going to do with your doily valentines? Let us know in the comments!

    More Inspiration

    Did you love this tutorial on how to make your own doily valentine? Well it turns out we have quite a few valentine’s-related posts that might be right up your alley! Interested in more DIY valentine crafts? Check out this post, which is full of DIY crafts that are appropriate for the love day. And don’t forget about our sweet little DIY painted valentine box–you’ll need something to put your valentines in, too. Bonus: you can help your kids make their own and they can bring one to school. If you’re wanting a quick valentine that’s also cute, check out this post and our shop. We have endless options of adorable printable valentines! Need gift ideas? Try our valentines gift guides for men and women. And if you want ideas of what to do on Valentine’s Day, here are some Valentine’s Day activity ideas to get you started.

    DIY Paper Heart Wreath

    Brittany
    -
    0
    DIY Paper Heart Wreath

     

    DIY Paper Heart Wreath

    To me, Valentine’s Day demands decorations that are beautiful and easy to make at the same time. We’re all back from the holidays, which means we don’t have as much down time as the blessed Christmas break gave us. This DIY paper accordion wreath is the perfect solution! Made with custom gradients that fold into hearts, it’s straightforward to make and the result is a lovely wreath of accordion gradients to get you in the mood for love day. I know I get so tired of seeing all the shades of brown, so this wreath is a breath of fresh air. Gentle pinks to welcome me in after a long day? Yes please! If you’re like me, tired of looking at all that brown outside, try this adorable wreath for a change.

    How to Make a DIY Paper Heart Wreath

    Without further ado, here’s how to make your very own DIY paper heart wreath.

    step photos

    Prepping the Hearts

    1. First, print off three copies of the pdf of our paper heart gradient printable found here. You should end up with 45 pieces of paper, each with a different gradient on it.
    2. Next, cut out each gradient.
    3. Start with one of the flat edges of the gradient and fold a thin strip in along the flat edge, roughly 1/4 inch wide.
    4. Continue stacking the folds back and forth, making an accordion fold as you go.
    5. Keep going until you reach the other flat edge. You should now have a long, thin strip of paper about a 1/4 inch wide.
    6. Now, fold the stack in half.
    7. To complete your heart, hot glue the center together along the flat edge.
    8. When the glue is dry, pull the paper gently apart to reveal the heart shape.

    Prepping Your Wire Wreath Form

    1. To prep the wreath form, cut a long, narrow strip of pale pink crepe paper (about an inch thick).
    2. Now, wrap the crepe paper around your wire wreath form, securing with hot glue as you go.
    3. Continue until the entire wire wreath form is covered in a layer of crepe paper. Add an extra layer if you’d like it to be a little thicker.

    Assembling Your DIY Paper Heart Wreath

    Now you’re ready to assemble your DIY paper heart wreath!

    1. Using your hot glue gun, place a dab of glue on each heart and press onto the crepe paper-covered wreath form.
    2. Continue until the wreath is completely covered and as full as you’d like. For our wreath, we ended up using only 35 of the 45 hearts, but if you’d like, you can always make it a bit more full and add in all the hearts. And you can always add a fancy ribbon, like we did.
    3. Voilà! You’re done with your beautiful DIY paper heart wreath!

    accordion heart wreath

    Styling Your Wreath

    As you probably already know from past wreaths we’ve made, you don’t have to limit your wreath decorating to the front door. Yes, any door is a great place for a wreath, but it’s not your only option. Have a blank spot of wall handy? Fill in the gap with your heart wreath! Outdoor, indoor, against a window, in an area of the house that’s a little sparse on decorations, there are so many options.

    We would love to see what you do with your beautiful DIY paper heart wreath!

    More Inspiration

    Loved this tutorial on how to make a DIY paper heart wreath? You’ll probably love our other Valentine’s Day content! You can craft to your heart’s content with these lovely DIY valentines. Speaking of valentines, check out this post and our shop for endless options of adorable printable valentines. Need a box to put your valentines in? Our DIY painted valentine box is a spectacular option that doubles as a tissue box when you’re done with valentines. Oh, and if you’re looking for gifts for that special someone, you’ll definitely want to check out our Valentine’s Day gift guides for men and women. And here are some great Valentine’s Day activities!

    Valentine’s Day Activities

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Valentine’s Day Activities

    Galentine’s Day Activity Ideas

    As you are probably aware, Galentine’s Day has a special place in our hearts. What started out as a classic Parks and Rec joke has since become an iconic tradition for women all over. And is it really that hard to see why? Everyone should be cherished and loved for who they are, whether they have a significant other or not. Galentine’s Day is a special opportunity to share the love so it’s not a glum holiday for anyone who won’t spend Valentine’s Day at a fancy restaurant, staring dreamily across the table at their significant other.

    Galentine's Day party

    We’ve done a few different things with Galentine’s Day in the past, like this and this. We also wrote a post a few years back with lots of fun Galentine’s Day activities, which you can read more about here.

    Here are a few more suggestions we’ve dreamt up since that last brainstorm post of ideas:

    Craft Night

    A craft night is the perfect thing to do with the gals on Galentine’s Day. It’s fun, interactive, and you get to bring home some lovely memoirs, too. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of easy DIY valentines, like our valentine face boxes, that are just the thing for a Galentine’s Day craft night. Another absolutely adorable and timeless valentine we recently made and are obsessed with are our Hand and Heart Love Tokens! You won’t regret adding them to your list of Galentine’s Day activities. Also, try wrapping a candle or chocolate bar to send home with the gals.

    galentine's day gift boxes

    Speaking of making DIY valentines, why not make this sweet little valentine box to put them in?

    Spa Night

    We could all use one, right? Galentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to stop putting it off and actually make it happen! Here are some must-have spa items you’ll want to stock up on:

    Game Night

    We wouldn’t say no to a night of games with the gals. Try our printable Valentine’s Day song bingo, or our Valentine’s themed tic tac toe. Or here’s an assortment of a few different printable table games!

    Party Favors

    Send your ladies home with a sweet little package of party favors! Some of our favorites from the shop include these heart hair ties, ombre spiral hair ties, these wooden heart clips, valentine’s themed pins, and these adorable Valentine’s Day stickers.

    And here are some other sweet little party favors to include!

    Valentine’s Day Activities For Kids

    We don’t want your kiddies to feel left out on Valentine’s Day. I mean, aren’t they the most precious of all? In our post where we listed Galentine’s Day activities, we also mentioned some great ideas of things to do with your kids from the team here at The House that Lars Built.

    Crafts

    Obviously crafts make it onto every list of activities we ever make. As with Galentine’s Day, we think this post of easy DIY valentines is great for all ages, kids and adults alike. Sit down with your little ones and help them make valentines for school with these sweet cherry tootsie pop valentines or paintbrush valentines. Then help them decorate their own valentine box!

    Becca's Top 15

    Printables

    If you’re looking for a craft that doesn’t require too much time and energy but is still perfect for Valentine’s Day for your kids, check out our little food pun valentines! Eggs, Frogs, Veggies, there’s something for every kid. Oh, and don’t forget about these cute as a button valentines or these other clever pun variations.

    Games

    Speaking of printables, we have some fun valentines games that are perfect for little ones available in the shop! We love these coloring placemats for a variety of ages, as well as this assortment of table games–just print them off and you’re ready to play. It includes bingo, tic tac toe, would you rather, and those sweet coloring placemats.

    Write Love Letters

    Encourage you kids to write little letters to those they love! Don’t worry, you don’t have to scare them off the dating scene in the 3rd grade. Have them write notes to siblings, parents, grandparents, teachers, or friends. For those who are far away, print off these little love postcards to send. And see our shop for endless options of printable valentine cards your kids can write their notes on.

    printables

    Bake Together

    I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed that baking always tends to be a big part of Valentine’s Day activities. Get together and make some conversation heart sugar cookies to put in these little conversation heart cookie boxes. If you’re in the mood for cupcakes, these and these are both great options for some sweet little cupcake toppers. Or, go all out and bake a Valentine’s Day cake. Complete it with this lovely cake topper! For inspiration, can you believe how intricate and delicate these beautiful cookies are?! A few years back, Arlos cookies was kind enough to collaborate with us to make the valentine cookie magic happen.

    Strawberry Heart Cake Topper

    More Inspiration

    Loved this post on Valentine’s Day Activities and need more valentines-related ideas? See our gift guides for men and women and get some gift ideas for your S.O. this year.

    Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Men

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Men

    Fancy Meets Functional

    First on our Valentine’s Day gift guide for men is that perfect blend of fancy and functional essentials. If you ask me, these are things every man wants but rarely thinks he needs. Everyone needs a wallet, but who says it can’t be beautiful and leather? Does your S.O. travel? Gift him a shiny new duffel that doesn’t have old drink stains on it or crumbs in the pockets. A new pair of nice shoes also adds a nice touch. Since men are shorter on accessories than women, why not treat him to a new essential that has a fancy flair, like this watch? And speaking of fancy, who says men can’t wear jewelry?

    An Outfit Refresher

    Am I the only one who feels like if I don’t shop for my husband he won’t buy anything for himself? He would wear the same five shirts every day for 10 years if I didn’t have anything to say about it. He’ll be as happy about his new wardrobe as you’ll be, which is why this could almost be considered an essential item on our Valentine’s Day gift guide for men.

    Pamper Him

    Though the beauty industry heavily targets women, who says men don’t need a little pampering? So instead of him dipping into your designated creams and lotions, why not get him his very own? If he has a beard, a little beard oil or a beard grooming kit won’t go awry. And if he’s clean shaven, a new electric razor will be a godsend. A little cologne will be an unexpected surprise, too, especially if he generally doesn’t spend much money on himself. Make him feel special and taken care of!

    Get Cozy

    Speaking of pampering, what S.O. doesn’t need to put their feet up and relax after a long day? There’s no better way to really relax and unwind than to ditch your daytime attire and kick back with a whole host of cozy accessories. Let him slip his feet into some fluffy slippers, don a pair of brand new pjs, and snuggle up with a blanket while you both watch your favorite show.

    For His Hobbies

    Last on our Valentine’s Day gift guide for men is a little something for his hobbies. Give your S.O. a reason to enjoy his hobbies this year! Does he love the outdoors? Maybe his tent could do without the holes. If he’s a whiz in the kitchen, cooking or grilling supplies would be a perfect gift. Use your imagination and get him something that brings out his inner child! Chess sets, portable camping games, the list goes on.

    More Inspiration

    Well, ladies, if you’ve loved these ideas for hubby gifts, you may be interested in what we have to say about you. Head over to our “hint hint, hubby” gift guide to help your S.O. decide what to get you this Valentine’s Day. Love is a mutual thing, so gifts should be, too.

     

    123...7Page 1 of 7
    © 2020, The House that Lars Built. All rights reserved.