1. Set your own definition for homemade. Mine was that it's made in your home not that every single aspect has to be your child's own original work.
   
2. Buy a container of heart shaped foam stickers.
3. Buy a package of construction paper. Yes, you would assume that parents of small children would have this, but hey this blogger gives her kids computer paper for drawings. I personally recommend nipping the idea of only pink and red in the bud and focusing on how surely someone would love a valentine made from the black paper that always comes in packs of construction paper
4. Buy a pack of Valentine's stickers. I got a huge pack for $1.
5. Glitter pens add a nice touch. Do not however buy glitter unless you want to be finding traces of it for the next ten years. This is one aspect of crafting I have always remained firm about with my kids. I swear my parents are still finding glitter in the cracks of their kitchen table from my brother back in the 80's. Sure kids should use glitter...at preschool and at someone else's house
6. Try not to think about how much more money your "homemade" cards are costing than the cheap-o box of Valentine's at CVS even with a coupon.
7. Use the base of the foam container to trace Valentine's. Ours happened to be heart shaped which worked out great, but honestly the kids would have been happy with squares or circles
Cut out enough for each kid in the class. Place them on the table with crayons, markers and your new supplies and let them loose*. Tell them to make sure each paper is decorated.
8. Drink a cup of coffee and just relax. No really, don't try to tell them how to decorate their cards. It's their project after all. Just be glad you used construction paper instead of computer paper because it's sturdier for all the decorations aka glitter glue.
   

Labels: Crafts, Holidays