my little valentine

I'm not so into heart shaped boxes of chocolates or a dozen red roses, but I'm very much into these little guys.

Valentines day is here, and my little ones need something to drop off with their friends... preferably something cute and little and filled with candy. I was remembering some little Christmas matchboxes we did when I was at the Kids magazine, so we revamped them for Valentine's day. 

You can find little packs of matchboxes at the grocery store, I found mine near the cigarettes. They usually come in packs of 10 and shouldn't run you more than $1.50 or so. (Dump the matches out and save them for your next blackout.) Cut a piece of paper 2" high (or the height of your matchbox) and about 4" long (enough to wrap all the way around). I used a bit of tape to secure it on the back.

You can do these anyway you like. I love the portraits C drew of his friends at school (his idea).. They may all look the same at first glance, but he can tell you who each one is. I cut the paper down to the right size first, then wrapped it around the box after he was finished. For other matchboxes I used a little heart punch and glued a little bit of paper underneath. And some got a simple little band. 

Fill with candy (regular m and ms and candy corn will fit nicely), tuck in a little note, wrap with string if desired, and add a name tag or first initial. Then off to school!

Comments

[suzanne b.]

These are absolutely charming. :)

[Brooke]

Hi Noelle,
You can get the red and white twine (as well as some other lovely colors like red and pink) wherever they sell the Martha Stewart crafts line (I found mine at Michael's).. it comes in a pack of 6 colors.

[jess]

Amazing. Darling. Best Valentine idea I've seen all year! :)

[chloe]

So brilliant! I wish I hadn't already put my kids Valentines together - this would have been lovely to copy! Next year...:)

[Maraka]

I saw this in LMNOP magazine and was going to do a similar thing using Hugs and Kisses movie tickets I have. Though I love your twist on it as well. Might have to mix both. Only wished we could get the Valentines M&M's here in the the UK.

[Lindsey]

I came to your blog via Design Mom, and I love it. Love these V-Day crafts!

[Lucinda]

oh my! so amazingly cute! you never fail to amaze me with your creativity. I am so grateful you generously share with the rest of us!

[Dionne C]

These are so delightful!

[Sara]

SO cute. Only 2 days to go, though! I might not get any done. Thanks so much for the idea, and lovely photos! (Found you through Crafty Crow!)

[pam prussel]

Oh so cute! Your kid's friends are so lucky! Love these!

[chelsea]

thanks for your comment! I'm a little embarrassed you saw them- they are not nearly as cute as yours:) I had to use what I already had, so that meant plain paper, and leftover red garage sale stickers!! Thanks so much for the idea though, I'm definitely doing this as long as my daughter will allow:)

[rachel denbow]

What a lovely visual!

I'm adding this to a V-day post and linking back to you in a short while.

Thanks for such fabulous ideas. This really looks like a Martha Stewart cover.

[rachel denbow]

I previous commented that this looks like a Martha Stewart cover!

And then I read that you've already been there and done that! Ha!

I am excited to add you to my blog list to come back for more eye candy.

[lot.]

love this idea! the boxes are way too cute! just happen to discover your blog through design*sponge and i LOVE it! definitely your new fan!

[AmberLee]

These are fantastic. And how fun to open your own little box and find the surprise inside. I'll be sharing on my blog. Thanks for a fun idea.

[savannah ben]

oh my gosh they are so cute Ive made this one before but I made mine different and I got award for it so ya

[Amy]

I am so glad you posted this! I was wanting to do something cute and unique for my son's classmates' valentines and the minute this photo opened up I KNEW this was it! I have done this for Halloween with black and orange papers. LOVE how cute they are in the bright, cheerful colors!

[Ann H]

too cute - and the colors are perfect. (guess I'm repeating a million commenters, but true dat!). Love em!

[leah reigle]

I'm in love with these, and with your blog, and all your cute ideas! Thanks for sharing you obvious talent.

[noelle]

thank you for the info about the twine. i've been reading your blog and i love it. any chance you have the pattern for your advent calendar....beautiful!! it has this old family christmas look which i love....felt always bring that simple/classic/tradition feel about things. oh, photobooths....why do they not have those everywhere? several years ago my husband and i, on our first anniversary spent the entire night trying to find one to mark the night...no luck. again, great ideas...you're house must be loads of fun!!