Easy and Inexpensive DIY Valentines for Kids {with printables}

Valentine's Day is one of my favorites. I love doing little things to let my husband and kids know that they are loved. We don't spend a lot of money on extravagant gifts, but you can make the people in your life feel special spending little to no money.

One of the ways I like to make Valentine's Day special is to make our own valentines to pass out at class parties. Now DIY valentines will almost definitely cost more than buying a $2 box of cards from the store. But you can make your own without breaking the bank.

I made my 3 school aged children's valentines today and spent roughly $10 on all 3 sets. I'll show you how.

 This first one is what I made for both boys. (It's somewhat difficult finding Valentines for boys.) You could fill the bags with goldfish, like I did, or swedish fish, or even gummy worms. I already had the bags at home, but I think you can get a package of 50 for $2.50 if my memory serves me correctly. I bought a big box of goldfish from Sam's Club for $10.68. I used 1/3 of the box making the cost around $3.50. If your bags are bigger than mine, you will naturally use more causing the cost to be a little higher.

 To assemble, print off the tags found here, fill the bags with goldfish (or your treat of choice), then fold the top of the bag over and staple on the tags.

The next Valentine that I made is for my girl. I had to pick up something from Dollar Tree today, and I saw these packages of Valentine bubbles- 8 in a pack. I remembered seeing a bubble Valentine on Pinterest, so I bought 3 packages of the bubbles.

When I got home, I found the printable I wanted to use. You can find the printable here. I also picked up some washi tape to hold the bubbles in place on the card. The washi tape was $2.88, but you could use an inexpensive ribbon by punching holes on either side of where the bubbles will go. So simple.

Are you a DIY Valentine momma (or daddy) or do you prefer store bought cards? What are some homemade Valentines you have made in the past?

DIY Valentine's for Kids

DIY Valentine Round-Up (The Best of Pinterest)

How many of you moms like to send homemade valentines to school rather than the generic ones from the store? That's me. It's one of my favorite things of the entire school year. I scoured Pinterest looking for the cutest, most creative ones I can find...also the inexpensive...this is important too.

Well, if you are like me, and just LOVE sending your child with the best  a thoughtful, homemade valentine, then you have come to the right place.

I have rounded up for you, what I think is the best of Pinterest. So let's dive right in, shall we.

1.    http://mamachallenge.blogspot.com/2014/01/go-go-squeez-applesauce-valentines.html

This is my favorite! Go Go Squeez Applesauce with free printable that says "Thanks for being Awesomesauce!"  Love.

2. http://onecreativemommy.com/frozen-olaf-valentines/ If you have seen the movie Frozen, you will love this one! Put together a snowman resembling, Olaf, from the movie, and attach the free printable saying "You're worth melting for!"  Adorable!

3. http://www.thebensonstreet.com/2014/01/16/easy-printable-minion-valentine/ Who doesn't love the minions from Despicable Me? Well, some of you may not...but if you do....this one is for you! You will have to do some cutting and pasting, but not too complicating. Click the link for the free heart printable.

4. I could not find a link for this one. But making this one should simple. You can make a heart template in Word and type in the words, "You make my heart glow." Voila!

5.  http://www.yellowpearphotography.com/2012/01/valentine-roundup.html  This is a word find made up of all your child's classmates names. Clever! Attach a pencil and you are good to go.

6.  http://tatertotsandjello.com/2011/02/guest-project-love-juice-valentines-day.html    "Love Juice" Attach printable to bottle of water then attach a flavored drink mix. Very cute!

7.  http://twoyellowbirdsdecor.blogspot.com/2012/02/school-valentines-treats.html  I love this one for its simplicity. Buy a bag of starbursts, place in bag, attach printable, done.

8. http://apples4bookworms.blogspot.com/2013/02/happy-valentines-day.html This is one for the teachers. The printable says, "My love for learning has grown EXPO-nentially, having you as my teacher."  Attach to Expo brand dry erase markers.



9. http://mydigitalcreations.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentine-tag-freebie-i-was-soapin.html And another one for the teacher. Attach printable that says, "I was soapin' you'd be my valentine" to a bottle of soap. Teachers will love it!



And there you have it! The best of the best...in my opinion. Hope you are able to benefit from my hours spent on Pinterest. :-)

Let me know which ones are your favorite...or share your favorite with me that isn't on the list!

Super Easy and Inexpensive DIY Christmas Gifts for Classmates {with printable}

I procrastinated. 

Actually, I wasn’t really planning on doing this at all until I started browsing Pinterest and I stumbled upon this super-simple idea for a classroom Christmas gift. It was too easy to pass up. 

So I assembled these this morning for my daughter to pass out at her classroom Christmas party on Friday.

Yes, you still have time to make these.

All you need is :

• ·         Jolly Ranchers

• ·         Small treat bags

• ·         This free printable tag

• ·         Ribbon

I placed 5-6 jolly ranchers in each bag. Tied it up with ribbon and the gift tag (which reads “Have a holly JOLLY Christmas”). I will have my daughter sign her name to the back of the tags when she gets home from school.

This will also make a good gift for my husband to give to his students.

Easy. Inexpensive. Done.

This idea was adapted from  simple as that blog.

Mother's Day DIY gift

Yes, I realize Mother's Day is this weekend...as in 3 days away. A little late to be doing a post on MAKING a mother's day gift. Who has time to make something now?!! But my husband is making this with his students in class today to give to their mothers tomorrow. I didn't want the surprise to be spoiled in case any of those mothers are reading this. So mothers of Mr. Pettiette's students, click away now. Shoo. Quit reading.

Now the rest of you procrastinators...don't worry...this is easy peasy. And this is a great DIY gift that can be given for any occasion.

Sugar Scrub (Just like Mary Kay Satin Hands!)

Ingredients: 
2 cups sugar
4 Tbsp Dawn Ultra Hand Renewal with Olay

That's it. Just those 2 ingredients. I found containers at the Dollar Tree to put the scrub in.

How to Make:
Pour sugar into container. Then the soap. Stir. The mixture should be peanut butter consistency. You can add more soap, but if you add too much it will become watery. So add the soap a Tbsp at a time until it becomes peanut buttery like. But don't eat. It is soap. Doesn't taste like peanut butter.

It's that simple. And I tried it out. It really does leave your hands feeling soft like Satin Hands.

I added these labels that I found on Pinterest. But I just found these labels that I like better.

Note: There is a generic Dawn soap available. I used the name brand since the PTO was putting up the money and I wasn't sure if the other would work as well. If you have tried the generic let me know. I'm all for saving a dollar!