Valentine's Day Gift Boxes

If you let it, Pinterest can really intimidate you. If you let it then it'll make you think you are the only one out there who doesn't make your child's lunch look like a work of art with owl-shaped sandwiches and melon cut with letters of the alphabet, that you are the only one who doesn't make felted slippers for your friend's new baby, and that you are the only one who doesn't make furniture out of reclaimed wood pallets. I think some people go on Pinterest and have similar feelings as those. I know that it's really people who create these things as an outlet while their kids are napping or are at school or who have blogs for businesses and get paid to be creative. They don't all fall into those two categories though.

For me, being creative and doing crafty things makes me so happy. I like doing it for myself, and I like doing it for my family. I have had many friends in the years past tell me they are not creative. I have a lot to say about that which I will not get into on this post - maybe some other time when I'm thinking about it again and want to share my thoughts on the subject. ;) But I do want to say this: I think God made us all creative in some way whether it's problem solving, a musical talent, cooking, helping others not think about their problems, etc. Creative does not equal artsy stuff.

One thing I had pinned and wanted to do for Valentine's Day a couple of years back (2013) involved a countdown to Valentine's starting the first of February. Kids like countdowns! We do an advent calendar every Christmas that is a favorite. This year I revived my "lunchbox cards" idea and gave them to them starting the first of December for a countdown. (I also shared it on our site, Countdown to Christmas Lunchbox Cards.) I think I may create something eventually for the kids for their birthday for a countdown. Well, on the other hand, I probably don't need to as they usually start their own countdown at least a month in advance!

Here's the image I had found on Pinterest:

via How Does She?

The problem was that I could NOT find any of these cute little mailboxes. None at Hobby Lobby or Michael's. Those are my only two choices in our area. I did look at Walmart (just in case) too with no luck. So I made do with what I did find and went with it - embossed paper mache boxes.

I tried to play with the embossed parts and the paint. I mixed some browns for the first box trying to get a "chocolate" brown color. After I painted several coats and let it dry, I used a makeup sponge and very little red paint to lightly rub across the embossed area trying to just hit it the high points. As you can see I had a little too much paint on a few places. I also used the red for the top edge of the box lid. 

I used scrapbook paper from my stash to put inside both boxes which I painted first. For the bottom heart box I painted it white first (a couple of coats) and then red (another couple of coats). Using a fine grit sanding block, I sanded off off the red to show the white underneath in a few places with some light swipes. Both projects went fairly quickly. The paint dried quickly. Probably the slowest part was cutting the paper to fit inside which I adhered with Mod Podge. I also applied a top coat of Mod Podge to help seal the paper.

The kids loved them and that's what counts. ;) They enjoyed seeing each day what "Cupid" was going to leave them. I called myself "Cupid" which they thought was pretty funny. I'd say, "Looks like Cupid has been by" or "Oh, I think Cupid has left you something!" LOL

The boxes did take a little bit of a beating with the constant on and off of the lids. I wish I hadn't put paper inside the inner edges of the lid since it was sort of tight and rubbed some. It would probably do good to put another coat or two of Mod Podge on it.

Things I put inside the boxes included little treats such as packaged muffins, gum, Mentos, Hershey kisses, etc. Yes, mostly junk food which meant that "Cupid" didn't arrive most days until after dinner.

It has been just another way to show my kids I love them and to do something fun for Valentine's Day especially since they are not in traditional school but are homeschooled. Hey, even though both my kids are teens now, they like surprises and do appreciate my thoughtful gestures like this.

There are lots of creative ideas for Valentine's on Pinterest that you could incorporate into this project. Here are a few...

via BHG

via zakkalife

via make-it-do

via cookingontheside

DIY scratch-off cards via patandlindsay

via SkiptomyLou

If you do not like to give your kids candy then do vegetables and fruit and wrap little strips of paper on them that say things like, "Orange you glad I'm your mom?" or "There's no raisin I wouldn't love you!" You could include a ticket to go out for pizza and write, "You got a pizza my heart." Here's a link with lots of other funny Valentine's Day puns you could use.

This idea can be used for any special person in your life - your spouse, nieces/nephews, grandchildren, friends, etc. Hey, even adults like little surprises like this. It does not have to be a countdown. Take the container idea and use it to hold a little Valentine's Day gift or take the fun ideas above to give to friends at work, church, or wherever.

I've allowed you two weeks before Valentine's Day to get the supplies and get crafty. Keep it simple or get elaborate. No matter what, I know your loved ones will LOVE your thoughtfulness!

Now GET CRAFTING!