Choosing or Making School Valentines

Traditionally, school children made the valentines they gave their classmates. Colored paper, paper doilies and scraps of lace would be transformed into heart-shaped greetings for each classmate and teacher. As manufacturing became more advanced and Americans more affluent, store bought cards became the norm for school children.

An intermediate step was the bound book version of valentines that could be bought in the early '60s. The cardstock in the book was preprinted with valentines that a child could cut out. Suggestions were given for gluing on lace trim or incorporating a piece of candy into the design. But by the early '60s, children preferred the already cut out cards.

Puns have long been popular as valentine humor, probably originating in the old hobby of collecting and trading written riddles. Verses like "We'd make a peach of a pear" still bring a smile. Originally, boxed valentines featured a variety of themes, such as cute animals and personified fruits and vegetables. More recently, children prefer valentines that feature their favorite characters from movies and television shows.

It is never too late, however, to resurrect the old craft of making valentines. While children might feel odd handing out homemade cards in a classroom setting, they might like to make them for their special adult friends, their parents, or perhaps their teacher. Crafting the cards makes an enjoyable project and gives a child a chance to express their feelings about people they care for.

An old-fashioned valentine card can be made from a simple piece of plain white paper. A piece of typing paper works, or it can be cut in half to form a smaller card. The finished valentine will be a rectangular shape. The paper is first folded in half one direction, and in half again the other direction. The outer edges are trimmed as desired and a straight line is cut diagonally across the folded corner. This creates a diamond shaped hole in the middle.

Next, this piece is folded diagonally, with the folded corners together, much like when one makes a paper snowflake. Hearts are cut along the diagonal line. Other diagonals can be folded and hearts cut. When the paper is unfolded, the designs are outlined with a line of pin pricks, creating a lacy look. Other lines of pin pricks make loopy curves in a pattern over the paper, and outline the scalloped exterior of the paper. Finally, the cut and pin pricked paper is glued on top of a piece of red or pink paper. A small romantic picture, such as of a rose or a Cupid, is glued in the middle.

Whether children decide to make or buy valentines, it gives them a chance to acknowledge special people. Any teacher or parent would be charmed by a sweet homemade valentine from a child in his or her life, but a cute or funny store bought card would serve the same purpose. Valentine's Day gives a shy child a chance to reveal her feelings.

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