Valentine's Treats 2009

I got organized to create something fun for Max's class this year almost an entire month before Valentine's day.

....And then three days before the party the class decided to have a "green" valentine's day meaning no individual valentines. Classic.

Instead they're each making one big valentine and every kid is saying something nice about everybody else on their valentine. How "green"...(no really it's a great idea and probably saved a bunch of parents a lot of time and saved the earth a lot of garbage.) (BUT STILL.)

I sent Max with his treat because I wasn't finding 28 random people to give valentines to from my kid.

I was inspired by this gumball idea at les petits presents (excellent inspiring site, fyi).

I started out by browsing my favorite packaging site, SKS Bottle and Packaging. I was drawn to the metal boxes at the site, not the cheapest option, but I got 48 hinged "Altoid-Like" boxes for $31. I used 28 of them and I'm sure I'll find other little projects to use them for.

Logan made the stickers and I picked up gumballs at the party supply store, a large jar of them for $10. You can get them in bulk for less but then you've got 850 gumballs. Though I don't know, I loved looking at our gumballs in a jar on my counter.

After I placed my order I found these square plastic boxes that were much less expensive than my boxes. I love the clear plastic so that you have colorful little packages to pass out. You can find a pack of 50 boxes here for just $12. Slap a label on the front and you're done.

I put the Happy Valentine's Day stickers on the front.

The inside was filled with gumballs (which I carefully placed so there was a nice distribution of color)(could have used more yellow)(stop looking at me like that).

Under the gumballs is the punchline. "You blow me away! From, Max!"

It looks complicated but really wasn't. Next year I'll revamp the label and give you all a downloadable PDF.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Comments

[Amy]

how cute is that??? Love it!!

[suzi]

Love these! Such a cute idea. :)

[christy]

Adorable! That makes my little printed robot valentine look super lame-o.

[Katie Boyle]

Love it! Adding it to my ideas for next year!

[Angela]

Cutest Valentines Ever. (And thanks for the heads up on SKS. I shall now fill my house with containers.)

[Jules]

You're so creative, these are unique and so cheery!

[Katie Boyle]

Any chance a pdf can be shared? Pretty please Logan.

[Angela]

Cute! Isn't it great to have a graphic designer for a husband? I don't know what I'd do without mine.

[Melissa Summers]

I'll definitely have one for next year.

[kay]

That is so creative and adorable. I think the teacher will also approve of the 'green' aspect of this treat since the metal box can be repurposed for holding all kinds of treasures. Way to go you!!

[dayment]

So. Awesome!!

[Lisa V]

This would be an easy thing for a goody bag for a birthday party too.

[Kim]

Awesome!

[Yolanda]

Adorable. Simple. But one of a million ideas I’d never come up with on my own, but will gladly steal!

[Miss Elizabeth]

These are so rad! You do know that his whole grade is gonna have a crush on him, right?

[Celeste]

I'm normally a lurker but just had to comment today. These valentines are so darn cute!! I love the idea.

[Carrie]

Fantastic idea. My daughter's school does not allow any candy at all. ever. So maybe next year I'll do something like this with some other sort of prize inside. Hmm... Love the little boxes.

[Melissa Summers]

The kids at our school are wild about these little pencil topper things called Squishies. If you find an online source you can get 50 ish of them for under $15. You could put those in the little containers (2...) then the kids can collect theirs in the little boxes.

Sent from my iPhone with fat fingers on tiny keys.

[Torry]

Lovely, thanks for posting such a fun, easy idea - a fun dinner party treat! And two thumbs up for using 'non-valentiny' colours :)

[Amanda]

Awesome. Best mom ever.

[Sadie at heyMamas]

I absolutley LOVE this idea. So adorable and chic...and simple {well probably not for you but it appears really simple}!!

Love it.

Sadie at heyMamas

[amy]

Really cute. Serious awesome momness!

[Cookie]

You have GOT to be kidding me. A green Valentine's Day?! How sucky is that? Why do these loser parents have to ruin all the great holidays for our kids? Valentine's Day is about paper--sorry! Big red and white paper hearts! It's bad enough what passes for kids' valentines these days anyway. You know, those little folded crappy things. My daughter actually handmade every valentine for her class this year and loved it.

Anyway, these PC parents need to be stopped. NOW!

[Melissa Summers]

It was actually pretty cute they each made a heart and decorated it...ten everyone signed it with a word that describes them. No two words could be the same so they learned a lot about synonyms.

Sent from my iPhone with fat fingers on tiny keys.

[Tracy Purrenhage]

OMG are those adorable. I wish I was so creative. Thinking about ordering the tins just to have them. Even though I'm not judging the green party contest, I would give you credit for these because the kids are so going to keep the tins (instead of paper valentine's being "recycled").

[Cookie]

They do the heart thing at my daughter's school on birthdays where everyone writes nice things about the birthday kid.

I do like the tin idea, though. Pretty cool.

[N.]

What a great packaging idea - we have a bunch of Altoid tins that someone gave to us. I have 4 more years of Valentine's-card-giving to do with my 5 year old so I'll be filing this idea away!

[Angela]

That is awesome. Good job - I'm sure Max's classmates thought he was the bomb.

[Jen]

Super cute. I'm totally stealing this idea! And by the way, I know another blog with great craft ideas - YOURS. You do all the work and I collect the ideas :-) Thank you! (Seriously, the New Years mini pinatas, loved that and I would never have attempted it if you hadn't showed me the way.)

[Marie Green]

I'm tooooootally doing this next year- what an awesome idea!

[angie]

I'm thinking this would be a GREAT idea as little thank you's for my graduation party...after all, there were many people who helped me through my going-back-to-college-and-got-divorced kind of year.
Fab!

[LizP]

Thank you for an amazing idea! And another blog to read :-)

[kris]

i would have no problem with them having a 'green' (how pc) valentine but to wait until 3 days before to tell you? i think not. i bought my sons stuff at least a month out. it just encourages people who never plan anything and discourages those who actually do plan out stuff. your idea was assume and green and way more creative.

[cindy]

Um, Valentines Day 2010 right?

[Melissa Summers]

Haaaaaaaaa!
Oops!

Sent from my iPhone with fat fingers on tiny keys.

[Blabbermouse]

Oh my god! WHAT IS THIS?? A craft I can actually DO? That does not require me to "bake love into every square". I love this. What a great way to replace the traditional birthday party goody bag. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I love this.

[Carrie Ann]

That's adorable!!! You're a very cool mom. Max will remember that forever. Thanks for useful mom idea, btw!

[a.]

A green Valentine's day? Teachers can suck it.

(I am a teacher.)

[jessica]

So cute, Melissa. Bookmarking for next year though I'm sure I'll find a reason to use this sooner.

[p/f]

That's cute, but what about your gorgeous dog?

[A]

Would also make a cute party treat you crafty gal you!

Loving the dog :)

[rb]

you could use the extra tins for gifting gift cards at the holidays, tied with some festive ribbon they'd be perfect, and cheaper than 'gift card holders' at Target!

[HouseofJules]

This is such a fab idea... and not only that, I totally appreciate that link to a reputable container source! Thanks, Melissa!

[Erin]

Adorable! thanks for sharing...I am going to use this idea for my daughter's bday!

[Ageekymom]

Here's an idea for your extra tins - http://is.gd/8NHhF