Making an original Valentine's Day Card

The tradition of exchanging Valentine's Day cards goes all the way back to the Middle Ages, when lovers would sing or speak of their love. Writing your love down on paper became popular after the 15th century, especially in England. By the 1800s, factories were producing Valentine's Day cards, some made with real lace and ribbon. Today, despite the wide variety of cards available on the market, nothing says "I love you" like a hand-crafted card.

Making your own card, however, doesn't need to be difficult. Here are some tips:

• Find a piece of art you like. Cut it out and glue it to colored construction paper. Add ribbon, lace, sequins, or even buttons. Include a message, such as a favorite scripture or poem, with a personal greeting.
• Cut hearts from wrapping, scrapbook, or construction paper. Glue four hearts together to form a flower. Cut diamond shapes from green paper for leaves and attach. Glue a piece of wrapped candy inside the center of the "flower." For children, punch a hole in the top of the flower and run ribbon through it to make a necklace.
• Find a piece of art in a coloring book, such as an animal shape. Trace the shape onto construction paper. Cut it out. Decorate it with cut-out heart shapes, glitter, paper lace, ribbon, etc. Write your Valentine's greeting right on the animal shape.
• Take a pre-printed Valentine. Cut out the art. Using scrapbooking or colored paper as a background, paste the art around a personal message written in the center. Add ribbon, sequins, or other decorations to make the card even more special.

With just a little effort, you can make cards that express a love that is uniquely yours.

For more ideas, see Disney Family Fun.

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