Channel your inner Saint Valentine

I’ve seen a few Facebook posts from parents and grandparents showing their valentine box-making adventures recently, and just this morning we printed some artwork for one NR-S student’s valentine box.

I can’t help but smile and cringe at the same time. I’m not particularly good at crafting valentine boxes, and I remember struggling to help my kids execute their ideas.

I like wrapping presents, so the best I could come up with was to wrap an ample-sized box using the back side of some Christmas wrapping paper to create a “clean slate” on which to decorate. Then I picked up glittery foam shapes, particularly hearts, lips, letters and other valentine-esque pieces, from the discount store, and then the girls got to glue them on the box wherever they wanted. We used the letters to spell their name on the top.

Genius, right? Maybe not, but we sure had a good time working on them together. It was like “bedazzling” for amateurs. And no, I never bought one of those things. It sounded great in theory, but I never got to have one when I was a child, so why would I start as an adult?

You could say when it came to valentine boxes, I didn’t have much of an imagination. And even if I did come up with a good idea, the execution left a lot to be desired. My husband was much better at making valentine boxes than I was, thank goodness.

My love-hate relationship with valentine box-making began when I was little. I remember learning how to cut out hearts in grade school by folding a piece of paper in half and free-hand cutting a half heart with a pair of plastic scissors while being careful not to cut the folded side. Easier said than done.

Don’t get me started on scissors. I went to kindergarten not knowing how to properly use one. I think mom was scared I’d cut myself (or my hair). Well, she was right to worry about that, because I did … just weeks before my aunt’s wedding. I ended up looking like a 6-year-old version of Billy Ray Cyrus in my debut as a flower girl. But I digress.

I came across a post this morning about how families are looking for experiences rather than stuff, namely toys. The poster showed a room full of forgotten toys and appealed to her loved ones to give time and attention rather than toys.

I like the sound of that for Valentine’s Day this year. My husband usually has to remind me to get something for the kids, and it’s always at the last minute. I remember one Valentine’s Day when I happened to be home from work with a sick kid. I had the chance to score some fun gifts when I went to the pharmacy for antibiotics. Then, while she was napping, I emptied out the art supply drawer and spent all afternoon putting together fun packages for all three.

Now, my schedule doesn’t allow such idle time. I don’t even get to stay home when I’m sick, much less take a day off when one of the teenagers gets the flu. Last year I stopped at the Flower Scent-R on Valentine’s Day before I headed to work in Carrington and picked out one of their cute candy and pop bouquets for each kid and had them delivered to the school.

This year I’m opting for experiences over stuff, and I’ve found that there are plenty of opportunities to spread kindness and love this Valentine’s Day. For example, most restaurants are doing a special meal, and they aren’t all on Valentine’s Day. If you aren’t able to take the time on a Tuesday night, pick another day that better fits your schedule to observe the holiday.

Here are a few more ways to channel your inner St. Valentine:

● Show a little local love. Local businesses have a lot to offer on Valentine’s Day. However and with whomever you choose to commemorate the occasion, whether it be with a bouquet from a local florist, a shirt that says “Wine is my valentine” from Lioness, a conversation heart bath bomb from Clean Little Boy Soaps, or a night out for dinner and drinks, seek out a local merchant.

● Give in honor of a loved one. Several area organizations participated in the Giving Hearts Day fundraiser last week. This annual giving campaign was built around the Valentine’s Day holiday, to encourage people to show a little love to their favorite charity. If you missed it on Feb. 9, I’m sure that any local charity would graciously accept your donation of time, money or goods on Valentine’s Day just the same. If you donate time, bring along a loved one and share the experience.

● Make Valentines for Vets. I got started with this program through the First Lutheran Church in New Rockford. Congregation members gather and make handmade valentines to distribute to veterans. For a couple of years, our 4-H club partnered with the church, and the 4-H families made valentines with the WELCA. It was a great experience to share, and I’m sure the valentines were well-received.

On a related note, kudos to the NR-S FCCLA for bringing back the Hearts and Kisses fundraiser. A great tradition started by a few senior students during Mrs. Gail Weisenburger’s tenure in the 1980s, this is a great way for students and staff to spread kindness on Valentine’s Day. I wrote a feature story about this for the Transcript five years ago, and I went back to read it again last night. The part I love the most: FCCLA members are encouraged to purchase extra hearts and kisses to make sure that every student gets at least a handful on Valentine’s Day. Most students get a bag full of kisses and a stack of valentine cards to help them feel special.

What a great way to use the “day of love” to spread a little kindness and show a little love to everyone around us.