Join PEACE PAL and Share the LOVE

Here is a simple craft for your kids to share with friends at home or school and help them spread peace, friendship and show understanding.

Make a rainbow for PEACE:
What you need: You can either have your children make a friendship bracelet or pin with rainbow colored ribbons or have your children draw a rainbow. On a piece of paper write the following poem and attach it.

A rainbow of ribbons
in colors so bright
for peace, for love
a world that shines bright

It's people are many
in the colors we see
of kindness and good
like you and like me

Send out this ribbon
show the world you care
about everyone in it
everywhere

Send this PEACE Poem and Ribbon to a Friend
© Judith Gorgone www.planetpals.com

Learn how you can to SAVE MONEY and SAVE EARTH This Valentines Day!

Saving money and the planet for the holidays can be easier with these simple tips!

These ideas and suggestions are just the beginning of things you can do for your pocket and Mother Earth. The biggest step of all is simply to cut down on the amount of things -- presents, decorations, and just plain "stuff" -- you buy.

That's hard. So, to help you cut down where you can, we have compiled one of the best list of tips on earth:

Cards:

• Use a vintage valentine in a style your friend appreciates.
• Cut up an old valentine and trim it with a heart shaped doilies
• MYO paper valentine
• Have kids draw one for Mom or Dad or Aunt Valentina
• Send an E greeting
• Consider choosing cards made
  of recycled materials, or even buying them from a charity that benefits the environment.

Gift Giving:

• Make it! Have a talent for baking, crocheting, knitting, artwork. stained glass or wood crafts? What could be nicer than a scarf on ones favorite color made by you?
• Choose or make gifts that are practical and consist of environmentally friendly materials.
• Make a gift basket tailored to the recipient. Home made cookie mix and baking pan, A lovely plant and garden tools, Vintage candlestick and candles. Be creative!
• Give the gift of an heirloom! Does your girlfriend admire your mother’s old picture frame or her old trinket box? Pass it on! Put a treat inside!

Wrapping:

• Use recycled or recyclable materials for packaging gifts; reuse a nice tin, box or gift bag
  
• Select uncoated gift wrap that can be recycled and/or burned safely.
• MYO Box-with patterns all shapes and sizes
  
  
  
  After
• Recycle all decorations
• Send Cards to St Judes (they take all occasions)
• Donate or freecycle unwanted items
• Regift if it's appropriate

Have a Valentines Party

Invite friends or couples

• Use heart shaped frames as name cards (put in a picture or the persons name in nice font or calligraphy)
• Set the table heart decorated tablecloth or fabric (save it for next year)
• Decorate heart shaped frames or frames with hearts add photos of you and your friends
• Make heart shaped foods (see the edible food crafts page)
• Decorate with hearts of all kinds (but please don't toss-use the 4 r's)
• Set the table with seedlings, plants, terrariums, and let guests take them home for gifts. (see the craft gardening page)

Say "I Love You" in Any Language

We want all our friends everywhere to be able to communicate--so we made this dictionary to help you. Whether the language is Amharic - Catalan - Danish; It's all there for you.

Read More--Say it now

PLANETPALS ACTIVITIES TPT Store

Be a Tree Hugger Make Your Own Card

Many ways to make recycled cards with photos using recycled materials, old cards, kids art etc (see ideas above) .or make it with home made paper from recycled papers...Paper Making Recipe

Make a Recycle Wreath - Valentine Decor You Can LOVE

Many ways to make Valentine Heart Wreaths From Recycled materials..learn .more

Drying Flowers...An Earth Loving Craft

The art of air drying flowers for use in homemade dried flower arrangements has been practiced for centuries. Flower drying is a wonderful way to learn appreciate one of the most beautiful species in our natural world. Flower drying can be a recycle craft by recycling books, phone books or silica gel. You can also try one of the other techniques listed learn more

Recycle Flowers!

Love Rocks for Valentines Day!

10 Painted Love rocks you will love for Valentines day and everyday....more

St Judes Recycled Card Program For Greener Holidays!

What can be greener than finding a place to recycle and reuse everything after the holiday? St Judes offers us a meaningful holiday card recycle option....read more

Free Activities for kidsclub members Sign up for our Kidsclub List and get exclusive activities only available to members in your email.

Planetpals Activity Books
Top Ten Toy: Planetpals Puzzle! Rated among top ten for this season! 5 puzzles available Learn more
Planetpals Products

We suggest you make decorations and gifts from recycled materials-It's the green way to go!

No matter what your holiday, one thing is certain, this is the time of year for gift giving. While thinking of others don't forget the planet! Here are plenty of ways to THINK green this holiday season.

Remember the 3 "r's: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

See our greatest list of green tips ever for the holidays

February 14: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is named after St. Valentine.

Valentine was a priest in Rome when Christianity was a new religion. The Emperor at that time, Claudius II, believed that married men would want to stay home with their families rather than fight his wars, so he ordered Roman soldiers NOT to marry . Claudius Valentine defied the Emperor's decree and secretly married many young couples.

Valentine was beheaded on February 14th for his practices,which was the eve of the Roman holiday Super critical which occurred Feb.. 15.

After his death, Valentine was named a saint. Hence,was the start of ah Valentines day, a day to give our loved ones a gift of cards, chocolate or just one filled with love.


Planetpals has a sweet gift for you to give! Pick up Valentine Print and Play Crafts to give it to a friend.

Valentines Day, White Day, Love Days Around The World

USA

In the United States of America, there have been many varieties of cards: from light hearted themes for friends to romantic lovers.

Today, American children usually exchange valentines with their friends and participate in a classroom party. Lovers exchange romantic motif cards, gifts, candy and perhaps night out. It is also a popular day for notable love events such as engagements and weddings.

Italy
Rome was where the holiday originated to celebrate San Valentino. It was a saints holiday.

One popular gift item in Italy is Baci Perugina – small chocolate-covered hazelnuts containing a slip of paper with a romantic poetic quote – kind of like an Italian fortune cookie for romantics.

England

England, the tradition of celebrating valentine is little different. There, the kids get dressed up like adults and sing songs.

Valentine's day tradition in Wales consists of exchanging wooden love spoons between the lovebirds. Heart carvings on spoons sell like real hot cakes and the purpose of these decorations is to express to the loved one that he/she is really precious.

Australia

In Australia, men are real romantic. In fact it has been seen that men are more enthusiastic about celebrating Valentines Day as compared to women. Read further to know about Valentine's Day world tradition…

Japan S. Korea

Women give chocolates to men only...and are reciprocated on White Day in March, when men give chocolates to women.

Women traditionally buy chocolates for the men on February 14th. Then, one month later on March 14th, the men return the favor and buy chocolates for the women that remembered them in February. March 14th is called The White Day and traditionally the chocolate given is white in color.

China

February 14th was Valentine's Day. In America, this day is very different from in China. In China, it is only boyfriend's and girlfriend's day, Boyfriends' and girlfriend's gifts mean a loving heart. If other people send gifts to each other, it only means friendship.

In school, boys and girls send many kinds of cards, change gifts, and send chocolate to each other. You can send any gift except red roses.

Denmark
The tradition in Denmark is known as Gaekkebrev. This tradition is where young couples write love poems, love notes, and other messages and send them to their sweethearts. The sender is not supposed to sign the notes, and instead writes their name with little dots on the paper. Then the recipient is supposed to guess the name of the sender. If the recipient is able to guess correctly, then they are rewarded with an Easter Egg later that year. An interesting way to combine holidays, no?

Brazil
Valentine’s Day in Brazil is not celebrated on February 14th; Dia dos Namorados is commemorated on June 12th. This day celebrates St. Anthony of Padua who is believed to bring good fortune on marriages. As with all celebrations in Brazil, the day is celebrated with lavish parties complete with beautiful costumes. You can easily honor the Brazilian Dia dos Namorados without a huge party. Send your loved one a special note or gift on June 12th and celebrate with the Brazilians of the world.

South Africa
In South Africa Valentine’s Day is traditionally observed much the same way it is here. However, they also celebrate with an old Roman festival known as Lupercalia. In this festival, young women will pin their lover’s name on their sleeves. This ancient tradition is actually the beginning to the phrase “wearing your heart on your sleeve.”

France
Valentine’s Day in France is also celebrated much the same way it is here, it is said that Valentine’s Day cards actually originated in France.

A young Frenchman, Charles, Duke of Orleans, is said to have sent the first Valentine’s Day card. It is said that the Duke sent a Valentine or love note to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

Your country is not here? send us a story!

Planetpals helps You Make Your Own Gifts!

One way to make gift giving greener is to make your own gifts! try some of Planetpals recycle crafts and make a gift (or holiday decor) for someone you love:

• Paper Mache Recipes and Patterns
• Dryer Lint Crafts
• Natural Play Dough
• Make Natural Dyes
• Sand Art (Recycle Sand and Jars)
• Paper Making Recipe to MYO Cards
• Make a Recycled Button Bracelet
• Make a Recycled Button Pins
• More

More gift ideas here

Valentine Presents Recycle Crafts:

Make a Memory Box or Memory Greeting Card
Perfect for Father's Day, Mothers Day, Anyday!
Start with recycled paper, card or make your own paper from recycled paper.

Coffee can card holder

This useful and adorable gift is perfect for a treasure box!Made with an oatmeal box or any box

Make a Recycle Treasure or Tool Jar!
Planetpals Exclusive!
Unique Ideas, how to instructions, samples. Make a treasure jar for holidays, mothers day, fathers day, everyday. Simple and Easy.

Recycle Trophy Cup
Lots of fun for any special person made from cups and paper rolls. "World's Best Mom" "World's Best Dad" "World's Best Brother" or "Best Soccer Player"."World's Best Planetpal" Possibilities endless and so cute!

Mini Tool Boxes from Recycled Tins
Perfect for Father's Day!
Simple idea-paint them one color or paint a design. Just an old tin (any size) and a handle.

A Key (Chain) That Will Stay Close to Dad's Heart!

Exclusive Planetpals
Use recycled materials, trace hand onto recycled paper or cardboard, reduce in a copier...directions

Mosaic Picture Frame One of my Faves. Popsicle sticks or an old picture frame and junk mail or old cards! Make Xmas gifts from Xmas cards-or other holidays. Cut up magazines and do animals or whatever! Fun! Add a string use as an ornament!

Rolled Paper Picture Frame or mirror: Another great frame idea. Roll magazine paper or junk mail and glue it on an old frame or mirror. An upcycled gift! These sell in stores for upwards of 15.00!

Make a Heart Shaped Button Frame: Use recycled buttons

Make a Recycled Button Bracelet
Planetpals Exclusive!
Directions for making recycled buttons and beads bracelets and tieing a jewelry knot
.

Make a Recycled Button Pins-Make the heart shaped one-or valentines!
Planetpals Exclusive!
Directions for making recycled button Pin from old jewelry and buttons-plus free stencils

Valentine Magnets Made with recycled bottle caps...hearts, flowers can be fun themes

Love Frame Use canceled love stamps or recycle cut up valentine cards to make a collage frame

Make A Plastic Bag Holder
Exclusive Planetpals Learn how to make a grocery bag holder for beach, home, park

Recycle Bottles: Not for kids! Use a dremel or glass cutter to cut bottles and make glasses, etc. This was a 60's favorite. Use bottles from a favorite drink-or as a gift. Directions.

Paper Making Recipe
Exclusive Planetpals
Learn how to make paper for many thing from scrap paper and discards and recycle.

Make Natural Dyes Great for for Play Dough and Other Crafts...How to use Rose Petals, Beetroot, Blueberries, Tumaric and Bark as natural dye

More Ideas to Make Your Own Gifts:

• Planetpals Crafts All Ages
• Recycle Crafts 4 Kids
• Recycle Crafts 4 Holidays
• Recycle Gardening Crafts
• Edible food crafts for holidays and everyday
• More healthy food ideas and recipes

Make Your Own Gift Boxes From Recycled Materials

One way to wrap up the holiday greener is to make your own gift boxes. You can make boxes from recycled materials such as old cereal boxes, oatmeal tubes, and other food containers just by turning them inside out. It's a good way to renew them.

Download these simple patterns from Planetpals. Then, once you make your box, you can decorate it. Leave it natural and decorate with twine and other natural items such as pine cones, or decorate by painting the box or gluing images.

How ever you wrap your gifts, they are sure to be conversation pieces.

Happy GREENER Holiday from Planetpals!

The 4 R's of Gift Wrapping - Wrap Gifts the Recycled Way

One way to have a greener holiday is to wrap all your gifts in a greener way! All you have to do is think out of the BOX and onto the wrap to find new ways to use old materials to bring new life to your gifts.

It's a great family project and one that will put a special meaning to home made and add extra love to your holiday giving. And remember, you can taylor make the wrap to the gift or to the person, such as maps for men or antique scarves for antique lovers.... read more

Planetpals Exclusive Valentines Card:

Make Valentine's Day Cards and Envelope:
Exclusive Planetpals MYO card. Print and play, cut and color.

friend card	classroom cards
envelope

Holiday Stencils for Recycle Crafts
Exclusive Planetpals Print, Design, Cut, Make ornaments, cards, tags for any holiday!

Heart Paper Cuts :
Exclusive Planetpals Learn about paper cutting, three different patterns for Valentines or Any day. Use recycled paper!

I Love You Recycle Magnets Love this idea! Simple to do with magnets and cut up magazines.

Valentine's Love Shapebook Love this idea! Great for homeschool or early ed. Encourage kids to write a love quote, haiku poem or poem. Great learning experience. Free download Valentine Activity.

A paper roll love bug Have fun making this love bug with a toilet paper or paper towel tubes and some paper scraps. Decorate with ribbons, beads, buttons, too! Here they used pipe cleaners. You could use bag ties.

Make Valentine Bingo Board Game. For a recycle project: Use the other side of food packaging or construction paper. Use candy hearts, buttons or beads or whatever for the bingo chips

Candy Hearts pushpins, magnets or wreaths Have fun with the message or write someone's name! A good way to avoid cavities!

Valentine heart from recycled egg crates Make it simple like this or add ribbons and other recycled materials. Glue them to appear or cardboard base.

Pot of Recycled Flowers
Make these cheerful flowers and vase from egg cartons and paper tubes. Cute Cute Cute!

Heart bookmark Make a heart shaped bookmark from fabric or paper scraps

Ribbon scrap bookmarks Easy to make bookmarks using recycled materials. Tie a string and add beads, buttons, candy hearts.

Recycle mosaic cards or decorationsMake a heart or a couple of hearts..or a key to your heart

Make a yarn and button card Simple as that paper, glue, buttons, yarn-preschool to any age!

Make a Heart Shaped Tree Cone using recycled greeting cards and other recycled materials such as jewelry. A fun decoration!

Cereal Box Valentine Carier. What a fun way to carry and save valentines using a recycle box

Card Heart Crafts Whether you string Playing cards to make a garland or make a wreath---it's a great recycle idea for old playing cards.

Valentine Jars You Will LOVE You will heart these!

"I love you to pieces" Plaque: Cute! Recycle Popsicle sticks and puzzle pieces.

Paper Towel Roll Cupid Recycle Craft so Cute!

Love by the handful :)

Edible Food Art Valentine Crafts:

Green healthy ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and your valentine Party:

Make your own Candy Hearts and messages

Marzipan Fun!
Yum--and Healthy, too. Use a heart cut-out.

Valentine milk and cookies treats Looks good enough to eat and healthy, too. Make healthy cookies like chick pea cookies and serve with milk.

Spelling Bee I love you" Breakfast
No matter how you spell it--these pancake letters will put the wow in breakfast

Heart Shaped Maki-Simply delicious and tres healthy

Hello Heart Bento-A Heart shaped sandwich,heart shaped egg, some veggies and strawberries and cherries to add red.

Watermelon Hearts Saying I love you is as easy as a heart cookie cutter.

Watermelon heart pops on a bed of bananas. irresistible.

The Love Sandwich A love-ly lunch. Heart cartoons make eating fun and very healthy

More edible food crafts for holidays and everyday