Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Veterans and Seniors
Love Valentines from You!
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Americans exchange more cards on Valentine's Day than any other time of the year except Christmas. Esther Howland, a printer and an artist from Worcester, Massachusetts is credited with starting that tradition in America. After receiving an English valentine, she started making them herself with paper lace and floral decorations. When the demand grew, she recruited friends to help her. Her homegrown business thrived and eventually grossed $100,000 annually. A very sweet sum in the late 1800's!
Everyone likes to receive valentines, but seniors in retirement or nursing homes or veterans in veterans' homes and hospitals would especially enjoy valentines and a visit from your family. Call a local nursing, retirement, veteran's home or hospital and tell them your family would like to visit some of the seniors or veterans and bring valentines (homemade or store bought) and "Hugs and Kisses."
Sometimes visits to a senior center or a veteran's home can be a little intimidating because one doesn't know what to say. FamilyCares Conversation Starts Placemats are a gift that will help the conversation along. In addition to bringing valentines and chocolates to seniors and veterans, the placemats will ensure a good visit.
Materials Needed
- Placemat-sized, red construction paper
- Multi-colored construction paper
- Markers
- Clear contact paper
- Doilies or valentine stickers
- List of Conversation Starts
- List of Conversations Hearts quotes
Steps Involved
- Cut multiple sized hearts from the multi-colored construction paper.
- Choose several Conversation Starts quotes and/or Conversation Hearts quotes to write on the cut out hearts, or create Valentine's Day verses to write in the larger paper hearts.
- Cover the placemat with clear contact paper.
Conversation Starts
Favorite Valentine?
Favorite Gift?
Funniest Valentine?
Favorite Dinner?
First Valentine?
Marriage Proposal?
Favorite Candy?
Favorite Flower or Animal?
Family Memory?
First Date?
Conversation Hearts
Conversation Hearts, produced by the New England Confectionary Co. (Necco) also originated in Massachusetts. The candy hearts with sayings were introduced in 1867 to be paired with valentine wishes. Below are some of the sayings that you can use on your Conversation Starts Placemats.
Be Mine
Awesome
You Rock
Dream Team
Love Life
EZ 2 Love
Sweet
True Love
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Far Out
My Hero
Très Chic
Ever After
Smile
Hug Me
Cute
Heart of Gold
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Love ya
Magic
Love Bug
You Rule
#1 Fan
URA QT
In Style
Be a Sport
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Hugs and Kisses are a simple and festive way to wrap candy to accompany your valentine cards.
Materials Needed
- Red or clear plastic cellophane paper
- Red, white or silver curling ribbon
- Cardboard for gift tags, hole punch
- Hershey chocolate "Kisses" and "Hugs"
Steps Involved
- Wrap several pieces of Kisses and Hugs in the cellophane paper.
- Tie with curling ribbon
- Cut out a gift tag in the shape of a heart and write a saying from Conversation Hearts on it or make up your own.
- Punch a hole in one end of the card and attach it to the ribbon.
Your family will be sure to make some new and grateful friends that will enjoy a special Valentine's Day thanks to you.
