Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a time to spend money or buy a bunch of new junk–not when you can use your own junk to make all of these awesome things!
1. bee valentine mailbox. Oatmeal containers are a really popular choice for making valentine mailboxes.
2. button heart hair pin. Wear something festive AND upcycled!
3. cardboard wreath. Here’s an easy way to add a pop of holiday color to your front door.
4. cork heart. This is what you do with all of those wine corks that you’ve been hoarding!
5. “cute as a button” valentines. You guessed it–this valentine upcycles old buttons!
6. fabric envelopes. Use up some of your fabric stash to make these re-usable envelopes.
7. heart-shaped dessert toppers. Serving a special Valentine’s Day dessert? Put on these upcycled Valentine’s Day dessert toppers!
8. heart stamps. Rescue one cork from the cork heart project to make this stamp.
9. heart streamers. Valentine’s Day is all about hearts! Deck out your whole house with these streamers made from upcycled papers.
10. heart thumprint platter. Thrift any kind of white dishware to upcycle into this sweet gift.
11. hidden heart neckwarmer. Upcycle an old sweater into this comfy, romantic neckwarmer.
12. oatmeal container gift box. Use this to package something special for your valentine, or as a valentine mailbox for a younger kid.
13. origami hearts. These hearts make quick valentines for a whole classroom!
14. painted Mason jars. Just use water-based paint, for easier clean-up and to make the project more eco-friendly.
15. recycled cardboard valentine mailbox. My kids LOVE this valentine mailbox, because it looks like a real mailbox.
16. picture frame wreath. Did you know that it is this easy to make a wreath?
17. playing card wreath. Sort out all of the red cards to make this wreath extra-festive.
18. puzzle piece valentine. This is a great way to upcycle those puzzles with missing pieces.
19. shampoo bottle mailbox. Here’s a cute and easy way to leave something special on someone’s door.
20. suncatcher. Upcycle posterboard or other white cardboard to make this craft even easier.
21. toilet paper tube valentine. Hide a special treat inside this valentine.
22. toilet paper tube valentine creature. Use more cardboard instead of the foam that the tutorial calls for.
23. valentine monster mailbox. Here’s a fun mailbox for the kid who’s not into hearts.
24. “you hold the keys to my heart” art. Put something cute into that gross old Goodwill frame!