I love doing Crafts and my kids do too. I was thinking last night that I never really touched on this subject in being frugal!

To me the best gifts are those with a lot of thought and love put in them and what has more of that then handmade gifts?

Valentines day is coming up right around the corner! For me I would rather have something hand made from hubby because then I know that he put thought into it!

Crafts are an easy way to be frugal a piece of red construction paper can be converted into a ton of Valentines, or two really nice size cards! Look around at thrift stores next time your there. I always find a ton of cards and other items that can be re-used and re-purposed into great gifts. buy them when you find them for dirt cheap prices.

After the holidays have past buy supplies dirt cheap and store them. Great example is after Christmas buy red decorations, glitter, sprinkles and anything you normal use with your crafts because in less then two months you can use them again for your Valentines day ideas!

Let me give you a craft that you can do alone or with you kids. I used this from Christmas ornaments last year but this would be perfect for Valentines Day as well.


Cinnamon Dough Ornaments

1 C. Applesauce

1 1/2 C. (6oz) Cinnamon

1/3 C. White Craft Glue

Large cutting Board,Rolling Pin, Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter,

Plastic Straw

Fancy Ribbon


Mix Applesauce, Cinnamon, and glue forming a ball. Refrigerate fro about 30 minutes.

Sprinkle more cinnamon onto your cutting board and rolling pin.

Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use the cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes.

While dough is still pliable use straw to poke two holes int the top of the curved part of the heart.

At this point you can also write a nice message,or date into the hearts as well as add fancy charms or beads to your heart. Once you are done with them put them in a safe place on a cooling rack to dry for a couple days.

When the color changes to a light color they are done! Put your ribbon through the holes you poked out and gift!

I have also dried mine in the over at a very low temperature. It speed it along and makes you house smell yummy! These last for years!

You can also check out the banners above for more free craft ideas! Enjoy being frugal!