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Everyone likes receiving a homemade Valentine’s Day card.

And they are super fun to make.

Let’s face it, most generic, store bought greeting cards wind up in the landfill.

This is one reason why making our own eco cards is better.

If we make our loved ones cards from reclaimed paper, then there is no guilt associated with wasting new materials when the card eventually winds up in the bin. Ideally, anything paper, like a card would end up in a recycling bin.

On that note, if you absolutely don’t have time to make a homemade card, please opt for a greeting card that is made with recycled paper or compostable with little seeds!

When we do make the time to make a homemade card, it shows the recipient how much we care.

When I’m creating a card for a friend, I think about them while I’m making it so they can feel the love that went into it.

How to make an eco card.

Gather a variety of attractive paper and other interesting objects.

Use the arts and crafts supplies you enjoy working with: markers, crayons, calligraphy pens, paints, scissors, fabric, glitter, yarn, hole punch, pencils (colored or No. 2) or glue. I use Elmer’s Glue which is nontoxic.

My favorite kinds of paper to use:

Construction paper.

Sheet music.

Maps.

Wrapping paper.

Newspaper clippings.

Magazines.

Lined paper.

Watercolor paper.

Graph paper.

Old children’s books.

My favorite places to find used paper:

The thrift store.

Garage and estate sales.

Dumpsters and recycling bins.

The map store.

Sheet music store.

Put a shout out to Facebook friends who want to get rid of some of their old paper.

Ask local elementary school teachers for their unwanted paper at the end of the school year.

Assembling the card.

Set aside 20-30 minutes of uninterrupted time. Gather all of the supplies you need and lay them out on the table. Just dive in and let your creativity flow. Use themes that remind you of the friend you’re making the card for. Don’t be afraid of making a mess. Also, don’t worry about the end result or it not looking “artistic.” Most of the time, it will turn out much better than we expected. And your friend will adore it.

What to write on the card?

I like to write personal sentiments on my cards. It’s also great to use favorite quotes by other writers.

Here and here are some great quote ideas to use for Valentine’s Day.

One of my favorite places to find quotes about love are in Waylon Lewis’ book Things I would like to do with You. 

“I would like to say that your beauty made it difficult to breathe.” ~ Waylon Lewis

Where to find an eco envelope?

Envelopes made of recycled paper can be found at the grocery or hardware store. But they can be a bit pricy.

My favorite places to find cheap, used envelopes are at the thrift store and garage sales.

Hot tip: If you plan ahead of time to use an envelope, it’s smart to have it handy when making the card to be sure it will fit perfectly in the envelope.

Delivering the card.

It’s terrific if you can hand-deliver the card. If your loved one lives far away, you’ll have to send it in the mail. Because a homemade card may weigh more than a store bought one, it’s a good idea to have it weighed at the post office to ensure proper postage. Give yourself enough lead time as it can take up to a few days for a domestic envelope to arrive. If sending a card internationally, post it a month in advance, just to be on the safe side.

Enjoy making an eco card anytime of year, for any occasion

Have a cheerful Valentine’s Day.

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Relephant:

Elephant’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide.

My Mom’s Favorite Mother’s Day Present. 

Author: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Images: Instagram @walkthetalkshow, Instagram @elephantjournal