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Do you remember making Valentine’s Day boxes?

February 13, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

a snippet from my book (coming soon)…

Vintage Valentine Card

Other than snow days, the only wintertime excitement was our class Valentine’s Day party. In fifth grade, we nearly lost the privilege because we were so bad. At least that’s what Miss Friend threatened each morning before first recess. The thing is, we weren’t any worse than we were in fourth grade. Or third grade. Or any grade. We were always the same, just older and bigger.

The real issue was Miss Friend.

She had no control.

After lunch when Miss Friend was worn to a frazzle, she let us work on our Valentine boxes. This was pretty smart on her part. The girls could sit for hours and hours gluing pink and red pieces of construction paper to the shoeboxes brought from home. Sometimes Miss Friend even brought out the red and silver glitter—an extra special treat.

Even though the boys didn’t care one iota about their Valentine boxes, they were quiet too. They could sit for hours squirting blobs of Elmer’s glue on their fingertips, and then pulling it off like dried skin.

Vintage Valentine Box

Grace Grits and Gardening

Vintage Valentine Card

Musical Pairing:

Be My Valentine, Vince Guaraldi Trio

 

Filed Under: Holiday, Memories Tagged With: Keiser, Memoir, Valentine's Day

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Comments

  1. Pary Moppins says

    February 13, 2014 at 8:10 am

    We also made Valentine’s boxes every year in elementary school. I’m a little sad that my daughter doesn’t have the same opportunity to embrace the holiday in school as we did. They still have a party but don’t necessarily exchange Valentine’s and certainly don’t make boxes to receive them.

  2. Colleen Pence says

    February 13, 2014 at 8:23 am

    I remember those days, fondly. Sadly, they don’t have much time for art (and there are no longer Valentine’s Day parties) at my children’s school. But maybe we can make our own boxes at home. 🙂

  3. Evelyn @ My Turn for us says

    February 13, 2014 at 8:55 am

    This brings back some great memories!!

    Thanks

    Hugs

  4. Barbara Tate says

    February 13, 2014 at 9:00 am

    I still have you and Staci’s valentines in a box in a closet in the Bat Cave.

  5. Megan says

    February 13, 2014 at 9:02 am

    I do! I loved this time of year as a little kid!

  6. Colene says

    February 13, 2014 at 9:18 am

    I do remember making valentine boxes and how we would line them up on the window ledge in the class room. What a shame if they don’t do this anymore! Thanks for the memories!

  7. Robin says

    February 13, 2014 at 11:37 am

    I love it! I can’t wait for the book!

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 13, 2014 at 1:23 pm

      Thank you Robin!

  8. Martha Orlando says

    February 13, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    Oh, yes, this does bring back memories from childhood. Loved making those boxes, too!
    Blessings!

  9. Bryan Jones says

    February 13, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    Funny as usual! Another winner, can’t wait for the book!

  10. LydiaF says

    February 13, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    I remember making Valentines boxes and home made Valentines, too. It was so long ago only the cool kids had the store bought cards. I had an unrequited crush on the boy in front of me, and he actually got red when he gave me his Valentine.

  11. Dorothy Johnson says

    February 14, 2014 at 10:19 am

    Sweet remembrance. I loved it, too! I made a box this year.

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 15, 2014 at 7:40 am

      You should post a picture of your box!

  12. Joy @ Yesterfood says

    February 18, 2014 at 11:23 am

    That was always a fun time of year! And I always got mine home with sugar cookie crumbs in it from the ubiquitous heart shaped, iced Valentine’s cookies! ♥ Visiting from the Sweet Tea Social!

  13. Barbara Tate says

    February 13, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    I noticed on FB that the kids are making elaborate boxes now. Looking forward to that book.


Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25
  • Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book
  • Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 26, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 5, 2025

Novels:

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