Estimated time to make this valentine:
One hour or more.

Appropriate age group(s):
Elementary School
Middle School

Materials:
wooden cigar box
fine fabrics (e.g., velvet, silk, linen, canvas)
hot glue gun and glue
ribbon/lace
scissors
glue
photographs/special heart cutouts/heart stickers/other special images
decoupage paste
paint brush

Instructions:
1. Discover the different kinds of fabrics available and choose one for your love box.
2. Glue the fabric to cover the box using a hot glue gun.
3. Once the glue has dried, decorate the interior and exterior of the box with ribbon and/or lace.
4. Fill your love box and remember that only very special things go in (e.g., a picture of the family, a mirror, a special stone or crystal. Use your imagination!)

For older children:

1. Instead of gluing fabric onto the box, integrate different pictures, photographs, drawings, cutouts, etc., directly onto the box by arranging them into a collage (make sure the entire surface is covered with images).
2. Glue these images onto the box.
3. Using a paint brush, paint on the decoupage paste with fine smooth strokes, keeping the application even.
4. Allow paste to dry and reapply.

Other comments or suggestions to consider:
Make sure an adult or older teen is in charge of the hot glue gun!