As January comes to a close, we begin to approach everyone’s favorite commercial holiday: Valentines Day!! Whether you’re a Valentines Day die-hard or hater, one can’t argue with the value of cheerful decoration and candy. One of my favorite parts of the love-struck holiday is making gifts. Doesn’t matter who it’s for, paper hearts and discount blow-pops are always appreciated. Therefore, I’ve decided to compile a list of easy paper crafts you can make for a partner, friend, classmate, parent, or anyone else you care about in this dark world!

Victorian Letter Puzzle 

 

 

 

 

Difficulty: 9/10 

Supplies: Square paper, pencil, ruler, and markers/colored pencils/paint (opt.) 

Directions: Victorian Letter Puzzle or Puzzle Purses

This small folded creation has many names, but it is ultimately a gorgeous envelope in which you can write poems, letters, songs, or just a message! Don’t let the difficulty scare you away. I’ve made this, and if I can do it, anyone can. 

Paper Flowers 

 

 

 

 

Difficulty: 4/10

Supplies: 5 square pieces of (colored) paper, tape/glue, wooden skewer/plastic straw (opt.)

Directions: Paper Flowers

Real flowers can be a hassle to get, transport, and keep alive. Paper flowers, on the other hand, live forever probably. These colorful blooms are quick and super meditative to make once you get into it, and there’s no need to water them! I mean you could, but I wouldn’t advise it. 

Paper Heart Chain 

 

 

 

 

Difficulty: 2/10 

Supplies: Paper, scissors, pencil, glitter/markers (opt.) 

Directions: Paper Heart Chain

These classic Valentines Day shapes are a cliche, but I mean, it’s hearts. Who doesn’t love hearts? Chains tend to work better as decorations than gifts, but depending on the size, these could be added to cards and gift bags, or wrapped around candy. 

 

    Whether you try these for Valentines Day or Halloween, for yourself or others, they’re worth giving a try. Paper crafts are super fun! They’re cheap, easy to redo if you mess up, and there’s hundreds of YouTube videos you can watch if you get stuck. Plus, at the end, you’re left with a really cool piece of art! If you do end up gifting it, you’re taking something that took time and energy to make, and you’re giving it to someone else to let them know you’re thinking about them. What could be more true to Valentines Day than that?

Let’s start this off by saying- I know I’m right. The Cars movies have always been (and still are) my favorite Pixar movies, especially for road trips or flights. I would even go as far as to consider myself a Cars expert because of my lifelong commitment to the franchise (see photo above).

 

First of all, the content.

Ever had to decide between a racing movie and a spy movie? With Cars 2 you don’t have to. It’s the perfect blend of the best aspects of any action movie, with a bunch of Pixar fun thrown in. There’s explosions, espionage, fire, advanced weapon systems, lasers, races, chases and more. 

 

Secondly, you get to see the world.

Cars 2 is a global adventure. The cities featured throughout the movie are Tokyo, Paris, and London. An additional shout out to the fake (but very real to me) Porto Corsa, Italy where one of the races takes place. Perfect animation with beautiful scenery makes this movie stand out compared to the other two movies. Cars and Cars 3 are located just in functional towns but in Cars 2 you get to experience world culture while watching an animated movie.

 

Next, it gives the spotlight to other characters.

Look, I’m sure we all love Lightning but honestly, how hard can it be to be a race car? Cars 2 puts the focus on Mater who is funny, energetic, and, above all, loyal. These are the qualities you need for a main character. Plus Mater wields guns and parachutes like it’s nobody’s business and outsmarts international criminals left and right. Additionally Finn McMissile and Holly Shiftwell are the coolest duo ever. These British besties set Cars 2 apart from all other movies with their built-in spy gadgets and dialogue. Their presence alone sets this movie apart.

 

Also, Cars 2 tackles real-world issues

Beneath all the humor and action, Cars 2 revolves around a message still significant today. Corporate greed is alive and well in our 21st century life. Cars 2 doesn’t just focus on who is winning the races, it focuses on higher level corruption and the lengths people (cars) will go to if they feel overlooked and undervalued.

 

Most importantly, the Formula 1 cameo

What truly sets cars 2 apart from the other (lesser) films? Lewis Hamilton. Before the best scene in the movie (the pistachio ice cream and wasabi mix up, we see a sleek black McLaren who is voiced by none other than the 7x F1 champion. Having one of the greatest drivers in history show up in a kids movie? Mind blowing and never been done before. What other animated movies can say that they feature one of the best racers of all time.