KSM Design + Photography

Since I still have two kiddos in elementary school, I still have the whole “class Valentines party” to prepare for!

Sometimes I just let the kids pick out store-bought ones, but if we have the time, I prefer that they make them and put a little thought into them.

{SIDE NOTE: I also have my kids write valentines to each other, and they aren’t allowed to just say “I love you!” and that’s it. They have to write each other a note about WHY they love that person.}

Brendan really wanted to do a valentine with candy, but given all the work we’ve done towards helping him in his Brain Balance journey, and figuring out he has sensitivity to dyes and gluten, I tried to find something he could have himself.

So I found this fun printable and this fun Hershey’s Kiss ring tutorial and thought I could just combine the two.

First, I found this template, which you could print off on it’s own and it still work, but I changed the template to add the word “GEM!”

*I made sure to have the kids sign the back of the cards before adding the ring to the front so it would be flat and easier to sign.

Then I pretty much followed the ring tutorial I had pinned, but it called for 2 pipe cleaners for each ring and since I was just using what I had at home, I figured out how to cut 1 pipe cleaner in half and do it that way.

SUPPLIES //

+ pipe cleaners (1-2 per ring, depending on which tutorial you use)
+ Hershey’s Kisses
+ Washi tape of choice (I got mine on sale at Target)
+ Valentine card template (original version | edited version to say “gem”)

STEP 1 //

Fold pipe cleaner in half, then cut in half.

STEP 2 //

Find the half way mark of the two pieces, then twist the two pipe cleaners about a thumb’s length up from half.

Twist the parts so the two short lengths are opposite from each other, and the two long parts are opposite of each other.

STEP 3 //

Center the candy over the cross section of pipe cleaners . Twist the two shorter sides first, then add the two longer sizes and twist all together at the tip of the candy.

STEP 4 //

Create a circle with the remaining length of pipe cleaner and wrap the extra around the circle, making sure there are no pokey parts for little fingers.