Give a unique valentine this year to your loved ones, such as a simple lace heart in a bag of birdseed. Write a poem on the back that reads, “I made a hundred valentines, one hundred did I say? / I made a thousand valentines one cold and wintry day. / My valentines were different, not paper or words. / My valentines were seeds for February birds.”
This year, hang a birdfeeder full of seeds and wait for your flying valentines to appear.
Provided by the Maryland Zoo, vwww.marylandzoo.org.
ACTIVITY
Another fun Valentine?s Day gift idea is a hanging wreath covered in birdseed. You?ll need birdseed, peanut butter or shortening, a heart-shaped straw wreath, yarn or floral wire, a large bowl and a spatula.
1. Lay newspaper or a plastic tablecloth where you?re going to work.
2. Remove all plastic from the wreath.
3. Tie a piece of yarn or floral wire to the wreath. Leave one end long enough to tie to a branch and the other long enough to attach edible decorations.
4. Use a plastic knife or spatula to spread peanut butter or shortening on the wreath.
5. Place the wreath in a large bowl and cover it with four cups of birdseed.
6. Carefully remove the wreath and shake off the excess seed.
7. (optional) Decorate the wreath with dried fruit or nuts, using either peanut butter or shortening as glue.
8. Hang your valentine outside. Place it where you can see it from a window, and watch the birds feast! Leave your wreath up even after all the seeds are gone. Birds will start pulling it apart and using the straw to line their spring nests.
