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DCL
It's right about now that the kids are clamoring to buy Valentines -- and since you can get them just about anywhere, there's really no reprieve from it. But instead of giving in and buying a box of Dora or Spiderman Valentines, why not eliminate all that paper waste with tasty cookie Valentines?
Cookie valentines are personal, fun, and waste-free. Plus they're a whole lot healthier than those chalk-like message hearts or cinnamon hearts.
It might be hard to win the kids over at first, but explain that the paper Valentines aren't good for the planet . . . and then appeal to your kids' love of baking and their inner cookie monster.
Why cookies, and not, say, cupcakes? It's the lazy lady in me. Cupcakes somehow always take longer to bake and decorate than a batch of cookies, and they inevitably end up looking a little worse for wear by the time they make it to school. Cookies are also less messy, so it's a lot easier on the teacher.
Chocolate chip cookies might seem like the obvious choice, but I love ginger snaps for Valentine's Day because they're hard enough that they can take a little jostling on the way to school, and that kick of spice is a perfect substitute for cinnamon hearts. For an extra festive touch, press cookies in a little red sugar as they come out of the oven.
Just like that your Valentine's Day treat will have made every kid in the class happy (what kid doesn't like cookies?), and you'll have avoided unnecessary paper use.
