Country Roads

 

February 9, 2023



For all those hunting for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, there is less than a week to accomplish this task. What once began years and years ago as a simple, thoughtful card gifting, expressing one’s love and thoughts for others, has gotten blown out of proportion. Valentine gifts today are sometimes diamond jewelry, heart-shaped containers filled with chocolate candy or a dozen red roses.

Remembering my the childhood years attending classes in a one-room schoolhouse, Valentine’s Day preparation began at least two weeks before. Classes made special Valentine decorations that were placed around the chalk boards. Students were given red, white and pink construction paper, paper doilies, ribbon, glue and glitter. Imaginations were expressed in the art work happily done.

Another favorite Valentine’s Day project was creating an individual Valentine box. The boxes came from home, usually a shoe box, a large cereal box or a large soda cracker box. Red or pink crepe paper was used to cover the box. Then everyone got to chose what they wanted to paste on the sides and top of the colorful box, such as construction paper hearts, paper doilies and hand drawn characters. The name of the box’s owner was carefully drawn upon the top of the box. The older students would sometimes cut the letters of their name out of a magazine, making it look more professional. Everyone wanted to see who could create the best Valentine box. The final task was supervised by the teacher or an older student in making a cut out on the top middle of the box where the cards could be dropped in. The boxes were then all lined up on the top of the bookcase so they were within easy reach. Next came the task of filling each box with Valentines that came from home and added to each person’s box.

Students either purchased their Valentines in packages, or they once again put on their creative hats and made the Valentines. Mothers usually made a list of all the students at school. As the student picked out the Valentine for a student, their name was crossed off the list, making sure no one was missed. I’m sure the boys did the same thing the girls did, and made sure a Valentine card didn’t have too “mushy” of wordings. If someone liked horses, then if possible a card was chosen for that person with a horse on it. Or if someone enjoyed cats or dogs, then those made good choices too. The cards were sealed in plain white envelopes and stuffed into a bag or sack to take to school the next morning.

It was exciting to get off the little Jeep bus with our lunch pails and our valentines. Students would hang up their coats, cap, and scarves on appointed hooks in the foyer that also served as the makeshift mini kitchen and supply room. Boots were placed directly beneath the coats. Lunch pails were placed upon a table and then everyone made a quick trip towards the Valentine boxes. Carefully, each envelope was inspected to make sure the name written on the envelope went into the box with the same name. No one wanted to get someone else’s card, as that could be embarrassing.

Valentine’s Day arrived. Mothers came and provided treats for the students. Valentines games were played, songs were sung and then it was time for everyone to get their Valentine boxes off the shelf and open them. Excitement filled the room as envelopes were taken out and opened, one by one. Some were willing to show others what Valentines they had received, while others kept the cards to themselves. At the end of the day, the boxes were taken home where the cards were shown to the parents.

How simple yet enjoyable that time was. Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

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