Paper Valentine’s Day Garland

Turn paper tubes into hearts and craft a tiny paper chain to make this simple Valentine’s Day garland to decorate.

I’m trying to make more crafts using recycled materials and things I already have at home. I was playing around with empty TP tubes and realized they make a great, sturdy paper heart shape.

Paper hearts are the basis for this easy Valentine’s Day garland. It’s basically a classic paper chain craft with a fun little twist. I left them natural brown and added brown kraft paper alongside the pink, but you could paint the paper hearts and use and paper colors you like.

If you don’t have a paper trimmer, you can cut the paper strips with scissors. It will just take a bit longer to get enough tiny strips for a long garland.

How to make Valentine’s Day garland

Supplies

• craft paper in shades of pink and brown
• empty paper tubes
• stapler
• paper trimmer
• scissors
• glue tape roller

Instructions

1. Cut paper tubes.

Take a paper tube and flatten it, creasing the edges. Use scissors to cut it into about 6 pieces. You can measure and mark half-inch sections, but they don’t have to be precise. The easy way to do it is to cut the tube in half, then cut each half into 3.

2. Fold tubes into hearts.

For each ring, fold the top crease inward to create a heart shape. Staple the center of the heart so it holds its shape. Repeat to make a bunch of paper hearts, then set them aside.

3. Make paper strips.

For the paper chain links, cut strips of paper into pieces that measure 0.25-inches by 3 inches. I used 12-inch scrapbook paper for mine, so here’s how I did that: Cut the 12×12-inch paper in half with scissors. Use the paper trimmer to cut half-inch strips, then cut each of those in half.

4. Build chain links.

To assemble the paper chain, start with a heart. Add a dab of glue to the end of a paper strip, then loop it through the heart before closing the ring. Repeat a bunch to assemble the chain.

I used a heart every 14th link, but you can create any pattern. I also alternated between brown and pink paper strips. Repeat until the Valentine’s Day garland is as long as you like.

You can hang this garland anywhere. On a wall or bulletin board, across a mantle. Run it along the table for a centerpiece. Add it to another handmade decoration, like a wreath, or decorate a seasonal tree!

If you liked this craft tutorial, try a few similar crafts. I think it would look cute to have several different holiday garlands hung together. Make this paper heart chain or this easy dollar store heart garland.

What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:

• DIY Valentine’s Day Treat Tubes
• Printable Valentine’s Day Coloring Pages
• Printable Valentine’s Day Planner