Unicorn Valentine Card Box

 

While we still have a month until Valentine's Day, it is time to start thinking of the Valentine's Day class party. One thing that I always enjoyed doing with my kids is making the valentine box. I still use this box, and use it for storage now.  It was not that hard to put together, and almost all of the items came from the Dollar Tree. 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Here is what I used to make this unicorn box 

A box for the body (shoebox, tissue box, gift box or even a mailbox)

4 cardboard tubes for the legs

2-3 curly bows (multiple bows on each) for the mane and tail.

round container/tumbler with lid (something unicorn head shaped) or floral foam for the head 

craft foam or pre cut glitter hearts for snout

googly eyes

colored wrapping paper  or paint 

cardstock (color of choice for horn) Dollar Tree now sells premade unicorn horns in the party aisle. 

I was lucky enough to find this sturdy shoe box size Valentine card box on clearance at Target a few years ago. It was already white, so I decided to make my unicorn white. You can use whatever box you have on hand.  You can paint it, or cover it in whatever color you decide. 

 

When making the unicorn, I was not sure on which shape I wanted to use for the unicorn's head.  I will show you what they both look like.  

If you would like a rectangle head, find the largest craft or floral foam in the crafting aisle. Leave the plastic on if the foam is in multiple pieces like the one in the photo.  I wrapped it in white wrapping paper that is available in their gift wrap aisle.  

If you prefer a rounder look for the head, I wrapped a cup I found in the dish aisle.  I am not sure if this particular cup is still available, but you should find something similar.  I liked the round look better for my unicorn so this is the one that I decided to use. 

This is the dual temp mini glue gun by Gorilla Glue that I just got. It is very highly rated.  I love that it has the dual settings because I tend to burn myself when using a lower quality glue gun. 

I painted four cardboard tube white to make the legs and then hot glued them to the bottom of the box. I also used hot glue to attach the head to the top of the box. 

The next step is to chose which ribbon you want to use for the mane and the tail.  They have several different types of curly ribbon and various colors that will work well. I went with the curliest ribbon in multiple colors for my unicorn. 

The curly ribbons have multiple bows on each card. Arrange them as big or as small as you would like. To get this extra full look, I used four of the smaller bows for the mane (two bow cards), and two smaller bows (one bow card) for the tail.

Dollar Tree now makes so many pre-cut hearts in various sizes and colors.  They didn't have as many as they do now when I made this box, so I cut out pink hearts from a scrap piece of pink craft foam. 

I used a piece of cardstock to make the horn, but now they have already made unicorn horns in the party aisle.  The last step is to add the eyes. I drew on eyelashes, but if you would prefer real ones, there are a bunch of fake eyelashes to choose from in the beauty aisle. 

UPDATE: I found both the horns and lashes at the Dollar Tree today that you may be interested in using on your unicorn.  

Your unicorn is now ready to collect those Valentines at the class party. 

If you are interested in Valentines you can print and share with your friends, I have several Valentine items in my Etsy Shop.  My biggest seller last year was my Bee Valentines. I am currently making some new styles for this year, including some unicorns.  

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Unicorn Valentine Box

I have been planning on making  a Unicorn Valentine Box since last Valentine's Day, and now with our frequent snow days lately, I have had the chance.    I consider this project to also be part of the Dollar Store Challenge, because all of the supplies came from the dollar store. 

You do not need to buy a box for you unicorn, but I found this really nice one  that was white with a big slot already in it.  I went ahead and bought it, since I did not have a good shoe box at home.   I found it on sale at Meijer for $2.39.  I have also seen these before at Target, and the craft store. You may also find a file box at the dollar store that will work as well. 

I painted four cardboard tubes white, since I decide to make my unicorn white to match the box I found.  I did almost make it purple though. :) 

In the wrapping and party aisles, I found several things that would work for the mane and tail.  My favorites were the pre-curled ribbon bows, and the Tissue Tassel Garland.  Because I loved the colors (they come in several others too) I chose to use the ribbon bows. I bought  two of them for this project. Each bow is made up on three smaller bows. 

I also found several options for the head. The plastic cup and floral foam were my two favorites in size and shape. 

This is what it would look like if you go with the floral foam.  TIP- Do not open the package of foam, leave it wrapped in plastic.  I found out the hard way that it is actually 5 smaller blocks that needed to be put back together with tape. 

I decided to go with the plastic water cup, because it looks more realistic to me. It would be ideal if I found a white cup but there are a variety of things that can be done to make it white.  I thought about painting it, but decided to wrap it with white paper that I found in the wrapping section. 

I hot glue the legs in place to the bottom of the box.  

I separate the ribbon bow into the smaller separate bows to have more control on where I wanted them to go.  

I used four of the small pieces for the mane, and two for the tail.  I really love the look of the curls! 

I had self adhesive craft foam on hand, but it was originally bought from the dollar store in the craft aisle.  I had considered using black for the snout but it was too dark next to the light colors of the unicorn.  Since it was Valentine's Day, I decided to cut out some pink hearts instead. 

I may need to go back and take a few more pictures, because I do not have a close up of the eyes. I used some of the pink craft foam to my her eyelashes as well. You can kind of see them under her mane.  The horn is a piece of pink card stock rolled into a cone shape, and then glued into place. 

You now have an unicorn that is ready for the class party, and to receive all of her Valentines.  (I am actually teaching a 5th grade class that day, so I might take mine to school with me.) 

Depending on the supplies you already have, the estimated cost for this unicorn is $5 or less. 

Happy Valentine's Day!! 

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Unicorn Party Mix

Recently I shared how to host an Unicorn Candy Buffet on a Budget. One of the treats I put on the buffet was Unicorn Party Mix.  I love these types of treats, because they are super easy to make, and can be customized for all sorts of themes and parties.  

I started this party mix with Bugles.  I chose them because they look like Unicorn horns.  I lined a cookie sheet with wax paper, and then arranged the Bugles in a single layer. 

While I was making the party mix, I was also making Unicorn Horn Pretzels.  I had melted a bag of white chocolate chips and divided it between the two snacks. I drizzled the chocolate over the bugles with a spoon.  I tried to get it on as many pieces as I could, some pieces got more than others. Once I added colored mini marshmallows I realized I forgot to take a picture of just the chocolate.  The marshmallows remind me of unicorn "poop". 

I then added a couple of different kinds of sprinkles and candy.  I had a box of rainbow nerds, so I added some of those. I also added some silver and pink sugar sprinkles.  

My favorite cereal is Lucky Charms.  While making this party mix, I saw a box of cereal sitting nearby.  I realized that some of the marshmallows were perfect for a unicorn mix.  I added some purple horseshoes, pink hearts, and rainbows. 

Once you add all the ingredients that you want to add, set it out for your party, or store in a air tight container to use for later.    A word of warning, this stuff is addictive! It is the perfect mix of sweet and salty.  Once you start eating it, it is hard to stop.  

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An Unicorn Candy Buffet on a Budget

Disclosure: This blog uses affiliate links to the products used in this post. 

If you have been on Pinterest or social media in the last few years you may have noticed that candy buffets are quite the trend.  While big elaborate buffets are quite beautiful, they are also pretty expensive.  I am going to share my tips to putting one together on a budget (and with limited space) 

I am a brand ambassador for Oriental Trading  It is a great place to buy party supplies that are inexpensive, and in several different party themes.  They did send some party supplies for me to share in this post, but all opinions of the products are 100% mine.  I have been a fan of theirs for many years, long before I became an ambassador. 

I do not have a lot of space to put a candy buffet where I live.  I had originally wanted to put it near a wall with my rectangle card table.  Unfortunately, that table seems to be MIA at the moment, so I had to change my plans.  We have another area with a makeshift room divider that my daughter likes to use when she is in the the living/dining room. I decided to use that as a backdrop for the buffet.  I decorated it with fringed crepe paper.  What is nice about this technique is you can easily customize it to your theme and color.  I used the colors I had on hand. This location would actually be even better for guests to reach the candy. I love this gold foil tablecloth.  There were some fold marks, but that did not bother me.  You will actually see it again very soon! 

I love these divided trays from Oriental Trading.  They hold a lot of stuff, and I can see using them for all of my parties.  

You can use all sorts of different bowls, jars, and trays for your candy buffet depending on what you are serving.  These glass ice cream bowls that I already had on hand were the perfect size to hold the ice cream flavored jelly beans.  I have found interesting party dishes at the dollar store, on clearance and thrift stores.  Oriental Trading has a nice affordable selection of serving containers as well.   I once found a very large apothecary jar for $10 at the Salvation Army. It was too big to use for this party, but I am sure I will use it for something.  

In this tray, I served Unicorn Horn Pretzels, (recipe posted shortly) Unicorn Horn Suckers from Oriental Trading, and heart suckers from the dollar store. 

The fruit flavored Tootsie Rolls, rainbow pixie sticks and more unicorn horn suckers were all from Oriental Trading. 

I made this glass stemmed jar using items from the dollar store.  I glued a vase to a candlestick using heavy duty glue.  They are quite sturdy and I have used them for many parties.  This one is holding 2 lbs of purple Sixlets from Oriental Trading.   The chocolates were the most expensive candy on the buffet, and they were still under $10. You can choose from many different colors. I chose purple because it is my favorite color,  and one I usually think of when I think of unicorns.   I love the gold scoops that came in packs for three for only a couple of dollars.  The unicorn pick on the side of the jar was going to be used in sprinkled marshmallows, but when I went to make them, it seems the marshmallows had been eaten.  

A couple of years ago, I found several cake stands on clearance at Target for only a couple of dollars each  They have a bit of a bowl shape, so I used my red one to hold the Unicorn Party Mix that I made.  

I am not sure where I got this plastic jar, but it has been quite useful.  When I am not using it to hold rainbow gumballs , it holds my cupcake liners.  

Here is a close up of the Unicorn Horn Pretzels.  You can use whatever chewy candy you want to give the swirl affect to the pretzel.  I used the fruity Tootsie Rolls.  While I used rainbow sprinkles and some pink sparkle sugar, you can decorate them in all sorts of colors and make them as fancy as you like.  They actually taste really good, I may have already eaten a couple of them  

Here is a close up on the Unicorn Horn Suckers.  I love the colorful unicorn card. These would be perfect for Valentines Day.  

I think these Unicorn Horn Bracelets are really cute.  

The other dollar store jar held these large swirl suckers.. 

While writing this post, I saw pictures of these Valentine Unicorn Bags from Oriental Trading that we made last year.  They would be a great addition to an Unicorn Candy Buffet to hold all the loose candy.   (the purple flower are actually not part of the kit, but added in editing to hide names of the girls who made them) 

I hope I gave you some ideas on how to have an affordable candy buffet on a budget. 

Some additional Unicorn party products you might enjoy. Just click on the photo to find more information.  

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