Feel the Love this Valentine’s Day with These 9 Ideas

Valentine’s Day Yearbook Activities can be a great way to break up the busy pace of February in the yearbook world. Spring delivery schools are in the middle of deadlines. Summer/fall delivery schools are heading into deadline season. One semester of school is complete, so your staff is busy trying to make sure you captured it well. Sales pushes for book and ad sales have been going on for months. Add in recruiting and your other classes, and it can be a recipe for burnout.

That’s why it’s so important to take small moments to celebrate special occasions like Valentine’s Day with your yearbook class. You and your staff need those fun memories to recharge so you can power through the rest of the year. Here is a list of fun Valentine’s Day yearbook activities.

Valentine’s Day Yearbook Activities

1. Dr. Phil Cookies.

Heather Rice from One School of the Arts in Longwood, Florida, wanted to add a little lightheartedness to a serious deadline. That’s why her classroom has Dr. Phil pictures posted around the room on walls, computers and in the hands of her staff saying, “How’s that Valentine’s Day deadline working out for you?” Additionally, she had cookies made with Dr. Phil’s face on them. It was a fun way to add some laughter to the deadline that was on everyone’s minds.

2. Have a Photo Booth Fundraiser.

Smithville High School in Smithville, Missouri, hosted a Valentine’s Day fundraiser during lunch. They had a Valentine’s Day backdrop and picked up some fun props, then took Polaroid photos of students at lunch. They sold those photos for $3 each. Because of the cost of Polaroid film, they did not offer free retakes. Schools could do a more budget-friendly version by taking pictures on smartphones and asking the drama department or other teachers for props. Be sure to check with your administration before setting up any fundraisers.

3. Create Valentines Out of Your Favorite Spreads.

You’ve spent the year creating beautiful works of art through your yearbook spreads. Why not print off the favorite spreads, stories, designs or photos each person in the class did and use it as a Valentine? You could write down what you love most about their work on that spread. Give them to each student to let them know how much you value their contributions.

4. Post Great Photos Your Staff Has Taken of Students.

Show students some love with your favorite photos of them. You could put it on the locker of the student in the photo, on the windshield of their car, tape it in the hallways or hand-deliver to them. Also tag them on social media if you can. This will maximize the reach of your message. After all, the yearbook is your love letter to your school. Let them know what you love best – the people who make up your school community. Be sure to include information on how to purchase the book on yearbookforever.com.

5. Hide Hearts with Yearbook Coupon Codes.

Jackman Middle School in Sacramento, California, hid hearts around campus. Each heart held a $5 coupon code for the yearbook. One lucky heart even offered a free yearbook. They hosted a two-week scavenger hunt with hints on social media. It got the whole school talking!

6. Have a Cookie Decorating Contest.

Bring some cookies, icing and edible decorations. Sometimes you just need a sugar break! Talk to yearbook parents to see if they will donate or bake cookies. Vote on your favorite cookie, which can be featured in your yearbook colophon! And obviously the staff needs candy to fuel their creativity while they work on their designs. Maybe even a heart shaped pizza from your favorite local pizza restaurant or heart-shaped donuts.

7. Hire Out Yearbook Staff to Create Valentine’s Day Cards.

You have a staff of designers and writers. Put their skills to use in a fundraiser. Have your staff design and write Valentine’s Day cards for the students of your school. These could be templates that are premade or personalized for the individual for which they are intended.

8. Connect with Your Yearbook Staff Through Compliments.

Colonial Forge High School in Stafford, Virginia, has a Valentine’s Day tradition every year to connect their staff, literally and figuratively. Adviser Tiffany Kopcak, CJE, brings in a ball of yarn and gathers her staff. The first staff member will tie the end of the yarn around their wrist, then throw the yarn ball to someone else who they will then compliment. That person then ties the yarn around their wrist and throws the yarn to another staff member who they compliment. This process continues until the entire staff is connected together. Once they have all gone, Kopcak gives a speech about connection and belonging. Afterward, they cut the yarn and make friendship bracelets or tassels to hang off their backpacks for the rest of the year.

9. Share the Love on Social.

Be sure to use holidays to promote your yearbook. We have Valentine’s Day-themed social media graphics You can also create your own with platforms like Canva.

However you choose to celebrate, make sure you’re taking time in this busy season to create memories with your staff. These are the stories that they will remember, and we all need to feel a little love sometimes. And make sure you document your efforts for the yearbook spread or colophon.

What Valentine’s Day yearbook activities are you doing with your class? Share with us in the comments below.