Build this single pencil holder for less than .50 cents each – including the pencil – and you have a great candy free Valentine.
I have 3 kids which means 3 sets of Valentines, in all I made 75 pencil holders.
You could use any standard size pencils but I choose these red golf pencils.
They are super simple to make but best of all they are useful and not full of sugar.
Supplies cost breakdown:
One 1 x 3 x 8′ pine board costs $5 and will yield 36 base pieces. ($.14 each)
One 2 x 2 x 8′ pine furring stick costs $1.50 and will yield 47 pieces. ($.03 each)
One 1 1/4″ screw costs $.05.
Wood glue
Total: $.39
And you could even use 1 x 3 x 8′ pine furring to bring down the cost even lower.
Wrap up in a small cellophane bag with a tag and you’re ready to give:
How to build a single pencil holder:
1. Supplies (for one pencil holder):
1 – 1×3 @ 2.5″ pine board
1 – 2×2 @ 2″ pine furring
1 – 1 1/4″ wood screw
Gather all your scraps:
2. Make cuts. To make multiple cuts set a wood block or tape to the 2″ length and slice away:
3. Predrill countersunk hole in center of 1×3 base:
(I also predrilled a hole in the center of the 2×2.)
4. Glue and attach 2×2 piece at center from underside using 1 1/4″ wood screw:
5. Using a 5/16″ drill bit (drill bit must match or be a tiny bit wider than pencil diameter) make a hole in the center of the 2×2:
Mark the drill bit with tape at 1 1/2″ deep to keep holes consistent:
Sand well and insert pencil.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
For more candy free valentines ideas click here:
Cute pencil holders and I really like the "no candy" idea too!!
This is brilliant, Jaime!
Just what I need beside my bed for notes and crossword puzzles. My pens & pencils seem to migrate to the bedside table and I have to clear out half a dozen at a time.
If I know I have one in a holder all the time, maybe the rest of the writing implements will stay out of the bedroom and I won't be searching for them in the bedroom when I want to write a list or note.
Great idea for grownup's valentines! Thanks for this.