Handmade Valentine Exchange: It’s a Reboot.

For several years, while I still lived in NYC, I participated in the #handmadevalentineexchange, “HVE”, created by Julia Parris.

Every January signups opened to anyone who wanted to create a handmade valentine for 9 strangers anywhere in the world. In early February participants were given their list of names and addresses to send their handmade valentines too. Spreading a little bit of joy and kindness through a postbox every Valentines’ Day.

Unfortunately, in 2018 Parris made the difficult decision to close HVE but offered to let another participant take HVE over.

On a whim Christmas night 2021, I DM’d Parris asking if she’d known anyone had taken HVE over, and, if not, asked if I could have the project. With an enthusiastic yes and a full support from Julia HVE was officially rebooted on 01.01.2022.

In 2022 there were participants from 12 countries including UAE, Iceland, India, Australia, the UK, Ireland, and North America.