Here are Some Fun and Fabulous Things to Fabricate for February

So it’s February. The shortest month of the year, yet somehow it feels like the longest. It’s been winter long enough that everyone’s really sick of it, and it’s grey outside, and when the sun comes out, it’s just kind of a tease. Perhaps it’s different in different geographical areas – a friend of mine from Georgia recently posted pictures of daffodils in full bloom, and I just got crabby and resentful. I do not like February, if you couldn’t tell.

I don’t like any of the winter months, to be honest, but at least the first part of the winter has holidays to distract you. February has…Valentine’s Day, which is nice if you’re part of a couple, but if you’re not it’s just kind of annoying. However, the day AFTER Valentine’s Day, when all the candy goes on sale, that’s worth celebrating. Perhaps February 15 could be declared a national holiday…oh wait. Apparently February 15 is National Gum Drop Day, because…gum drops are all that’s left after the romantics have taken all the good candy? Great. Now I feel dismal again.

What can always cheer me up, though, is finding cool stuff to 3D print, and I suspect that if you’re reading this, you feel the same way. Whether you’re a fan of February or not, here are a few fun 3D printable things I found to commemorate the month.

The first “holiday” in February, of course, is Groundhog Day (although, according to Holidayscalendar.com, which so kindly informed me about Gum Drop Day, February first is “Hula in the Coola Day”…what? Who comes up with these? So I guess that’s technically the first holiday in February?) and from what I hear, this year’s verdict is that we’re going to have six more weeks of winter, so thanks a lot, rodent. Here is my reaction to that announcement:

This Insane Groundhog from Thingiverse user emcgee17 is a pretty good approximation of what anyone would look like after being rudely hauled away from a months-long nap. If you’re a cheerier sort, though, you can always print a Disco Groundhog With Bathrobe, because why not? Or you could print Groundhog Day’s Bill Murray wearing 3D glasses, because, again, why not?

All right, forget Groundhog Day. Obviously, the widest selection of February-holiday-themed 3D models on the web are going to be Valentine’s Day-related, so let’s take a look at a few of those. Thingiverse has an entire Valentine’s Day collection that you can browse to your heart’s (sorry) content, and it’s full of items that range from the kitschy to the truly beautiful. Here’s my personal favorite, though:

The Heartocado, an Avocado With Emotions! A remixed design by Thingiverse’s axtn, this is what I’m going to be making for everyone I love for every Valentine’s Day ever again.

If you or your loved one is a Nirvana fan, there are plenty of heart-shaped boxes to choose from; I especially like this elegant, filigreed design from Gothampixel. There’s lots of 3D printable jewelry, of course, and if you have kids, you should check out this really neat Personalized Glowing Valentine design from user VickyTGAW, who we know better as Vicky Somma: software developer, blogger, and self-taught 3D printing expert whose work we always love to see. She 3D printed these personalized hearts for her son’s preschool class in red filament, with their names added in colorFabb GlowFill. You can read her full blog on the designing and printing process here.

For those of you whose Valentine’s Day priorities are truly in the right place, there’s a Hershey’s Kiss Necklace designed by BluRocks, or if you’re the type that loves more aggressively, there’s the LOVE GRENADE V2.0 (Cupid’s Tactical Gear) from BonGarcon. Thingiverse’s collection is extensive, but other sites certainly aren’t lacking in Valentine’s Day 3D models that are cute and delightfully nerdy, like Valentine Love Bender from MyMiniFactory designer Andy Picles.

I’m sad to say that I could find no 3D models specifically celebrating Galentine’s Day, which is the ACTUAL best holiday in February. What’s even more of a travesty is that the celebration of female friendship, to be held on February 13, is not even listed on Holidayscalendar.com. I’m calling Leslie Knope right now. However, you can still 3D print yourself, and your besties, some waffles if you so choose.

In terms of other February holidays, there’s not a whole lot going on in terms of 3D modeling. I’m not touching President’s Day this year, but if you’re not too exhausted to celebrate politics on the 20th, feel free to take a look at some of the many political 3D models we’ve showcased over the last year or so. If you’re able to find any fun 3D models to celebrate National Plum Pudding Day (February 12), Get a Different Name Day (February 13; sure, THAT one’s listed), or National Battery Day (February 18), or especially National Gum Drop Day, by all means, let us know in the February forum at 3DPB.com.