From Valentine’s Day to Dia del Amor y la Amistad, the Latin American Student Organization will be making cards in Spanish on Monday and Tuesday.

LASO will be having Dia del Amor y la Amistad, or Day of Love and Friendship, at 8 a.m. to noon in Coleman Hall and noon to 3 p.m. in Andrews Hall on Monday and Tuesday.

Karla Centeno, the vice president of LASO, said they will be selling candy for 50 cents for students and faculty to give to their significant others or their friends.

“The title itself really focuses not on just celebrating your loved ones, but your friends and family too,” Centeno said. “Here we celebrate both too, but the real focus (of Dia del Amor y la Amistad) is on significant others.”

Centeno said the traditions of Dia del Amor y la Amistad are the same as Valentine’s Day.

“A lot of the typical ones are the same, like flowers, chocolate,” Centeno said. “There are not any big changes in the traditions they carry out.”

She said they will be selling cards that come pre-made with lines that translate to “I love you,” “Be Mine,” “Happy Valentine’s Day” and other Valentine’s Day quotes for 50 cents.

“We try to keep (the cards) simple, so students can give them to whoever they want,” Centeno said. “There will be simple ones that say ‘thanks for being my friend’ and stuff like that.”

Members of LASO will also be at the tables to make personalized cards for $1.

“If there is another message they want in the cards, they can write it out and want to get translated; they are welcome to do that,” Centeno said.

She said she thinks the card will be fun and different than the normal ones students usually receive.

“It’ll be interesting for the people receiving them to read it,” Centeno said. “It’s not something they will expect; to open their cards and see Spanish writing.”

Centeno said this event give students a new way to experience Valentine’s Day.

“I’m looking forward to students being able to surprise their friends and loved ones with these personalized or prewritten cards,” Centeno said. “I think it’ll be good cultural switch to the typical Valentine’s Day card that is typically given on those days.”

She said she hopes students enjoy the cards.

“I think it’ll be a really nice treat for others and students will be happy they did it,” Centeno said. “It’s not something you see a lot.”

Centeno said she hopes the cards spread love and friendship.

“It’ll be interesting to give the cards away,” Centeno said. “I can’t wait to spread the message of Valentine’s Day out in a different language.”

Samantha McDaniel canbe reached at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.