Valentine’s Day is known as a holiday for love and a time for letting those special people in our lives know just how much we care about them. In recent years, however, there has been an increasing trend of moving away from the commercialism of the holiday and back to the basics of what it’s all about. People are preferring to give homemade Valentine gifts, rather than a store-bought trinket. Here are some of the best ideas for a special DIY Valentine gift that your favorite person will cherish.
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Bubble bath Gift Set
Does your loved one enjoy a nice hot bath after a long day? Create your own bubble bath gift set this Valentine’s Day! The sky’s the limit with this gift, and you can customize it to fit your sweetheart’s preferences. Grab a pretty gift box or basket from your local dollar store, line it with some tissue or straw, and fill it with all the necessities for the perfect bubble bath. Things you could add to the box include bubble bath, bath salts, candles, scrubs, sponges, essential oils, bath bombs, and anything else that is pretty and luxurious! If you want to be especially creative, keep reading below for how to make your own heart-shaped bath bombs to add to the gift basket!
Friendship Bracelet Valentine Card
There is something inherently nostalgic about friendship bracelets. Many of us spent our childhood making them and passing them out to our besties and favorite people. So, what better than to make a friendship bracelet as a special gift for a friend or loved one? This idea from The House that Lars Built takes it one step further, and uses the friendship bracelet as part of a Valentine card. You can print off one of their adorable templates to make your homemade card, or you can trace your own hand and write a cute little pun on the cover. Attach the bracelet to the card, and voila! A cute little Valentine card that pulls on our childhood heartstrings.
Pretty Mason Jar Candle
Mason jars are so versatile, they’re one of my favorite crafting items! While great for making preserves and canned goods, mason jars also make excellent candle holders and candy jars. This Valentine’s Day, grab a mason jar and get creative! Using the tips from Balancing the Chaos, you can create a beautiful tea light holder that your sweetheart will love. There is no set way for decorating your jar either, simply use what you have on hand or pick up a few easy craft items like twine, colored paper, and wood cut-outs. Using a hot glue gun, stick on the items in whatever design you like, then pop in a votive candle or tealight, and you’re all set with an adorable homemade Valentine that your loved one will cherish.
Valentine Candy Jar
Valentine’s Day and candy go hand-in-hand, but there are cuter ways of giving candy than the traditional box of chocolates (don’t get me wrong, I do love those boxes of chocolates!). Going back to my love for mason jars, this is another DIY Valentine gift where a mason jar is really the perfect thing to use. Just like you would have done for your DIY candle, you can decorate the outside of your candy jar however you like, either using crafting supplies or even just some colorful Sharpie markers to doodle whimsical designs. Once your jar is looking beautifully festive, fill it with your darling’s favorite candies and/or chocolates. Bonus points if you add those favorite but often hard-to-find treats that they love!
‘You Mean the World to Me’ Globe
This idea from Made In a Day has to be one of my all-time-favorite DIY Valentine gifts, it is so adorable! My kids both love to learn about different countries and the world around them, and they enjoy pouring over maps and atlases all the time. So, when I saw this cute little Valentine gift, I immediately thought of them. It is a super easy craft to make, only requiring a globe and some pretty stick-on letters and shapes that you can buy at your local dollar store. Spell out the phrase “you mean the world to me” on the globe, and adorn it with some heart stickers. Now you have a sweet gift to give to your favorite explorer!
DIY Hot Chocolate Bombs
Just like Valentine’s Day and candy go hand-on-hand, the holiday is also synonymous with chocolate! But again, let’s move away from that traditional box of chocolates. Hot chocolate bombs are one of the latest trends, and these bombs from Laughing Spatula are easy and fun to make, not to mention delicious! Depending on what type of chocolate your valentine likes, these can be made with white, milk, or even dark chocolate. This specific recipe uses candy melts to create the bomb, but it is possible to use other types of chocolate. Then, using some pretty decorations, you can turn your hot chocolate bombs into the perfect Valentine treat. Drop them into your mug of warm milk, and watch as they explode with flavor and goodies inside turning your mug of milk into a delicious mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows!
Love Jar
Sometimes it’s nice to know exactly why someone loves us. That may sound strange, but sometimes the little specifics of what attracts us to someone are not necessarily things that we list on a daily basis. Valentine’s Day is that perfect opportunity to really think about, and write down, why we love someone and why they are special in our lives. So why not take all these affirmations and put them in a pretty jar to give to our loved one? Using my good ol’ friend the mason jar again, decorate the outside with a simple ribbon or heart-shaped decoration, then fill the jar with all the reasons why you love someone. Think of the really little things that they may not even realize, write each idea on a separate strip of paper, then fill the jar with the strips. This is a diy gift in a jar that your loved one will really appreciate and cherish.
Homemade Heart Cupcakes
Planning to attend a Valentine party? Or do you know a bunch of people who would enjoy a Valentine treat? Then these heart cupcakes are the perfect answer! This simple recipe from Amanda’s Cookin is totally customizable to your tastes and preferences. Follow the recipe to make some cute heart-shaped cupcakes, and then channel your inner chef and decorate them into beautiful Valentines. Use a variety of icing colors and toppings, there is really no wrong way to make these delicious goodies. Use colored or heart-print cupcake liners that you can get at any local dollar store to complete the look.
Decorated Photo Frame
They say that a photo is worth a thousand words. Perhaps you have a special photo of your loved one, or the two of you together. Make that the basis for your DIY Valentine gift, and pop it into a custom decorated picture frame. Depending on your level of crafting ability and how long you wish to spend on this activity, you can buy a frame that is already the color you’re looking for, or you can paint one yourself in whatever color you like. Grab some cute Valentine decorations (hearts, beads, wooden cut-outs, ribbon, etc.) and use your hot glue gun to affix them to the photo frame. Put in that favorite photo, and wrap it up in time for Valentine’s Day.
Origami Heart Flower Bouquet
This flower bouquet from Design Improvised is one that will stand the test of time. No dead, wilting flowers here; these ones stay fresh and bright forever. Choose your favorite colors of paper to make them with; you may decide to go with one solid color, or you may decide to have a bouquet filled with lots of colors. The choice is yours! Follow the instructions for making the pretty heart flowers, and tie them all together with a lovely colored ribbon when you are finished. You could always display your beautiful bouquet in a decorated mason jar too (I’m starting to think I may have a mason jar problem here!).
Fringed Heart Pinata
We are back to the idea of Valentine’s Day and candy, but this one from HGTV makes the candy a little harder to get! This is a fringed heart pinata that is easy to make and so much fun! Who doesn’t love a good pinata to smash open? Finding all the lovely treats inside is fun and exciting, and definitely something your special person will remember! Follow the instructions on the website, and then fill your pinata with some Valentine-themed candies and goodies. Keep in mind, it doesn’t have to be all candy either – you can always add in little trinkets and toys, especially if you are making this for children. They would love discovering some heart-shaped erasers, pencils, key chains, or anything else that might be fun!
Candy Heart Garland
Are you someone that enjoys decorating your house for each holiday? Then you’ll love this candy heart garland from Tell Love and Party. It is a fun and easy way to create a nice Valentine’s Day garland to decorate your home with. Everyone knows (and most people love) candy hearts, so this garland will be a popular one. Decorate it with your favorite sayings and words, then string it up in your home to enjoy some festive Valentine cheer. Compliment the look with some little dishes of candy hearts and your homemade origami heart bouquet!
Biggest Fan Valentine
I love a good pun, and this card from HGTV made me laugh when I saw it. This would be an adorable gift for a child to give to a parent for Valentine’s Day, but it can really be given by anyone to anyone! This card is simple to make with step-by-step instructions to follow, so your child can do a good part of it on their own. A great Valentine to give to a parent, friend, teacher, or anyone else you want to surprise. It’s a great way to let people know that you’re a “big fan”!
Lavender Sachets
Love and relationships are often full of excitement and energy, so sometimes it’s nice to slow things down and just focus on some relaxing self care. These adorable little sachets from Flamingo Toes are super easy to make, even the beginner sewer will be able to do it! Then they are filled with the beautiful fragrance of dried lavender. These sweet sachets can be placed in linen drawers or cabinets, hung from hangers in the closet, or even just displayed around the house as a pretty decoration with a lovely scent! They make a perfect Valentine gift, but keep in mind that just by choosing different fabric patterns and shapes, you could really have these on-hand for little gifts throughout the year!
Valentine Rose Wreath
I have never been a big fan of fresh flowers, only because you only get to enjoy them for such a short period of time. My husband knows that if he’s going to get me something like that, it’s always better to go with a plant because it’ll last longer. Even better though, is this beautiful heart-shaped wreath that is made with artificial flowers. This beautiful red rose Valentine wreath from It All Started With Paint would make a lovely door hanging to celebrate the holiday. The roses are made from tissue paper and then hot glued onto a piece of cardboard. Super easy and pretty!
Customized Candy Box
Who doesn’t love penny candies?! While they don’t exactly sell for a penny anymore (I am aging myself here), these little treasures are still as popular as ever. If your special someone has a sweet tooth, then this DIY Valentine gift idea from Mama Miss will certainly be appreciated! Grab a tackle box or craft organizer box from your local dollar store or craft store, and then head to the grocery store to stock up on some candies! Fill each little compartment with a different treat, and your Valentine will be thrilled with their own candy charcuterie board!
DIY Sharpie Message Mugs
This is a really simple idea, but one that could be so sweet. All it involves is a mug (any color will do, depending on what you want) and some colorful Sharpie markers. Write a special note, poem, joke, or message on the mug. Decorate the mug with the Sharpie markers, and that’s it! Your gift can be as personalized and special as you want it to be! Let your inner artist shine through and create something special. Fill the mug with some treats or little treasures for an extra special gift.
Marshmallow Pops
While I’m not the biggest fan of marshmallows, my daughter sure is. She eats them every chance she gets. So, these adorable marshmallow pops from The Decorated Cookie would be the perfect Valentine gift for her! These are fairly simple to make, and there are so many different variations that you can do. Depending on what decorating supplies you purchase and what colors of icing you make, you can decorate every marshmallow pop differently to make a beautiful bouquet of marshmallow pops that your favorite Valentine will love!
Date Night Jar
Valentine’s Day is a great reminder of the importance of love in our lives, and sometimes it’s also a reminder that things could do with some spicing up. It’s easy to fall into ruts, with life being busy and people often running in separate directions. But, it is so important to dedicate time to each other, so this Date Night Jar from Tastefully Eclectic is a perfect Valentine’s Day gift to do just that. Get your trusty ol’ mason jar (again with the mason jars), and use some cute Valentine decorations to adorn the front of it. Get some colorful craft sticks and write a different date night idea on each stick. Be creative and fun with this! Think about some spicy date night ideas that would be fun and exciting ways for you and your partner to reconnect. Pop the craft sticks into your pretty mason jar and give it to your loved one in time for your next date night!
Homemade Bath Bombs
Now, this bath themed gift could also be paired with some of the other ideas listed above, such as the bubble bath gift set. These delightful homemade bath bombs from Atta Girl Says are simple to make and such a lovely addition to any bath time routine. The nice thing about these bath bombs is that they are completely customizable. If you know that your Valentine loves citrus scents, then those are the essential oils you use when making them. If they adore the color purple, then that is the color you make them! It is entirely up to you, and they can be made to match any gift theme you had planned. Another gift that can be given year round, just by changing the shape of them and the colors used.
Ombre Valentine Candles
I’ve always been a little hesitant to try making my own candles, although I’m not quite sure why. It seems to be a pretty straightforward process, and yet something about melting the wax intimidates me. That being said, these ombre Valentine candles from DIY Network are so beautiful that I might just have to give it a go. I love a nice candle, and the subtle shades throughout these candles are perfect. I also love that I get to choose the scent of the candle, as some candles are just not my cup of tea at all. Making these as a nice Valentine’s Day gift allows me to totally customize each one to the colors, shades, and scents that I like (or that I think my Valentine will like).
Fingerprint Heart Jewellery Dish
This would be an adorable Valentine’s gift for a child to give to a parent, grandparent, or any other loved one. Because who doesn’t love little fingerprints?! This little jewellery dish from Design Improvised is relatively easy to make, and the best part about it is that you use little fingerprints to make the heart shape on the dish. So cute! These are totally customizable as well; paint them whatever color you like, use a different color for the fingerprint, and even use a thin Sharpie marker to write a sweet message on it. A beautiful little gift with a sweet, sentimental touch to it.
Coffee Mug Mixers
Coffee and chocolate – two of my favorite things in the world. So, what would be better than a delicious chocolate mixer to add to my already-delicious mug of coffee? This gift would be the perfect gift for any coffee and chocolate lover (ahem…me). Simply melt some chocolate (white, milk, dark…the choice is yours!) and pour it gently into a metal or plastic spoon. Adorn it with your favorite toppings, such as chocolate chips, toffee pieces, peppermint bits, crushed nuts, or anything else you like. Place the spoons in the fridge to harden, then wrap them in some clear plastic and tie with a pretty ribbon.
Pick-Up Line Cookies
Like we said before, Valentine’s Day is a fun time to spice things up a bit, and what better way than with some good ol’ cheesy pick-up lines? These pick-up line cookies from Club Crafted allow you to get super corny with your Valentine! Write out some good pick-up lines, cheesy phrases, or sweet messages to pop inside your own homemade cookies. The cookies themselves are pretty easy to make, and decorating them is super fun! Dye the cookie dough red and it will turn out a nice pinkish color. Use red or white icing to dip half of them into, then sprinkle them with some pretty Valentine sprinkles, before popping in your sweet little messages. Such a fun gift to give to that special someone!
Valentine’s Day Strawberry Sugar Scrub
We are back to the self care/spa theme again with this delicious-smelling sugar scrub from Totally the Bomb. Using all natural ingredients, this is a beauty product you can feel good about using or giving as a gift. It only requires 4 ingredients – cane sugar, freeze dried strawberries, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. The end product is the most luxurious sugar scrub I have ever used, and the result on my skin is absolutely wonderful. Coconut oil is my favorite moisturizer to use at the best of times, so having it in this lovely scrub is such a bonus! I plan to make up a few pretty jars of this delicious scrub to give to my mom, sisters, and friends for Valentine’s Day. I see a Girl’s Night pampering session in the near future!
Whatever you choose to do for the special people in your life this Valentine’s Day, do it from the heart! We hope you enjoy these DIY Valentine gift ideas, and that you find one that suits your needs. Be creative, have fun, and spread the love! Be sure to come back and let us know which gift idea you tried!