Unique Homemade Valentine’s Day Gifts
It’s been a year of back-to-basics, and extravagant nights out have given way to quality time at home. It’s better to impress someone with your thoughtfulness than with a lavish present—although, realistically, no one’s going to turn down either option. Try your hand at these unique homemade Valentine’s Day gifts to show them how you feel with personalized, creative efforts. Don’t worry; these projects don’t require superior crafting skills—just love.
One-of-a-Kind Frame
We’ve never taken more pictures than we do now, but how often do we actually print them out? Visit a drug store photo counter or order prints of the two of you online, and customize a frame for the best one. You can find an unfinished wooden frame at craft stores. Stain it, paint it, decoupage it, or leave it natural. Use a glue gun to attach meaningful cutouts or miniatures, or use a paint pen to add your names or words that mean a lot to the two of you. Even if all you have are gift-wrapping supplies, you can attach a bow at the top or create your own festive mat: Use a frame that’s a size too big for the photo, and center the image on wrapping paper with hearts or an elegant metallic finish. The background will have a greater impact and always remind you of the day.
Marshmallow Pops
Some of the best Valentine’s Day presents involve sugar, and you can make your own treats that would otherwise cost a mint from a fancy coffee shop. What you need:
- Jumbo marshmallows
- White or milk chocolate for melting
- Candy sprinkles
- Candy sticks
Pierce each marshmallow with a candy stick so that each one can balance and remain upright. Melt chocolate in a microwave dish for 30 seconds at a time until it’s liquid-smooth. If you’re having trouble getting the right consistency, add half a tablespoon of shortening or coconut oil. Dip each marshmallow pop into the chocolate, and then cover it with sprinkles before the chocolate hardens. Preserve them with cellophane secured with ribbons around the sticks.
Private Label
You know those movie scenes where the romantic hero lists all the adorable, quirky things he loves about the girl? Incorporate some of those details into a toast, presenting your loved one with a wine or champagne bottle with a personalized label. Just draw your own design on cardstock, and back it with some Valentine’s gift wrap. Attach it to the bottle with glue or double-sided tape. You can draw your initials inside a heart, quote a favorite song lyric, go for a laugh, or write, “I love us.” It’s one of those unique homemade Valentine’s Day gifts that’s a shared experience and a memento to hold onto. Afterward, you can save the label in a scrapbook or use the bottle as a vase for flowers.
If you’re looking for ways to embellish or wrap your project, LaRibbons & Crafts has endless combinations of romantic and sweet paper and ribbon to take it to the next level. Share your love in style.