If you’re the kind of person who heads to the supermarket on February 13th and just grabs a last-minute box of chocolates/bunch of flowers/bottle of wine to go with any old card off the shelf, why not make the effort to go DIY for Valentine’s Day this year?
There are plenty of DIY gifts you can make for your loved one that don’t require much in the way of creative skill, and plenty of them are cheap to put together as well.
Being creative for Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to break the bank, and during this time of economic upheaval when we’re all trying to do our bit for the environment and think eco-friendly, don’t just buy ‘a piece of junk’ that’ll end up in a landfill.
Read our list of top DIY lovey-dovey gifts (for her and for him) to give your loved one something really unique, special and full of love.
Gifts for Her
Hand-picked Sweet Treats
A red, heart-shaped box of chocolates tied with a silky ribbon is the traditional valentine’s gift for your lovely lady, but it isn’t that original, or special.
Beauty Box
Another top choice for ladies is something ‘smelly’ – bath bombs, moisturizer, make-up, shower gel, bath bubbles, bespoke scented soap, nail polish, body scrub, face masks…
There are endless beauty products for you to choose from that will ensure you get something special for your loved on this Valentines day. To make is extra special, rather than buying a standard gift box collection, pick and choose yourself and make up the box from scratch. You can buy a decorative box, use a glass jam jar or even fill a hamper basket (rattan or wicker are nice) with rustic straw.
Date Night Jar
Trying not to buy too much ‘stuff’ this year? Don’t want another teddy bear cluttering your girlfriend’s bedroom?
How about making a DIY Valentine’s gift that is all about experiences rather than things? Fill a jar with colorful slips of paper, each one with a ‘date night’ idea written on.
Do you have a weekly/fortnightly/monthly date night? Write a year’s worth of ideas according to your usual timetable.
Ideas include: go to the cinema, see a play, go out dancing, visit your favorite restaurant, take a day trip, go to a spa, watch a classic movie, or bake a cake together.
Personalized Engraved Candle
A scented candle, or a candle in a heart-shaped votive, is a great choice for a Valentine’s Day gift.
Not only do they smell great, but they give that romantic atmosphere to whichever room you light it in – perfect if you’re planning a cozy night.
Scratch Card
If you like arts and crafts, here is an easy make that will impress your loved one.
Using this tutorial, learn how to make your own scratch card with a personalized message inscribed.
You can visit here to get some ideas and make a card with different scratch off options to choose a certain surprise.
You can also make up your own design where the scratch-off reveals a special message, or perhaps even a special question? I’m sure you know the one I mean! the sort of question that ends with a ring… Do you need any more hints?
Chocolate Truffles
Even if you don’t do much cooking or baking, sweet treats aren’t too difficult to make and will be the perfect Valentine’s gift if you want something DIY for your loved one.
Truffles are a great choice for this special occasion – not too hard to make, lots of different flavors, luxurious taste and easy to package in a box, mason jar, jam jar or cellophane packet.
Check out this recipe for ideas on how to make your own truffles, and get creative with the optional toppings – chocolate chips, chopped nuts, desiccated coconut, freeze-dried fruit flakes, 100’s and 1000’s, edible gold dust, chocolate nibs, cocoa powder, Japanese kinako or matcha powder… endless choices! Get creative.
Other Sweet Treats
If chocolates or truffles don’t float her boat, how about some other sort of sweet treat?
Paper Flowers
Does your loved one have allergies that mean she can’t enjoy cut flowers? If so, you can still treat her to a bouquet without giving her a sneezing fit.
Making your own paper flowers in remarkably easy, and can be done with origami paper, tissue paper, crepe paper and more. For origami tutorials, check out this link for a variety of patterns – the nicest of which are the kusudama flower and the rose pattern.
If you want a bit more guidance for making paper flowers, check out these kits which will provide you with everything you need to creative a beautiful bloom.
Love Book
Does your missus love reading? For a special DIY valentine’s day present, how about a book that’s all about how much you love her?
It can’t get much better than that! Using the Love Book website, create a bespoke volume where the illustrations are tailored to look just like you and your significant other. Get creative and make a keepsake that your partner will cherish forever.
Printed Fabrics
Does your lovely lady like to get creative in the kitchen? How about making her a hand-printed oven-mitt, tea towel or apron to wear when she’s cooking?
Or if kitchen items aren’t her thing, how about a printed cushion or pillowcase to make her think of you each time she lays her head on it? Or a lampshade with handprinted fabric, or a throw for the sofa? Or a t-shirt? The options are limitless!
Potted Plant
Love isn’t static, it grows just like we do, getting stronger with each passing year. If your special lady likes plants but not the limited time frame on cut flowers, how about gifting her a potted plant for Valentine’s Day?
Better still, plant a seed in a pretty pot a few weeks early, and give it to her just as the little shoot is sprouting out of the ground.
It won’t look like much to begin with, but as the weeks and months go by, the plant will grow and eventually bloom, with each new stage of its development reminding your loved one of the blossoming relationship you have.
Pick out her favorite flower, or something with a nice scent or pretty colors. If you’re not sure what to choose, ask for advice in your local garden center while you’re shopping for a decorative planter.
Remember that you can always buy a plain terracotta one and paint it yourself for a really creative DIY gift.
Gifts for Him
Romantic Meal for Two
They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and what better way to say ‘I love you’ than with a homecooked meal?
Eating in for Valentine’s Day will help to keep the costs down, and is also a great backup choice if you discover last-minute that all your favorite restaurants have been booked up.
Knitted Love Tokens
Are you a dab hand with a pair of knitting needles? There are all sorts of knitted items that you can make for your loved on this Valentine’s Day.
Does your Mr like to get a takeaway coffee on his way to work? Knit this cup warmer to make sure his beverage doesn’t go cold before he reaches his destination. Or why not make a knitted Valentine’s Day card? This free pattern will show you how to make a heart-filled square, which you can adapt to make all sorts of things.
Toiletries Travel Bag
Does your loved one go away quite often for work? If so, a new toiletries travel bag could make the perfect gift.
Whether you like to sew by hand or using a sewing machine, making a small bag is a quick make that you can put together in an evening.
Pick out some patterned fabric that your special man will approve of, and choose one of the patterns featured on this website – they have everything from small zip bags to cosmetic rolls.
Home Baked Cakes or Cookies
You can’t go wrong with something edible, and if you don’t have time to put together a whole meal, how about baking your loved on a box of cookies or a special cake to celebrate valentine’s day?
Top flavors include indulgent chocolate, typical red velvet cake, strawberries and cream, white chocolate with raspberry, chocolate brownies with Oreo pieces, or your own special invention based on what your loved one likes best.
Whatever you decide to make, serve the gift in a decorative box for that special flair.
Photographic Gifts
Photographs always make a nice present, but there are so many photographic products to choose from these days that it can be hard to know what to pick.
On Photobox you can easily upload your own images to make a special Valentine’s Day present.
Aside from the usual printed photographs (all the way up to poster size) and canvas prints, you can also arrange top photographs together in a printed album – a great reminder of the last romantic holiday you two took together.
Other gift items available on the website include t-shirts, mugs, jigsaw puzzles, cushions, mobile phone cases, magnets, coasters, aprons, tins, playing cards, keyrings, snow globes, teddy bears and more. My favorite is the wooden keepsake box – imagine one of these filled with candy, cookies or chocolate? Epic gifting!
Pebble Painting
Putting paint to pebble is all the rage at the moment, and what better way to create a unique gift for your loved one that by picking up a paintbrush?
A heart-shaped rock would be ideal, but any shaped rock will do as long as you choose a romantic subject to decorate the stone with. You could even use the pebble as an invitation, by painting the words ‘Dinner at mine?’ or ‘Meet you at Pizza Hut’ onto it.
Think of something unique and creative to make this gift personalized to your loved one.
Keepsake Box
Want to find a unique way to tell your special man what he means to you? How about a special keepsake box with personalized hearts inside?
The heart-shaped pieces of wood can be engraved with your personal message, which can be as silly or sincere as you like, and kept inside the ribbon-tied box. Think about what special messages you want to tell your loved one.
Origami Gift
The art of Japanese paper folding can be a great way for you to make something special when Valentine’s Day swings around.
Aside from the usual origami creations, take a look at the Origami Club website for patterns to make the following gift items: small boxes, folded hearts, chopstick rests and more.
Hamper for Him
Perhaps your man is a foodie, but isn’t keen on chocolates or candy. If so, you can still get him an edible gift – boxes of chocolates aren’t the only option.
Red Letter Days
Want to gift an experience rather than a thing? If you don’t know where to start with picking the perfect experience for your man, head over to Red Letter Days.
This gift purchasing website will enable you to buy a gift voucher (so he can pick from himself) or for you to choose a specific experience package for your man to enjoy.
Buy an experience you can enjoy together – a spa weekend, meals out, pampering sessions, wine tasting, hot air balloon rides, theatre, short breaks… so many ways to get in the romantic mood together!
If you want something just for him, think about adrenaline sports, wild sport experiences, super car driving outings, beer tasting, train experiences and more.
Summary
You don’t need to be into arts and crafts to make a DIY gift for your loved one these days – there are plenty of things available for you to get creative with, even if you’re no good at making things yourself.
Whether you want to treat your loved one to something you’ve made with your own hand, or opt for an experience present rather than something from a shop, there are countless options to show your love this Valentine’s Day. Get cupid creative for 2019 – think out of the box and make it a special occasion to remember!
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