Think Outside the Box Gifts: Valentine’s Day

February 1, 2011

While chocolates and flowers are always classic gifts, a few fresh ideas just might spark a new tradition. This year, make a sweet statement by turning to our heartfelt gestures and surprises for Valentine’s Day!

Little Gestures that Go a Long Way

Felt Valentine Fortune Cookies fortune cookies inset

To make a felt fortune cookie, start by cutting out a felt circle (4-4.5” in diameter). Snip a piece of floral wire to the same length as the diameter of the circle and lay it across the center of the circle. Next, cut out a new circle of the same size from festively patterned fabric. Use fabric glue to attach the fabric atop the felt, keeping the floral wire in-between the layers.

Once the glue has dried, fold the circle in half over the floral wire. To create the fortune cookie shape, bend the two ends of the floral wire toward one another. When filling with fortunes, consider using a combination of small candies and heartfelt sayings. Here are a few for inspiration:

Those who give love get love.
Thank you for being a friend.
Hugs, kisses & best wishes.

Mini Candy Boxes
Oh-so-cute and easy-to-make, all you need are a few small boxes and craft supplies for decorating. Start with jewelry boxes or emptied matchstick boxes, then use a few pieces of decorative scrapbook paper to cover them. Add embellishments like ribbon, heart cutouts, lace, ribbon or tags—it’s so easy to personalize each box! To complete, fill your boxes with sweet treats, like candy hearts, and give each box to a loved one as a thoughtful holiday gesture.

Sweetheart Tea Tags heart tea tag inset

Use our hot tea guide to purchase the perfect tea, then add festive accents by removing the tags from the teabags and replacing them with paper heart shapes. For that special touch of personalization, write a sweet note on each heart, like “thinking of you” or “we make a good tea-m.”

Paper Cones paper cones inset

Paper cones are simple to make and can be filled with anything from homemade truffles to your special someone’s favorite candy. Our paper cone directions make it easy to create your own! Just purchase festively colored paper and embellishments at your local craft store to add a touch of Valentine’s cheer.

Sometimes it’s the things you can’t buy that say the most. If your loved one’s a fan of the unexpected, try giving the gift of a great surprise:

Clean House: Next time you find yourself home alone, surprise your loved one by going on a full-out clean sweep. For a finishing touch, place an arrangement of flowers with a handmade card on your entryway table.
Romantic Evening: Send the kids to a sitter’s or a sleepover, but keep the plans of the evening to yourself. On the night of Valentine’s Day, prepare a homemade dinner for two (don’t forget dessert) and enjoy a quiet, romantic evening at home.
Breakfast in Bed: The morning of Valentine’s Day, wake up early to prepare breakfast in bed, using our recipes and tips to prepare the perfect surprise.

Do you have an outstanding gift idea for Valentine’s Day? Share your ideas by commenting below and help the Home Made Simple community make it a sweet day to remember!

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