Handmade Valentine Gifts

by Julia Sandvoss (Feb 11, 2008)

You know the saying that homemade gifts are always more appreciated than store-bought? I believe this holds true even more now that we scrappers and crafters have so many amazing products at our fingertips to work with. No longer do you need to spend time searching the stores for the perfect gift for your sweetie, friends or children. Instead now you can head to your scrap space and make a handmade gift that would rival even the most expensive gift, because you took the time to make it.

Here are some ideas and new twists for handmade gift ideas perfect for Valentine's Day!

Let's start with cards. After all, no Valentine's Day is truly complete without a card for your special someone, girlfriend, grandparents or your children! Acard in itself is truly a gift; it shows you took the time to make it. Here are some cards to give you inspiration for making a special Valentine.

Now that I've got your whistle wet with these ideas for some fun Valentine cards let's move onto some unique gifts.

This gift is perfect for anyone who loves music, and who doesn't! For this gift I found a metal CD tin at my local Target. I covered the case front with Samantha Walker's patterned paper and adhered it with Mod Podge . I then added some Doodlebug stickers, ribbon and a heart charm. I also burned our songs onto a CD and then decorated the CD to match as well.

For this next gift I went with a whole new spin on the "box of chocolates" gift. I decorated the box itself and made a matching card. This box becomes much more than an empty box once those candies are gone. You can use the box to hold a mini album made to fit inside the box, a special photo of you and your sweetheart or even reuse it the next year and put a completely different type of gift inside like movie or concert tickets.

How about some gifts that look great around your house or perhaps a friend's or grandparent's! This first idea is easy to do and kids can help too. I purchased some MDF letters from my craft store and covered them in Paper Salon's beautiful Smitten line.

What about some decorations for the walls or to even hang outside? I loved an idea that fellow designer Sherry Wright made using a chipboard frame, so I was inspired to create this. I cut out three different hearts and popped them up with foam adhesive. I added some stitching around the chipboard frame and then inserted the layered hearts making a really fun wall hanging. What girlfriend would not like to receive this?

Here's a very simple gift idea using a wood craft heart item I found at a local craft store. I simply traced the heart shapes on papers, print and solid for each side, and used Mod Podge to adhere them. When it turns you'll have all different combinations of patterned and solid papers. If you have a covered porch area this would be adorable to hang outside.

How about some treats? Not everyone wants a box of chocolates. Maybe your taste is more about gummi bears or Life Savers, or quite possibly, some non-related food items. For this gift I used a leftover ice cream container that I cleaned out. I wrapped the container with BoBunny's Smitten line and decorated the lid top too. I then made a matching card. This container could be used for so many gift ideas and once again reused next year!

Speaking of food, I couldn't resist sharing these. I came across these heart-shaped suckers at Target. I thought they would be fun to give my kids on Valentine's. I used a bucket purchased in the dollar bin, some red hot cinnamon hearts and glitter heart picks bought at the craft store. Look what a loving gift I have for my kids.

Let's not forget a mini book. What time is better than Valentine's Day to share how much you love your hubby or wife or that special someone? For this album I used a folding technique to keep it small but still get quite a bit in the album. I also used BoBunny's bright and colorful Heart Throb line.

This last gift idea, I'm going to give myself! I absolutely adore it. I used a Styrofoam cone, pink felt, a wood dowel, an old wooden thread spool, an Autumn Leaves clear button, pins and BoBunny's Smitten line. I finished it off with a matching card. Happy Valentine's Day to me!