On Valentine’s Day, people flock to stores and flower shops to look for ideal gifts for their loved ones. Commercially available products can be cheap and convenient, but nothing beats a homemade Valentine’s Day gift.
This Valentine season, show a little more effort by making personalized homemade gifts. It does not require a great deal of talent or time to make these special gifts. Here are a few ideas.
Scrapbook
A scrapbook is easy to make and shows the giver’s personal concern for the recipient. To make a simple scrapbook, start out by choosing pictures taken during special occasions (e.g. anniversary, marriage proposal, first weekend together, travels). Some of these pictures may be cut out and combined in one scrapbook page.
Choosing a theme creates a special message. For example, a scrapbook may be about places visited by the couple or moments celebrated with family and friends. Once a theme emerges, look for appropriate scrapbooking accessories such as stickers, borders, ribbons, etc. Finally, put together everything with your glue and scissors.
Homemade Beeswax Candles
Homemade beeswax candles are another great gift for Valentine’s Day. Making candles is actually quite simple. Candle-making kits are usually available in craft supply stores and already include tools, ingredients and step by step instructions on how to melt the wax, insert the wick, pour the candle and allow the candle to set before releasing it from the mold.
Use dyes and perfumes when creating the candle. This adds a personal touch to the gift. Just make sure that the recipient is not allergic to a particular type of scent.
Compilation of Favorite Music, Videos or Pictures
One final idea for a homemade Valentine’s Day gift is a CD or DVD compilation of favorite music, videos or romantic pictures. Free software is available for combining music, video clips and pictures. This may sound complicated, but with a little help from software technology, compiling should be easy. If lack of knowledge is a deterrent in achieving this goal, ask a friend to help. Doing so will not lessen the personal touch included in the gift.
Fashion Accessories
Fashionable accents are not limited to females; men can have them too! Create jewelry that the person can wear any day. Start by choosing an item that is relatively easy to make and can be worn at all times (e.g. necklace, bracelet, earrings, bangles). Then think of the person’s favorite colors.
Purchase a jewelry making kit, available at most arts and crafts supply stores. Choose a kit that contains charms or beads that are suitable for the person receiving the jewelry. A male person might like wooden beads, while a female person might prefer colorful charms and crystals. Simply enclose the jewelry in a Valentine’s Day card or put it in a small jewelry box.
