Homemade Valentine Gift Ideas

Saint Valentine's Day marks the special celebration of love and relationships. And there's no better way to show just how much you love someone than putting in the time to make them something really special, that you have thought of just for them. It's unique, it's thoughtful and it's a creative valentine's gift!

Valentine's isn't always about being in a couple, it's also about sharing love amongst friends - so many of these ideas can be replicated to give to your friends to share this special day with them too. It's a lonely time to be single, so including your single friends in your celebration is a fantastic way to keep them cheerful, and why not have a big Valentine's day party where your single friends can all meet...

Here are a few ideas of homemade gifts to make for your husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend:

     1. Valentine's Day Breakfast in Bed
There's no better gift than breakfast in bed on Valentine's day. Or at least take the time to share breakfast together and to create something you wouldn't normally have. Try heart-shaped pancakes, hot apple crumble with cream, smoothies and french toast, bacon and eggs...the list goes on.

     2. Photo Collage
Creating a photo collage is a very unique gift, and it's up to you how much time you spend on it. You could fill a frame, make it as a card, write little notes about what you remember from each photograph, add on some memorabilia like tickets, postcards or initials. Or make a huge wall covering, with just pictures of both of you.

     3. Jar of Sweeties
This may sound simple, but it will be truly appreciated by any Pick'n'Mix lover. Simply buy a large jar (it's up to you just how big you go with this!) and fill it with his or her favorite sweeties. Give it a shake and include some cute little rolled up lovenotes in the jar for them to find along the way with cute sentimental love quotes on it.

     4. Pop-Up Homemade Heart Card
This is a cute and simple thing to make for someone on Valentine's day. Take a blank card, and some red paper. From the red paper cut out a heart shape, with some wings to attach to the card. Fold it in half and attach to the card with strong glue. Or you could create a heart cut-out card, with a nice picture of you both in the window (make sure to back the other side with more card. Add in some lovely sentences about how much you love them to finish it off. Or try this Penguin heart warming card, so cute.

     5. Cookies and Cupcakes
Go beyond your normal baking ability and try something you've never tried. Make red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting if you are a decent baker, or for a total kitchen newbie, try chocolate dipped strawberries and whipped cream. Or for any ability try making some tasty cookies, from standard sugar cookies with 'I ♥ U' frosting to more ambitious and decadent macaroons. Or, make your partner's favorite dessert, whether it's gooey chocolate brownies or light and fluffy carrot cake.

     6. Homemade Hearts Decorations
Start the day with a beautifully decorated house, lots of red and heart shaped decorations of course! This is great to do with your kids in the lead up to the big day - some nice themed crafts. Heart shaped bunting, red felt heart garland, rose petals, crayon shaving hearts, stained glass hearts and chocolate-filled Scandinavian heart baskets are all great ideas for things to make for this special occasion.

Or instead of making just one gift, why not surprise them throughout the day with secret presents? Start with breakfast in bed, then perhaps a beautiful card, then send them to work with a pre-packed lunchbox filled with their favorite food with a little lovenote or poem, then when they get home have their favorite flowers or chocolates on the table and have the table ready for a homemade delicious candlelit dinner for two! The day will be so special, neither of you will forget.

If all else fails, classic chocolate, lingerie, flowers and a mixed CD should work a treat!

Check out these links for even more ideas:
 - A Lovely Day by Bleubird Vintage - this gorgeous blogger made homemade Valentine's day gifts for her children as well as her husband, from beautiful embroidered cards to love coupons.
 - These cute little Valentine's matchboxes are perfect for kids to make or give to their friends at school - great for filling with pink and red sweets too!
 - Create cute little personalised notebooks for your kids, to celebrate how special they are to you!