By Jenny Edengard
Staff Writer
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if you haven’t bought a gift for your Valentine yet, or are short of ideas, here are some suggestions to make your gift memorable and personal. What could be more personal than giving something you have made yourself? Some of these ideas are easy to make, thoughtful, and only cost under $10 each.
1. Make a Love Note Jar.
You need a transparent jar, notepaper, pen and glue. The jar can be bought at Michaels for $1.99 – $9.99, depending on the design. Alternatively, if you, like me, have an old jar sitting around at home, just wash it thoroughly to get rid of any residue. If you want to add some color, drape paper or fabric and glue it
to the lid. Fill the jar with love notes, poems, compliments or thoughts, and memories, such as “I love you because you are you,” or “You are my world.” If you are feeling extra-inspired, make 321 notes, one for each day remaining in 2015. This gift was created and recommended by www.kindnotes.com.
2. Design a Wall Print Frame.
You need a frame, paper, paint or coloring pens. The frame I used is from IKEA, for $1.99, but any frame would do. Target and Michaels also carry frames. Alternatively, if you have an old frame at home, it works just fine; you can give it new life by adding another coat of paint. Make your own personal wall paint frame with your most important dates, such as your first date, anniversary date, engagement or wedding date. Paint or draw your most important date(s) on a piece of paper. Then, put it in a frame of your liking.
3. Seven Days of Love:
You need a seven-day medicine holder, small candies, and note paper. A weekly pill planner compartment can be found at any drugstore, ranging from $2.99- $5.99. Open all the seven lids and fill the compartments with candies and a love note for each day. Candies that easily fit into the small compartments are skittles, nerds, M&M’s and tic-tacs.
For more ideas of how to create your seven days of love gift, go to www.karlamcurry.wordpress. com.
4. Homemade Love Potion Tea
Make your own Love potion tea for your valentine.
You need:
2 teaspoons of black tea
1 pinch of rosemary 3 pinches thyme
3 fresh mint leaves 4 lemon leaves
3 cups water
1 drop of red food coloring
A teakettle
Optional for serving: sugar and honey
Directions: Place all ingredients in a teakettle, with three cups of spring water. Bring to boil then strain and serve. Sweeten with sugar or honey for a sweeter taste. For more ideas to create love potion, go to www.links2love.com.
5. Homemade Heart-Shaped Candy
A super easy recipe for homemade heart shaped candy.
You need:
1⁄2 cup of granulated sugar
6 tablespoons of gelatin powder
1 1⁄2 cups of pink lemonade concentrate 1⁄4 cup of filtered water
2 drops of red food coloring
A heart shaped silicone mold
Optional: powdered sugar
Directions: Mix all ingredients in a pot; slowly bring to simmer while constantly stirring. Take it off the heat when all the sugar has melted. Pour the mixture into heart shaped silicone mold. Leave it at room temperature, until it hardens. If you like, you can coat them in powdered sugar.
If you rather want to aim for the classic Valentine’s Day gift, such as flowers or chocolate, here are two classic ideas with just a little personal touch.
Personalized M&M’s
Chocolate is one of the two most popular gifts for Valentine’s Day. You can personalize your chocolate at M&M stores or order them online.
Customized M&Ms in a red, heart-shaped tote with a window to display the M&M’s and your personal messages is a great gift. Your messages can contain a maximum of nine characters on each of the two lines, or you can choose clip art, prices from $14.99 – $39.99, shipping excluded. The last day to order for delivery before Valentine’s Day is Feb. 12
at noon. For more information, visit www. mymms.com.
Flowers with a message:
Flowers are another classic gift. Instead of buying an already made Valentine’s Day card and signing it, make it more personal by attaching a personal note around the stem of each flower. For example, if you buy a smaller bouquet with three roses, write three different notes. On one note, say, “why I cannot love without you,” – on the second “why I love you,” – on the third “What makes that person special to you.” Depending on how many flowers you buy, you can add small love notes, or if you want to keep it simple, buy a rose and attach a love letter to its stem.
At LIU Post, students prove that a personal Valentine’s Day gift is highly appreciated and fun to make. Edd Costa, a senior English major, described a Valentine’s Day gift he made, “A vinyl record with songs connected to things we did together.”
Gabrielle Messina, a junior Elementary Education major, said that last year she made a personalized gift for her boyfriend. “I filled a mason jar with Swedish fish and tagged it with ‘I am hooked on you.’” Messina explained that her boyfriend is a fisherman, and the gift was very well received.
Heather Weiland, a junior Biology major, said, “One year, I made heart shaped cookies and copied down the sayings from the candy heart sayings.”
Josh Levine, a junior Psychology major, explained how he carries around a personal gift he received from his girlfriend, a metal guitar pick engraved “Forever and Always.”
No matter what gift you give on Valentine’s Day, it’s the thought that counts. Giving a personal gift that you spent time and effort to make really shows how much you care about your valentine, plus it’s fun to be creative and always a great surprise.
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