Valentine’s Day is not just about quality time with your lover. It’s also a great opportunity to show your other loved ones how much they mean to you. The following gifts are simple ways to show your daughters, nieces, co-workers, and friends (single or attached) that you appreciate their place in your life.
Cute can-lid ornament
Save can lids from vegetable or sauce cans. Make sure the edges are not ragged and dangerous for fingers. On one side, make a heart out of pink and red buttons of varied sizes. Glue glitter in the spaces and on the rest of the lid outside the shape. Pick a photo of you and your Valentine to fit the other side. Glue a loop of ribbon to the blank side, then glue the photo on top. You can also only decorate one side and add magnet to the other side, if you would rather.
Beaded art adds sparkle to glasses
Pick up some thin wire and shiny glass beads at a craft store. Wrap the wire around wine glass stems, simple votive candle holders, napkin holders or wire picture frame borders. It only takes a few minutes and the supplies are inexpensive. Prepare a matching set of two wine glasses or decorate a photo frame with a snapshot of you and your best friend.
Aromatherapy sachets keep your friends smelling sweet
Pick out some pretty scraps from your local craft or fabric department. Look for pretty patterns and colors that complement each other. Draw a heart pattern on paper and cut out two hearts from the scraps. Using embroidery thread, sew around the border, leaving a small hole. Flip the hearts inside out, making a pouch, and add potpourri in your favorite scent. Or add a few drops of essential oil to pillow stuffing instead.
Fill your pouch and sew up the hole. Add a ribbon handle to the top for hanging. Embroidery a chain-stitch border around the outside. Add a pretty button or two. Pack two or three complementing sachets in a little box with tissue and your friends will never travel without smelling like roses (or lavender, patchouli, sage, …).
Instead of a travel sachet, you could also use the same technique on a larger scale to make a throw pillow. Embroidery your best friend’s nickname, a phrase from your daughter’s favorite song or a single word (Love, Trust, Peace, etc.) on one of the heart patterns before you sew them together. Add a little lace ruffle.
Add a little ribbon for a big touch
Wrap a pretty satin ribbon around the stems of a simple bouquet (handpicked from your yard or the local grocery florist). The ribbon adds a classy flair to an old favorite and makes simple flowers seem very chic. If you choose roses or similar flowers, the bouquet is already prepared to be dried. Just tell your friend to hang it upside down so the color remains in the blooms.
Send some scrubby bath salts
At your local craft store get a glass container with a lid that has a rubber seal inside. Glue seed beads and a few larger flower or heart shaped beads in a design on the top of the lid. Fill the container with home-made bath salts: one cup fine sea salt, one-half teaspoon liquid glycerin skin moisturizer and one-half cup Epsom salt.
Lighten up with rose candle-holders
Pick up a few glass dishes at the local dollar store – heart shapes are festive, but any shape will work. Cut floral foam to fit. Then cut a hole in the center of the floral foam just large enough for a small votive candle. Cut rosebuds with an inch stem and stick them in the floral foam. Cover the surface around the candle. A simple, pretty, romantic gift any girl will love.
Make a simple wreath
Use a wire hanger to form a heart or circle shape and wrap jasmine or grapevines around it. Weave it around as thick or thin as you want. Add small rosebuds and other blooms that will dry pretty. Pretty stones, shells, ribbon bows, and other touches can be added with florist wire or craft glue. Wrap a ribbon around the hanger’s head and it’s ready to be displayed.
