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These DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts From TikTok Are Perfect If You’re Strapped For Time

Valentine’s Day is a time for us to reflect on the ones we love in our lives, whether that be our family, our friends, or our partners. Sometimes it can be overwhelming for some to dig into their wallet to give love and there exists this idea that you have to get these giant gifts to quantify your love for someone; however, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to really exemplify your admiration. In fact, the best gifts are those that come from the deep warm parts of the heart and that really make someone feel mushy gushy. Enter, these DIY last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts.

I am ecstatic about celebrating Valentine’s Day with my loved ones, but with the chaos of daily life, gift-giving sometimes goes to the end of my to-do list. I salute those who have checked that off. Thankfully, we can always rely on TikTok to get some last-minute gift ideas flowing, specifically ones to make your partner’s heart melt and to score big on relationship points. Made with all kinds of love, here are my favorite DIY last-minute gift ideas that I plan to create in the final hours leading up to Valentine’s Day. I’ve got your back.

WALLET CARD 

Wherever your loved one may go, you will make them feel special wherever they are with just one look in their wallet to a cute little message. This is a keepsake that your partner will have forever as a reminder of your relationship. (Pro tip: I suggest using cardstock for durability.)

@whatellismellied

Mini wallet love letters !! Very easy to make and easily customizable with decorations + a lil note on the back 💌

♬ Écoute Chérie – Vendredi sur Mer
“50 REASONS WHY I LOVE YOU” CARD DECK

Do we have any solitaire geeks here? What about any blackjack masters? This DIY gift is perfect for you and your loved one. Grab a deck of cards and write a reason why you love them on each card. This could range from their sense of humor to their compassionate encouragement. This gift is incredibly thoughtful and can make for a romantic card game night. 

SAME-DAY FLOWERS

Are you feeling the pressure of Valentine’s Day creeping up to you? Or, are you in an LDR? No worries, there are always convenient options, like ordering flowers for same-day delivery. Whether it’s a traditional bouquet of red roses or a vibrant arrangement of tulips, flowers are a great symbol of love and affection to brighten anyone’s day. 

@jaylamegs

every girl loves fresh flowers 🎀🤍🌷 in love w/ this arrangement from @Ode a la Rose — same-day delivery in NYC, LA, DC, Chicago, Miami, Austin & next day delivery throughout the US! #odepartner AD

♬ original sound – Maz | Hotels & Travel Gems
VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT BOX

You can absolutely never go wrong with a cute aesthetic gift box with all of your loved one’s favorite goodies. Go with a theme with your box and wrap up all of the gifts. Whether it’s filled with sweet treats or romantic surprises, this gift box is definitely memorable and makes your loved one feel cherished. A simple gift, but full of love. 

VENDING MACHINE

This is definitely for the creative ones out there, or the engineering-minded, but nonetheless so absolutely adorable. Design your own mini cardboard vending machine and add cute little prizes, like candy, hearts with messages on them, or maybe even a cute piece of jewelry. This makes a good activity and a good gift. 

SCRATCH-TO-WIN CARD

Little does your loved one know that they’re about to get lucky and win the lottery! For this project, you need a scratch-off mixture and a message underneath. I recommend putting cute date ideas underneath as if your partner “won” them. They could also be gifts that your loved one could receive later on. Whatever you choose to write, their reaction will be super special. 

BLACK-AND-WHITE FRAMED PICTURES

This idea is definitely sophisticated and stylish. Showcase your and your loved one’s favorite pictures and memories in black-and-white filters. Lay out the photos and experiment with different arrangements. Hang the collage on the wall and you have the perfect piece of wall decor. 

@charlotterhc

make a DIY valentine’s day gift for my boyfriend with me 🫶🏼 #fy #fyp

♬ Originalton – 𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐑 𝐋 𝐎 𝐓 𝐓 𝐄
SCRAPBOOK

Look no further for a Valentine’s Day gift than a scrapbook filled with creative sentiments. All you need are some saved photos and mementos and you can dive into a scrapbooking adventure, pouring your heart out on each page. 

ARTIVIVE

For those of you who like a little technology moment to show your love, this is the perfect idea for you. Artivive is an augmented reality tool that can enhance your pictures. When I saw this on TikTok, I was in awe. Using the app, for which you can register for free, you can see your pictures come to life. You can document you and your loved one sharing special moments together, expressing your love in an incredibly romantic way. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@eviieeeeeeeeee/video/7330207329834552608?_r=1&_t=8jr6ZcPNEnz
PAPER FLOWERS

Bring your artistic abilities to light and craft your own paper flowers. Make flowers with pink and red hues and even play around with different shades. You can add a personal touch by adding messages on the petals. There are many tutorials available online so pick the one that suits you, grab your supplies, and get to work on a bouquet that will last for years to come!

@alayapaperblooms

there’s still time to DIY your valentine’s gifts! in my years as a paper florist, i know around 7 ways to make roses from cardstock/regular paper. this is one of them, which i learned from the lovely @Sara Kim. i hope you have fun creating this for your loved ones. #diy #paperflower #papercraft #diypaperflower

♬ Piano sleep LoFi slow midnight(808930) – Gloveity
CANDY BOUQUET

For this super sweet DIY gift idea, all you need is a trip to your local convenience store and get some sour strips and long wooden toothpicks. This is super easy and definitely will satisfy your loved one’s sweet tooth. Add some special decorations to personalize the presentation and you could even use it as a centerpiece for Valentine’s Day dinner.  

MINI LOVE LETTER, RECORD PLAYER, and VINYL

For all your musically-obsessed loved ones, this gift idea is perfect and actually adorable. This is definitely a novel way to convey your love and it blends vintage charm with your own creativity. Rather than creating a tiny record player, you could decorate and paint a vinyl record with cute pictures and messages. Though the vinyl wouldn’t be able to play properly, it’s the sentimental aspects that shine through. 

Whether you’re celebrating a special friendship or a romantic loved one, the tradition of Valentine’s Day is an important one. Everyone is deserving of love and this is the day to show it proudly and maybe a little obnoxiously. These DIY gift ideas undoubtedly will make your loved one smile. 

Gabriele Barrocas

Vanderbilt '27

I'm a freshman at Vanderbilt, studying neuroscience on a pre-medical track. I love all things fashion and advocating for ways to promote positive wellbeing. I'm from Boca Raton, Florida so of course I love spending my time at the beach.