It’s that time of year again: love is in the air, pink and red hearts are everywhere, and Cupid is taking aim. But what do you get for that special someone? Both new and long-term relationships grapple with this problem, especially as mostly-broke students. Plus, the flowers-teddy-chocolates combo is old news. Here are some of HerCampus’ best ideas for DIY Valentine’s Day gifts that show your SO how much you care, without breaking the bank.
Food
Nothing says Happy Valentine’s Day like breakfast in bed or a home-cooked meal. Make it special by adding in a few drops of pink or red food dye and cutting everything into hearts with cookie cutters.
Here are some links to get you started:
Word Art
Not the super creative type? You can use programs like Wordle or Tagxedo to create custom word prints that you can print out and frame. All you have to do is type in a bunch of words that are meaningful to your relationship—an aww-worthy gift for the creatively-impaired.
Sharpie-fied Household Objects
White mugs + black sharpie = a gift that is personalized AND useful. You can also write on plain picture frames, alarm clocks, cell phone cases, notebooks—basically anything that is smooth, plain, and does not need to be washed very often.
Use this tutorial for the mugs.
Fortune Cookies
Everyone loves fortune cookies. This year, personalize some for your sweetie. You can make regular ones, or even pink ones (see #1) and add in your own secret messages. If you aren’t that great in the kitchen (…or live in rez and don’t have an oven!) no need to fret—you can make them out of decorative paper too!
For the edible cookies, click here.
For the paper cookies, click here.
Handmade Card
This is a must no matter what else you get your Valentine or the stage your relationship. The beauty of a handmade card is that you can customize it to suit your needs. Just started dating someone new? You can make him a card that screams “I kinda like you”. For those in a long term relationship, a mushy profession of love may be in order. Long distance relationship cards probably the most important of all, because you know they’re going to read and reread that card until the next time you see each other. So grab some scissors and glue and get creative!
For more ideas, click here.