While it’s important to show appreciation for our loved ones year-round, Valentine’s Day offers us a special opportunity to treat them to something special. Flowers, jewelry and chocolates are great, but the best gifts come straight from the heart and not from the store. It is incredibly impactful to spend time and effort on something rather than simply buying it. Show your friends, family and loved ones how much you care by creating your own Valentine’s Day gifts. Use these tips for inspiration to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember with memorable, cost efficient gifts.
Handmade Cards
Creating handmade cards is a personal, fun and inexpensive way to show someone you care without breaking the bank. Be as creative and personal as you like by designing your own cards from start to finish. Pick high quality stationary, stickers and other finishing touches and use Zebra Zensations brush pens to hand letter your own messages. Use an inside joke, a meaningful quote or a heartfelt message to complete a card they will hold onto forever.
Sugar Scrubs
Sugar scrubs are a great way to exfoliate your skin while relaxing and practicing selfcare. While there are many sugar scrubs to choose from, they’re super easy to personalize and make at home. Combine 1 cup of granulated sugar, ½ cup of coconut oil, and essential oils of your choice into a decorative jar. Lavendar, peppermint, chamomile and tea tree all have calming effects and are ideal for unwinding. Decorate the jar with ribbon, twine, or a colorful handmade label using Zensations fineliners. Enjoy for smoother, healthier skin.
Book/Bookmark
There’s nothing quite like the gift of knowledge and enlightenment. Give your significant other a book about a subject or person that interests them, and pair it with a handmade, heartfelt bookmark. Hand letter a phrase, encouraging message, or illustrate a unique design. Laminate the bookmark when you’re done so your partner can use it for years to come.
Candle
Candles can help create a sense of calm, peace and serenity that is invaluable during a busy week. Grab a friend and attend a local candle making workshop for a fun activity that results in the perfect gift for a friend or significant other. They are also easy to make at home, using scents, containers and sizes of your choice.
Soap
Soap is a pleasant, practical and cost-efficient gift that keeps on giving. The color, scent and shape combinations are practically endless, giving you plenty of creative freedom to make soap for significant others, friends, family and coworkers.
Shadow Box
Our lives are made up of tons of tiny defining moments, and the same can be said for our friendships and romantic relationships. Celebrate the little things in a big way by creating a shadow box craft. Purchase a shadow box from a local craft store, and fill it with small, meaningful objects including ticket stubs, photos, and other sentimental things that signify your relationship.
Homemade Sweets
Store bought candies, cookies or other sweets are great when you’re pressed for time, but homemade treats mean even more. Baking gives you an opportunity to create many gifts at once, making it perfect for a large group of friends or an office setting. Package your baked goods in festive bags or boxes and enjoy.
Bath Bombs
In our busy lives, taking the time to relax and reconnect with yourself is invaluable. Bath bombs are a staple of selfcare, which makes them a perfect gift for anyone on your list. Bath bombs can be easily made at home, and can include all natural ingredients and essential oils. Use heart shaped molds to create perfect gifts for a group of friends.
