Valentine’s Makes, Bakes and Buys

Although most see Valentines Day as a very commercial holiday (and it can be!) the idea of reminding, spoiling and sharing moments and memories with the ones we love gives us a really warm, fuzzy feeling. This year will certainly be different but there are still plenty of ways to show just how much they mean to you. Below are some Valentines makes, bakes and buy suggestions. When it comes to gift giving, it’s not how much you spend, it really is all about the thought that counts. So personalised gifts and/or something you make for your partner is really what it’s about.

Valentines makes

A really simple, cute idea, a Lovabet poster! Grab yourself a canvas or thick stock card and you’ll be done in no time nothing. Be sure to get a frame for it so it can be hung pride of place in the home.

If you have children together, get them involved (that’s the arts segment of homeschooling covered for this week). This idea from TodaysMama on Pinterest would make for a great card.

This idea from Cupcakes and Saltwater is super easy to achieve- the difficulty will be in keeping it hidden from them whilst you make it. To make a personalised mug, you take a blank porcelain mug, a sharpie pen that’s oil based or specific for porcelain, create your personalised design or message, allow the pen to dry overnight, and the following morning, bake your mug/s in the oven (do not preheat) and set the temperature to 180c  for 30 mins and you’re done.

Bear in mind, these mugs will be hand wash only. Putting these beauty’s in a dishwasher will probably cause some,if not all, of the paint to come off.

Create some DIY bookmarks with this fab idea from Old Town Home. Why not pop a private message on the back too, something for your partner to truly treasure.

A simple, cheeky, but effective gift idea from Beckah Craig. All you’ll need is 3 packs of Rolos, some red paper and label and some black ribbon.

My boyfriend did this for Christmas one year and it was a major hit- not just with me, but all my friends were very jealous!

It could be one a week, or one a month. Add in things you like doing such as cinema, day trips you enjoy, and throw in some things you’ve wanted to do, e.g. restaurants you’ve wanted to visit etc.

Valentines bakes

As we’re unlikely to be able to go out to dinner, a home-cooked treat will go down very well (especially if they don’t have to lift a finger). Here are just some of our favourite ideas…

Breakfast in bed is the best way to wake up on Valentines.

Food Ideas Recipes shared this Candy Pop Bouquet idea on Pinterest and we love it! Simple, beautiful and a great alternative to chocolates or flowers.

Filigree Hearts are great to decorate a dessert or wrapped in a box as a chocolate gift and they’re actually really simple to do. All you need to do is trace any cookie cutter shape onto parchment. You melt the chocolate, transfer the chocolate to a ziploc bag, snip a tip and start tracing. After 15 minutes in the freezer, they’ll lift right off. Thanks for sharing this idea on Pinterest,Martha Stewart!

A romantic dinner for two! Take any pizza recipe and mould the dough into a heart shaped treat. Why not bake together?

Valentines buys

Personalised cards on Moonpig are always a winner. You can use a simple design like the one below (the card to my boyfriend last year) or upload photos for more personalisation.

When it comes to gifts, notonthehighstreet.com is your one stop shop. It is the best and (in my opinion) the only place to get the best personalised presents. Here are some of our favourite ideas…

Did you see a movie or go to a concert on your first date? Remembering the details always goes down well so consider this personalised ticket would look fab in the home (Notonthehighstreet.com £18, by Of Life and Lemons).

You can never go wrong with jewellery for a Valentines gift. These teeny, tiny heart studs, by Oh So Cherished, are super cute!

Remember it’s not about how much you spend for this holiday, it’s the thought you put into the gift you buy/make. Flowers are always lovely but more greatly appreciated when unexpected. Hopefully there are some alternative ideas here to really surprise and spoil the ones you love.