A Super Valentine’s Day Recipe, Gift & Décor Guide

If you were unsure about celebrating Valentine’s Day, well then let my fantastically super-sized inspiration list (full of beautiful and affordable ideas) inspire you into taking the plunge and celebrate the heck out of this upcoming V-Day weekend. Enjoy!

VALENTINE’S DAY FOOD

S’mores Jar Valentines (for teachers, friends, siblings, etc.)

Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies

Red Velvet Brownies W/White Chocolate Icing

Cookies-N-Cream Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Strawberry Lemonade

Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichangas (yup, I never thought I’d see “strawberry” and “chimichangas” in the same name, either, but these look divine)

Sweetheart Cherry Pies (I’d like to think of’em as empanadas, though): I’ll actually be making these for my parents!

BONUS TIP:  If there aren’t cherries in your area (which is also my case), use strawberries. (Feel free to go to Trader Joe’s for the dough as the post suggests, but don’t get your strawberries there or you’ll end up paying $7+ for a smallish box you can get elsewhere for half that price.)

Vanilla Cherry Ice Cream Float (Because who says we shouldn’t have ice cream when it’s cold out?)

Caramel Surprise Snickerdoodles (NO mixer needed!)

Traditional Dulce de Leche

VALENTINE’S DAY GIFTS

Valentine’s Day Subway Art [FREE printable!]

“You LightUp My ____” Candle Card (Image only courtesy of Pinterest user Natalie Davidson)

Just use birthday candles!

BONUS TIP: I’d make their (heart-shaped) flames out of gold glitter so they’re actually lit up>>> Simply draw their outline [like the shape of a drop of water], fill it with glue, then carefully pour glitter and return the rest to the container, and repeat for all of the candles.

Valentine’s Day In A Box

BONUS TIP: Tailor it to its recipient! Make it super romantic/naughty for your other half, more like a picnic for that person you recently started dating, filled with games and homemade sweets for your kids, filled with movies and treats for your sister or other relative whose day you want to make….. The possibilities are endless! What a rad idea!

“Key to My Heart” Banner/Gift Wrap (Image only courtesy of Pinterest user Miryam (source not found anymore))

BONUS TIP: I like that what’s needed to make this can be found anywhere. If you don’t have a vintage key, I’m sure you can either find one at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s or make your own out of cardboard. For the paper/background, I’d perhaps stain some newspaper, collage various magazine cutouts, or even use lace, tulle, velvet or a similar fabric. And then if you don’t have yarn, you could use some leftover ribbon (or stringed beads).

“You Light Up My Life” flashlight

BONUS TIP: The flashlight you see above isn’t really Valentine’s-Day-themed. To make it fit this special day, I’d either use heart cutouts/silhouettes (time-permitting) or leave the stars because they go in with the “light up” idea quite nicely.

A Flower Bouquet

BONUS TIP: No one can go wrong with flowers–especially if they’re delivered to where their recipient will be! I think the key is to not rely on the (more expensive) prearranged bouquets some companies sell, but to rather make the one you’re gifting more yours–more special and more personalized. The one above is a perfect example of a unique bouquet I bet any Valentine would love to receive!

A Mixtape*!!!

BONUS TIP: I don’t know about you, but I actually still listen to CDs (and even have some of the mixtapes I grew up with in my nightstand drawer waiting to be listened to again–as soon as I get a cassette player!). So go ahead and make your Valentine a mixtape; chances are they’ll love its thoughtfulness (because let’s face it: making them ain’t so easy/quick).

*By “mixtape” I don’t mean a mere playlist. I mean a good ol’ fashioned mixtape made on a cassette (for those of you who grew up calling them that) or CD.

Bonus points if you add either a Discman or a Walkman (depending on your needs, obvs) the recipient can take anywhere to listen to your creation!

Lovely Picture Frame (+ Picture, Of Course) – DIY optional but preferable

BONUS TIP: Personalize it with a special memory you shared with the recipient! Bonus points if it involves floppy disks/disquettes!

(Geeky) Artifacts From Their Childhood

Speaking of floppy disks, if my future husband is seeing this and he happens to have a boatload of floppy disks (or “disquettes,” as I grew up referring to them) he doesn’t know what to use for, then let me suggest these 11 ways to upcycle floppy disks. (Actually, I might execute a couple before we meet because holy cow they’re great!).

Gifts related to your recipient’s favorite shows from their childhood or even their favorite toys (Furbies! Tamagotchis!) also qualify and might even grant you MORE bonus points!

Valentine’s Day Candy Face Cards

These would be adorable for relatives living in another town/country.

VALENTINE’S DAY DECOR

Hearts Curtain/Jungle

Any-Message Banner

Buttoned Initial (Image only courtesy of Pinterest user Neat Notions)

BONUS TIP: Add glitter and/or tiny buttons to the spaces between the bigger buttons. Pallet Art/Banner

Burlap Heart Pillow

Reusable Window Hearts (because why not let the kiddos participate too?)

Whisk Candle Holder: This one tops this list for super clever décor! Date night in indeed!

Yarn-Wrapped Letters (link doesn’t work anymore) (I also saw an XOXO that I thought was so cute.)

Valentine’s Day Wreath: I liked how simple yet chic this wreath is. All others I kept seeing were SO complex, which kinda defeats the nature of VDay (i.e., because it’s a made-up holiday, after all).

Valentine’s Day Window

My fave part about this one is that, unlike so much other VDay décor, it can be reused every year and can even be incorporated at a non-VDay celebration or gathering. (Plus, the birdies are so darling.)

Love Candle

BONUS TIP: Get a cheap candle–or group of candles–and go crazy with the glitter. (Just make sure to not light them up, or to keep an eye on them if they’re lit up for a long period of time.)

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Which of these ideas did YOU like or are you thinking of implementing? What other things will you be doing? Do you go all out on Valentine’s Day or just do a few cutesy things here and there? Feel free to share your Valentine’s-themed posts with me so I can check them out!