We’ve all been there. You’re reading your favorite book in bed, cool as a cucumber, when suddenly you remember something that catapults you out of Kimberley and into vivid reality. It has dawned on you that tomorrow is not just tomorrow. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! (Dun dun dun….) And you have nothing to show for it.
Well, panic no more my fellow procrastinators! I’ve scoured the interwebs high and low for the best of the best, and I have for you a round-up of 30 Last Minute DIY Gifts for Your Valentine! (But most of these apply to all celebrations: birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, you name it! So, save this one for future reference.)
I’ve divided the list up into three categories:
- Printables
- Get Crafty!
- Yummy in my Tummy
And I venture to guess most of these can be completed in 20 minutes or less. Thinking Closet regulars may even spy a few familiar ones in this mix, too!
Let the inspiration commence!
{Pin me! And please pin the other images from their original sources. Thanks!}
PRINTABLES
First up and perrrrrfect for procrastinators is my free printable for 12 Months of Pre-Planned Date Nights! In a pinch, you can even use a ribbon in lieu of a binder ring to tie it all together!
12 Months of Pre-Planned Date Nights by The Thinking Closet
I even created a follow-up post for this project with 101 Creative Date Nights on a Dime to help you out as you create your mini book! You’ll have your 12 date nights brainstormed in no time flat.
101 Creative Date Nights on a Dime! by The Thinking Closet
( have a look on these cute t shirts awesome your partner will surely love it )
Next up is the Valentine’s Day gift I gave Mark last year: 6 different love notes with specific traits I admire about him written on heart notes scattered throughout the house. He loved it! (And the printable is made by one of my friends from college…also named Lauren! Good times, good times.)
Surprise Love Notes by The Handmaden
Here’s a similar concept, but instead of notes around the house, pop this “I Love You Because” printable into a frame and fill in the blank with a dry erase marker all year round. Guaranteed to give your man the warm fuzzies!
“I Love You Because” Printable by Life {Sweet} Life
How fun is this one?! I’m a sucker for root beer floats, so this would a gift for myself, as well!
Root Beer Float Kit & Printable by 30 Handmade Days
This Printable Love Coupon Book pretty much does all the work for you and is full of fun and creative gifts to give your sweetheart!
Printable Love Coupon Book by I Heart Naptime
How ’bout this sweet jar of goodies labeled, “We love you to pieces!” Kara is sending ’em to her hubby who is deployed.
We Love You To Pieces by Happy Go Lucky
Or if Swedish Fish are more his thang, then here’s a fantastic printable by Lil Luna:
You’re Quite The Catch Printable by Lil Luna
Here’s an uber creative use of a Monday through Sunday pill box: give him Seven Days of Love with some sweet treats and love notes from this Dating Divas printable!
Seven Days of Love by The Dating Divas
This one just involves minimal photo editing, your home printer, and voila: you’ve got a gift-worthy picture strip, photo booth style!
DIY Photo Booth Picture Strip by Do Small Things With Love
GET CRAFTY!
Carving initials in a tree is so 2013. Carving your initials in a wax candle is where it’s at, folks! (And if you don’t have a linoleum carver, I betcha a small flathead or cuticle remover tool would work just fine n’ dandy!)
Carved Initial Candle by Henry Happened
Wordsmiths in the group will be keen on this one! The question is, do you raid your own game or go thrifting for a new one?
Scrabble Art by Hot Polka Dot
I love the look of these crochet wrap bracelets with a button…and you could easily turn this into a gift for your man with some hemp.
Crochet Wrap Bracelet by One Dog Woof
Here’s a fun way to deliver a love note. In a heart pocket on a pillow! And while Melanie says this only took her 30 minutes or so to create the entire thing, pillow cover and all, you could always hijack one of those random throw pillows you have lying around, and give it a facelift with the heart pocket!
Secret Love Notes Pillow by It Happens in a Blink
You may have seen this idea floating around on Pinterest, but this is the only one I think could be pulled off last minute. The key? She prints out her 52 things on Avery address labels. Genius!
52 Reasons I Love You by Everything Sunny Always
In anticipation of movie nights and nights at the theatre to come, create a Ticket Stub memory box for you and your sweetie!
Ticket Stub Memory Box by The Thinking Closet
I’m really diggin’ the look of this rustic photo block. Perfect for your rugged guy!
DIY Photo Block Gift by View From the Fridge
I absolutely heart the idea of creating your own pocket-sized flip-book of you blowing him a kiss!
A Kiss In Your Pocket Flip Book by Katie Sokoler | Video on Vimeo
Along the same theme, slap on some of your favorite lipstick and smack away to create some personalized lipstick art!
Lipstick Art by A Beautiful Mess
And as long as you have thumbs and a mug, you can knock this project out of the park. The more thumbs, the merrier, so get the kids in on this action, too!
Thumbprint Valentine Mug by One Artsy Mama
In the same vein, if you have some glass etching cream on hand, you can personalize some glassware with your initials in a heart! {KariAnne’s tutorial shows how to do it without a Silhouette machine. Here’s my etching tutorial if you do have a Silhouette.}
Etched Valentine’s Glass by Thistlewood Farms
For the handyman in your life, how about a set of DIY cuff-links? You could even use nail polish if you didn’t have enamel on hand.
DIY Cuff Links by Runway DIY
Sticks and stones won’t break your bones…they’ll warm the heart of your outdoorsy man with this punny gift!
Sticks & Stones by Rad Megan
Pull out the acrylic paint and create some chalkboard-style DIY art!
Love Birds Chalkboard Art by Two Purple Couches
For those of you with a Silhouette or Cricut, you can add a meaningful phrase in vinyl to a framed photograph of the two of you, like I did for my parents’ anniversary gift.
Embellished Shadow Box by The Thinking Closet
This mason jar matchbox has stolen my heart! DIYer Grace even has the perfect pun to go on your gift tag…click through to see it!
Mason Jar Matchbox by Sense & Simplicity
YUMMY IN MY TUMMY
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach; well, I dare say the same may be true for my heart with this yummy recipe for 2 minute French Toast!
2 Minute French Toast by Pretty Prudent
Or for something a little more savory, how ’bout this heart-tastic play on the “egg in the basket” breakfast treat?
Egg In The Heart Breakfast by Reclaiming Provincial
Nothing quite beats dinner and a movie! Start the night off with this delicious recipe for Teriyaki Steak Salad (because most men appreciate some red meat on their salads)…
Teriyaki Steak Salad by Suburble
…followed by some cozy couch cuddling with one of the 10 Ten Most Romantic Movies {Of All Time}. And these picks were made by Thinking Closet readers so you know they’re on point!
Top Ten Romantic Movies of All Time by The Thinking Closet
For the pun-lovers out there, this is a really creative play on the classic “chocolate” for Valentine’s Day gift!
Candy Bar Card by Repeat Crafter Me
And I hope Mark is not reading this now because I am SO doing this one day. 50 Reasons Why I Love You (all written out on Reese’s PB cups!). He’ll feel loved every time he reaches for a treat.
50 Reasons Why I Love You by Repeat Crafter Me
Or if you want to gift him with a fancy schmancy drink, how about this sophisticated Campari Kiss Cocktail?
Campari Kiss Cocktail by Life in Velvet
I think some of those Berrylicious Heart-Shaped Ice Cubes I made last month would work perfectly in such a beverage!
Berrylicious Heart-Shaped Ice Cubes by The Thinking Closet
And there you have it! More DIY gift ideas than you know what to do with now.
Extra, extra! I’ve got 2 exciting UPDATES for ya!