It is Valentine’s Day very soon. I’m personally not a gift giver or don’t care so much about receiving gifts either. What I do like a lot, is doing activities, games or eating food on particular gift giving days like birthdays, Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Especially, if you have a family or a partner, you don’t have a clue WHAT to give, doing something fun is a great alternative. Or give gifts that are resulting in an activity…or more! But if you really, really like to give him a unique gift, scroll down to find unique gifts to make and unique gifts to buy.
Family Valentine’s Day
When I met my American husband in the early 2000, he wanted to make every Valentine’s Day super special. Of course we just met, that was one reason, but he is an American. The way Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day is way more over the top than the Europeans do.
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Don’t get me wrong. Especially a day like Valentine’s Day should be celebrated more times a year than only once. All I’m saying is, that you can celebrate the love for each other more times a year (read: every day). But it doesn’t have to be over the top with expensive flowers, chocolates or jewelry. You’ll see that some gifts below bring a smile to your (or his) face every day.
Isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is all about? Since our kids were about 6 or 7 year old, we started a family Valentine’s Day tradition. Every year our kids, and now the two oldest are teenagers, still ask for this:
A Valentine’s Day Family Spa at your own home.
Try it and hopefully you’ll be hooked too!
Home made, unique, personalized gifts for Valentine’s Day
1. Coupons:
Two years ago I almost forgot my husbands birthday. We usually go somewhere, just the two of us! But somehow I wanted to add something to these little weekend get-aways! I made coupons.
These coupons are customizable. You can make them as sexy and fun as you want.
2. Wooden Board, personalized engraved
My guy is in the kitchen a lot. He makes lunch almost every day and the best lasagna (recipe anyone?)! Is your partner a king in the kitchen? This could be a fun craft for you and an amazing gift for him.
Here is a video about how to wood-burn a wooden cutting board. Here you can find a wood-burning tool.
But if this is too much to do for you, there are personalized wooden cutting boards you can get, like this wonderful artist on Etsy.
3. Kiss Pass
I love this one. It’s so simple to make and I bet if you have a little girl, she would love to make this for dad! The Kiss Pass is a card which can be laminated and fits perfectly in someone’s wallet. On the card is a kiss (get that perfect shade of lipstick out of your drawer). You can make it as fancy as you want.
4. Exploding Box:
This one of my favorite gifts to give…and actually to have it in the house. I’m thinking of making another this summer. I made this Exploding box for my husbands birthday. He ended up bringing it to his work, because sometimes he was (this was before the COVID pandemic) a few days away at his office.
This gift will be also perfect for all those cute pictures together in a photo box to give for Valentine’s Day!
5. Spotify Song List
For this very creative gift, I have to give my oldest credit. For their partner they made a sweet album or book with cute little drawings and photo’s of both of them AND…. best of all their favorite songs!
They just figured out to copy and print Spotify scan codes and add them to the album. Their partner is able to scan the code with their phone and the song will play!
Here you can find out how to do this. You can change the background colors to match your photo’s or album page!
6. Chalkboard Mug
A few years ago I made a ton of mugs for our teachers. Each mug had its own initial on the front made with sharpies. This is a great gift…and a fun craft. Learn here how to make these cups with markers.
If you like the sleeker looking chalkboard mugs. No need for baking. Here you can find how to use chalkboard paint on ceramic or porcelain. I would sand the mug lightly, then apply a layer of primer. This layer needs to be fully dried to apply the layer of chalkboard paint. Now you can write beautiful messages on the cup and give your sweetheart his coffee. Hand wash only:)
7. Alphabetical Memory booklet
Last but not least: And this could take a while, but is fun to make over several years. Collecting pictures, songs, quotes, words and put them in alphabetical order. For us It’ll be the kids names, the place where we met, volleyball (how we met), bunnies (the only pets we ever had) etc.
Here is a blank booklet you can start with and craft your own.
Do you have any fun and creative gifts, please let me know!
Hello everyone,
Welcome to my Crafty Dutch Girl blog! Grab a cup of “koffie” and browse through fun blog posts about our Dutch family expat life in the USA, Dutch history, Dutch recipes, Dutch things to do in the USA and all kinds of crafts and activities. Don’t forget to connect with me for new ideas! “Groetjes en tot ziens”.