Valentines Day DIYs 

 While store bought gifts for Valentines Day show care and affection, homemade gifts have a personal touch and sentiment that cannot be replicated. Additionally if you have time to spare, why not blend both of the approaches with a purchased item and something hand-made, making your gift even more well thought out. 

  If you wonder what makes a good Valentine's Day Gift, It is any gift that makes your loved one feel seen and special about themselves. Remember, even if your final product doesn’t quite look like the picture, it’s the effort and care you put into it that matters! 

“Reasons Why I Love You Jar”     

  This craft is simple and straightforward while still holding a deep meaning. You will need:

• Jar with a lid (mason jar, finished candle jar- or even an old plastic container) 

• Markers/ Any writing utensil 

• Paper/ sticky notes 

• Ribbon or string (optional- for decoration)

• Stickers, washi tape and printed pictures (optional- decoration) 

Steps:

1. Cut paper into pieces (depending on how many needed)

2. Write your reasons out using markers, pencil crayons- optionally put stickers/ draw hearts/ any cute symbols 

3. Decorate the jar: Add stickers around the rim and tie a ribbon around the top 

4. Fill the jar with the notes   

2. Marbled Meringue Hearts 

Baking these sweet treats also comes under doing a thoughtful DIY. These take under two hours to make and are incredibly fun to snack on! 

Ingredients:

• 2 large egg whites 

• ½ vanilla extract

• ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar 

• Red food coloring (optional)

Directions:

1. Place the egg whites in a large bowl and let them stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line baking sheets with parchment paper

2. Preheat oven to 93°C

3. Add in 1 tsp of vanilla extract and ¼ a tsp of cream of tartar to the egg whites 

4. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form 

5. Soft peaks infer that the egg whites will have peaks but curl down when you stop beating/ mixing 

6. Gradually add 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar while beating until the egg whites form stiff peaks- the mixture should look glossy and hold firm peaks once the mixer is lifted 

7. Optionally- remove a ¼ cup of meringue mixture and add a few drops of red food coloring to make it pink

8. Lightly swirl in the color as the goal is to achieve  a marbled look

9. Fill a pastry bag with the mixture and pipe heart shapes out onto the prepared baking sheets- make sure to leave some space between the piped out hearts (around 1-2 inches) 

10. Bake the meringues for about 20 minutes until set and dry to the touch 

These cute and delicate treats can be enjoyed by any and everybody! 

Whether you’re better at baking or crafting, try out these easy gift ideas to make your Valentines heart full- love is all you need!