4 Easy DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts

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It can be really hard to find the perfect gift for the people you love on Valentine’s Day. Often you’ve already just given them the perfect gift for the holidays just over a month ago! These DIY Valentine’s Day gift ideas are super easy, and they weigh next to nothing so they can easily be shipped to faraway loved ones too. 

These 4 Valentine’s Day crafts use similar supplies. I recommend gathering everything together and then getting started. If you’re working with kids, try doing all the prep steps (tracing, cutting, etc,) in advance. Older kids should be able to do all of the steps on their own, and toddlers can chip in where they can!

Supplies:

  • A shape to trace (I used a heart-shaped cookie-cutter from my son’s Play-Doh set, but you can use whatever shape you like.)
  • Cardboard (I used scrap cardboard from a box of graham crackers I just finished.)
  • Clear contact paper (About $15 in a craft store—find a coupon for Michael’s and use it!)
  • Colorful craft wool (About $10 in a craft store for a multicolored set. Or can you purchase regular pom-poms.)
  • Glue gun and glue gun sticks
  • Magnet (I used a magnet from a magnetic notepad I just finished.)
  • Printed photos (I printed my photos out on my printer at home, or you could go to a CVS or Walmart and print photos from your phone.)
  • Scissors
  • Tissue paper (I used leftover tissue paper from the holidays.)
  • Wax paper

Prep:

1. Create cardboard templates. You’ll need to create one small version of your shape and one slightly larger version. The cookie-cutter from my son’s Play-Doh set has a smaller inside rim and a bigger outside rim, so I was able to create a big and small version of my shape easily. If your cookie-cutter doesn’t have an outer rim, then you’ll have to use your small version and trace a bigger version to get the same effect. (Pen for scale—this isn’t a super big project!)

2. Once you have your cardboard templates, trace the big template on cardboard twice and cut out the shapes. Next, trace and cut 4 big shapes out of the contact paper. Finally, trace and cut 3 small shapes out of the contact paper. This sets you up to make 1 sticker, 1 tissue paper magnet, 1 framed magnet, and 1 photo frame.

3. Then, tear up tissue paper into small pieces and set aside.

4. Create 28 small, dime-sized wool balls by dipping a tiny amount of wool into warm soapy water and rolling the wool into a ball between your hands. Dip the ball of wool into a bowl of cold water and fix any issues with the shape so that it’s a solid ball. Allow the balls to dry.

How to Make I Love You Laptop Stickers

Right now, I’m really into decorating my devices. I’m not sure why—maybe it’s because I’m seeing a lot of other people doing it too. I designed this craft because of my desire to create fun stickers for my own device, but I think it makes a great gift for anyone in your life!

Steps to create:

For one sticker, you’ll need:

  • 1 big shape and 1 small shape made out of contact paper
  • 1 printed photo
  • Scissors
  • Tissue paper
  • Wax paper

1. Cut a cute photo into a shape smaller than your small shape template.

2. Peel the back of the contact paper from your small shape and put it on the table sticky side up. Stick torn pieces of tissue paper along the edges of the shape. Leave a space in the middle for your photo.

3. Stick your photo in the middle of your small shape.

4. Make sure the small shape is covered with tissue paper. Cut around your shape to shave off any tissue paper hanging over the edge.

5. Set your project onto a small sheet of wax paper.

6. Peel the back of the contact paper from the big shape. Stick the big shape over your project and the wax paper and press all over. There should be a small margin of clear contact paper around your project—this is what will stick the sticker to your device.

7. The sticker is ready! Simply peel the sticker off of the wax paper and apply to any device. You can also easily mail the sticker in a card to a loved one who is far away. 

How to Make I Love You Photo Magnets

After making the stickers, I realized that they can also be made into magnets pretty easily. Instead of topping the small shape with a larger shape, place a small shape over it. Then, attach a magnet on the back with glue.

For one magnet, you’ll need:

  • 1 magnet
  • 1 printed photo
  • 2 small shapes made out of contact paper
  • Scissors
  • Tissue paper

Follow steps 1 through 4 for the sticker project.

5. Peel the back of the contact paper off of the second small shape and place over your project.

6. Flip your project over and glue a small magnet to the back.

Instant magnet!

How to Make a Wool Ball I Love You Photo Magnet

For some reason this year, I’m loving the texture and look of wool crafts. This is an easy craft to make, and it will brighten up any magnetic surface quickly.

For one magnet, you’ll need:

  • A big shape made out of cardboard
  • 1 big shape made out of contact paper
  • A printed photo
  • 14 balls made out of craft wool
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Steps to create:

1. Using the small shape template, trace and cut a photo to fit.

Photograph by Studio 1527 / Sarah Durrant

2. Using one of your big contact paper shapes, attach the photo to a big cardboard shape.

Photograph by Studio 1527 / Sarah Durrant

3. Next, glue the wool balls you made around the edge of the shape. My shape actually took 14 balls, which is fitting, since Valentine’s Day is on February 14! How romantic!

Photograph by Studio 1527 / Sarah Durrant

4. To finish, attached a magnet to the back. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Heart-shaped Photograph by Studio 1527 / Sarah Durrant

How to Make a Wool Ball I Love You Photo Frame

You can easily turn the wool ball magnet into a photo frame that your loved one can place on a desk or bookshelf. Instead of attaching a magnet to the back, attach a small piece of cardboard. 

For one frame, you’ll need:

  • 1 big shape made out of cardboard
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • 1 big shape made out of contact paper
  • An extra piece of cardboard
  • 1 printed photo
  • 14 balls made out of craft wool

Follow steps 1 through 3 for the magnet project.

4. Cut out a small bit of cardboard using the shape below as a guide.

5. Attach the cardboard shape to the back of the project. Then, bend the cardboard slightly. Finally, the frame will stand on its own! How sweet!

What DIY projects are you working on for Valentine’s Day this year? Comment below with your crafty ideas!