DIY Valentine's Day Gifts: Candy, Coffee, and Tea

When hubby and I first started dating, we were grad students and super strapped for cash.  For our first Valentine's day, I gave hubby Hershey Kisses with little slips of paper stuck to their bottoms.  Each slip of paper contained a special memory that we had shared together or was simply blank (symbolizing memories that we were still going to make.)

Right now we're about to celebrate our ninth Valentine's day together... and for some reason I got thinking about that first gift.  It was easy to make and didn't cost very much.  But, it was really special for both of us.  Feeling inspired by that first Valentine's gift nine years ago, here are three really easy, affordable, and sweet DIY gifts to make for your loved ones.

To see the details for each one, keep reading!

Materials:

• Cereal boxes
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Colorful magazine pages
• Pen 
• Nice writing pen (I used a thin Sharpie)
• Stapler
• Clear treat bags
• Individual coffee packets (I used the ones from Starbucks)
• Hershey Kisses
• Tea bags
• Blank pieces of paper
• Clear Tape

Directions:

1.  Cut your labels out of cereal boxes.  Make sure they are at least as wide as your clear treat bags.  Fold the label in half so that it envelopes your treat bags.

2.  Cut out identical heart shapes from your magazine pages.  Then, cut those hearts in half.  Mix and match the different patterns.  Use a glue stick to glue your heart halves on.

3.  Write a sweet message on the front of your labels.

 4.  Cut out thin strips of paper.  Then, write sweet memories or affirmations on them.  Be sure to also leave some strips blank to symbolize memories to come. Fold the strips of paper up and tape them to the bottom of your Kisses or to the backs of your coffee packets.

5.  Carefully take off the tags off your tea bags.  Cut out cereal box squares that are similar size.  Then, cut out slightly smaller magazine hearts. Glue the string between the heart and cereal box backing.

6.  Now place your treats inside of your treat bags.  Trim the tops of the bag if they're too long.  Then, staple your labels on.

Voila!  You're done.

 These simple, thoughtful, and lovely gifts  will certainly put a sweet smile on someone's face.

Happy crafting!