Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re like me, you want to do something that’s more meaningful than commercial. I came up with this gift that can work for anybody special in your life.
I used a fun font on my computer to create a list of fun (and cheap!) things to do. This could be a list of activities to do with your kids or things you enjoy doing as a family. You could fill this with coupons for your kids or write things you admire and/or are thankful for about someone. There are a lot of possibilities.
Make sure you put enough space between lines so you’ll be able to cut them out. I then printed these out on red, white, pink, and patterned scrapbook paper and cut them into strips.
I put the strips in a mason jar. I cut up some of the paper scraps into confetti and put that in the bottom of the jar. And I decorated the jar with scraps I had in my scrapbook bag, plus I made a “Great Date Ideas” label to glue to the front.
Finally, I made a card, again from things in my scrapbook bag.
It’s a great way to use up those things you bought but have never used. You can also use leftover art and school supplies or find them on sale or with weekly coupons available at craft stores. Yes, it takes more time than buying a present, but it is loaded with meaning because it came from your heart, something everyone appreciates.
And something for you! I’ve joined up with other writers to offer our readers a special Valentine’s Day countdown with giveaways. Each day will be a post by another author so check the link each day! Most of us will do a giveaway each day plus a grand prize giveaway–a $50 Amazon Gift Card. Check it out!
Comment below for a chance to win an ebook version of my Valentine’s book, Be Mine. The fun only lasts until Feb. 14th! And checkout this link for the grand prize giveaway plus links to other authors who are participating. https://www.jackiecastle.com/valentines-countdown.html
Loved this. I have a bunch of scrapbooking stuff that’s not been used. (One of those many new hobbies that fell by the wayside). Thanks for sharing your neat idea. And thanks for participating in the Valentine’s countdown.
thanks for the great ideas!
thanks for the great ideas
Fun idea. In the past, I have given Love Coupons. Free hugs and Kisses! Pick the entree for supper. Pick dessert or breakfast. Movie night. Lots of fun and inexpensive ways to spread out a gift. Write a poem or short story. Thanks for sharing. Enjoying this countdown- not overwhelming with one author one blog per day. Relaxing and reflecting on different aspects. Less is more. Have a great weekend. You are a new author to this avid reader.
Hubby and I haven’t been good about doing date nights. This would be a great gift for him – a list of date night ideas to make it easier to plan for them!
So cute! Great idea!
Awesome idea! Love ? it!!
This is a great idea!!! Especially for those with children!!
Creative! Thanks for sharing!
Very cute card. Encourages me to get back to card making.
Great idea; I love the craft idea – and the fact that it’s something from the heart and not expensive.
Thanks for the chance
So much we can “cook” up to show our appreciation to those we love. I am making rec velvet brownies and a heart shaped meatloaf. My fun begins the 1st and ends the 14th as well. I just do little different than normal things
I consider myself a crafty person (LOL). I love these ideas. Thank you.
What a cute idea! I could be sly and put about ten of my chick flicks on those strips of paper, but that wouldn’t be fair to my hubby. 🙂 By chance, do you have the date ideas somewhere we could borrow? 🙂
Great ideas! Thanks for the opportunity to receive your book. Happy Valentine’s Day!
If I had someone special in my life that would be a great idea. It would also be a great idea for something special to do with the Grandkids.
Thanks for sharing your cute ideas!
What a wonderful idea and thank you so much!
What a great idea!
Love your ideas!
Really great idea! Thank you for sharing!
Cool ideas!
Awesome ideas, thank you!
Crafts are not my joy. But I believe I could handle this little project. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the great idea.
When my kids were young, I had them make coupon books with things like this to give to thier dad for Father’s Day.
I’m going toshare your lovely ideas with my daughter and grandchildren. Looks like something we can do together!
I love your ideas. I am no very crafty but these are something I could do. Thanks for sharing.
I love these ideas! Something homemade and created by me to be used by my husband and I. Thank you for sharing your creative ideas. I, unfortunately, did not inherit the creative gene that both my parents have lol.
Great idea! I may adapt this for my teen.
Wonderful idea and inexpensive too! It comes from the heart! ❤️
Do you sew? Most of my stash is fabric, but there are nifty things one can do with cloth, too. Thanks for getting me thinking (and my husband will thank you for helping me to get a move on with the clean up/clear out/give stuff away plans so we can relocate to OH now that he’s retired).
Cute ideas & great ways to use scrapbooking supplies I already have.
Never thought about this, will try this. Just the anticipation of what the other person will pick, super fun . Thank you
Those are great ideas! We do similar things in our family for many gift giving celebration days. Money is hard to find – especially on one income with 6 kids and a revolving door of rescue pets. So out of necessity we started making coupon books for Mother’s & Father’s day. This then branched out to include Valentine’s, Easter, birthdays, and so much more! We don’t get fancy with using a computer to print things out – we use it to help with handwriting since the kids are homeschooled.
My kids seem to be much more caring about themselves and each other. I figure that has to be an offshoot from doing this activity where they have to know about each other’s likes and dislikes. Everyone tries to Trump each other with their coupon books. It’s so bad we had to start limiting the number of coupons & uses per coupon! These have been a wonderful thing for our family to do. I’ve seen everyone becoming closer, more aware of each other’s needs, and more considerate of others too.
We also like to do things like on someone’s birthday we wait on them. They get to decide the meals for the day. They choose the dessert for the day.
On holidays we try to take turns deciding things so everyone gets a pick. Plus we do coupon books as gifts. Sometimes special baked gifts get passed out. Whatever we do we try to make it fun. We try to use things we already have around the house. We try to be as thoughtful & considerate of each other as we can be. A huge plus is the amount of love the kids show each other all the time.
What a near idea!
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing!
Would love to win your free book!
Love to go the homemade route. Special memories are made with the personal touch. I do this for my husband of 25 years. Our Anniversary is Aug 14. So every 6 months we get to celebrate.
Thanks so much to everyone for commenting! I loved reading all of your comments. You all are so creative! I emailed each one of you with your link to the free book because it’s Valentine’s Day and everyone should get something! 🙂 Let me know if you didn’t get it.
Thanks, Jennifer! I received a copy through your newsletter.
Great ideas, love the jar and the card, thanks so much