A celebration of love and friendship, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to get crafty and have some fun with your little ones. From Scented Lavender Bags to Heart Shaped Cookies, we have selected our favourite DIY gifts that add that extra special touch to Valentine’s Day.
Scented Lavender Bags
A beautifully scented valentine’s day present, delightfully handmade, sweet-smelling lavender bags, which can be put in your sock draw.
What you will need:
- Dried lavender
- Rice
- Fabric of your choice, but make sure it’s breathable
- Ribbon
- Scissors
How to make:
1. First you need to prepare your filling. In a bowl mix two parts lavender to one part rice.
2. Next prepare you squares of fabric and ribbon, simply cut the fabric into evenly shaped squares and enough ribbon to warp around and do a bow.
3. Next lay the squares of fabric flat and place a palm full of the filling into the middle, then gather all four corners and tie the ribbon around to secure.
4. You can then add a few stiches in the ribbon to make sure it is secure.
5. Lastly, put your lavender bags in your sock draw or wherever you would like for a more refreshing scent when you open it up in the morning.
Heart Shaped Cookies
Create the most beautiful heart shaped cookies for your loved ones this Friday.
Ingredients for the cookies
- 370g of plain flour
- 1 tsp. backing power
- ½ tsp. salt
- 195 grams of soft butter
- 195g caster sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp. milk
Ingredients for the butter cream
- 220g butter cream
- 105g soft butter
- 495g icing sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Pink and red food colouring
- Lots of sprinkles
How to make
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt. In another bowl using a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar. Add the egg, milk and the vanilla and whisk until all combined. Then add flour mixture gradually until all is totally combined.
2. Then shape into balls and wrap in cling film. Refrigerate for an hour.
3. When they are ready to roll, make sure to pre-heat the oven to 180*C and line two baking sheets. Lightly flower a clean work surface and roll out the dough. Using a heart shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies and transfer to the prepared baking sheets.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 mins.
5. Making the butter cream: in another large bowl beat the butter cream and butter together until smooth. Add in the icing sugar, vanilla, salt and beat until combined.
6. Divide into three separate bowls and use the food colouring to create three different colours. Frost the cookies using a soon and then top off with sprinkles.
Writing Meaningful Letters for your Love Ones
Why not create some meaningful appreciation letters reminding friends and family members how much you love them. Follow the steps below for your handmade love letter…
What you will need to make a Fingerprint Heart Tree Card
- 1 sheet of white paper
- ink pads in pink and red
- black marker
- scissors and a pencil
How to make
1. Firstly, fold you white sheet of paper in half to create a folded card, draw your heart on the front sheet of paper with you pencil.
2. Next, with your black marker draw a tree within the heart shape
3. Now it’s time to get messy with your figures. Damp you figures in the ink pads and stamp them all over the heart shape, to create the most beautiful heart shaped pink and red tree.
4. To finish, why not cut up some pink and red hearts and put them into the middle of your card for some extra love this valentine’s day.
Valentine’s Day Mason Jar
Making it really personal, why not decorate a small glass jar and put your loved one’s favourite snacks and personalised messages in it!
What you will need
- All you need is an empty jam jar
- Sweets and treats
- Pink and Red Paper
- Note paper and pen
- Scissors
How to make
1. Take your pink and red paper and cut out small hearts and place in the empty jam jar.
2. Then add it some heart felt messages telling your loved one how much they mean to you.
3. Next, add in their favourite sweets and treats!!
Hope you have fun making these beautiful creations.