Today is February 4st and what can I say? I’m already in the Valentine’s Day spirit.
Growing up, Valentine’s Day was a pretty big deal at our house. After my brother and I went to bed the night before, my mom would decorate the dining room with paper hearts and streamers, and we’d always get a little gift at breakfast. Nothing expensive or extravagant, but just something to make us feel special all day long. I remember one year getting these little pajamas covered with tiny red hearts. There were always a couple chocolates scattered on the table and cards to open from my parents and grandparents. Mom would make waffles or French toast with strawberry sauce. Maybe it sounds cheesy, but our little yearly celebrations left a lasting impression on me and it’s a tradition that I want to keep going with my kids someday.
So here’s a little list of twenty five ideas for the Valentine in your life, whether its your mom, grandma, wife, sister, best friend, aunt or child. Enjoy!
1. This undeniably sweet “Mr and Mrs” gift set. Included in the set are two “Mr and Mrs” coffee mugs, little love notes and sweet, fun coupons to fill out for your hunny. I am totally getting this next year when I’m an official “Mrs”! Oh, and right now there’s a sale going on so shop away!
2. Little puppets from Land of Nod. In particular, the “Mr and Mrs Kitty”. Would love so cute on a Valentine’s Day table to surprise your little one.
3. Chalkboard coffee mugs to decorate together.
4. One Thousand Gifts. Such a sweet, sweet book and the perfect gift any time.
5. A gift certificate for a pedicure.
6. These cute DIY letter blocks! Adorable idea.
7. The Stella & Dot Tribute Bracelet. Love the rose gold! Such a pretty, delicate piece and for a good cause {breast cancer awareness}.
8. A PUPPY!!! {adam, are you reading this?} heh
9. A custom photo mug! Love these…especially for grandparents!
10. A custom iphone case – along the same lines as the mug, and super cute. Maybe if I had one of these, my iphone wouldn’t be shattered right now. Womp Womp.
11. A surprise picnic dinner! Pack up everything you need then go watch the sunset. Bring the kids or hire a babysitter. Don’t forget the wine!
12. Heart shaped cookie cutters. These always come in handy.
13. A pair of cozy pink socks. Target has some cute ones right now! Or…knit your own.
14. A baggie full of her favorite candy! Mine would be filled with sour patch kids, haribo gummies, jolly ranchers and caramel apple lollipops 🙂
15. A framed photo of the two of you.
16. Can’t go wrong with roses…any day of the year!
17. Harry & David signature chocolate truffles. Yes, please.
18. A new journal. Right now over at DaySpring, you can buy two and get one free! Done and done.
19. A batch of homemade brownies for the chocoholic in your life {hand raises high}
20. A FashionABLE scarf! Your purchase helps women escape prostitution and the sex trade in Africa.
21. A Lisa Leonard necklace. I love this “Inspired” one.
22. A handwritten love letter.
23. A romantic homemade dinner with candles.
24. Homemade body scrub. Love this coffee and lavender sugar scrub from Joy the Baker!
25. A homemade recipe book. Print out or write favorite recipes then bind together in a three ring binder.
Emily @ Life on Food
February 4, 2013 at 3:23 amI enjoy Valentine’s Day. For me it is all about homemade gifts.
Danielle
February 4, 2013 at 3:26 amLove these ideas. My mom always made a big deal about Valentine’s Day, too. She even secretly packed chocolate in my suitcase so I’d have something from her while I spend February 14th in Paris. Wishing you lots of love! Not that you need it 🙂
Tiffany @dynamics of happy
February 4, 2013 at 3:29 amTHAT’S SO CUTE of your mom!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
February 4, 2013 at 3:41 amGreat ideas, Jenna. Especially things like #25 the 3-ring binder and the homemade brownies. Or just some heart-shaped cookie cutters. It’s the simple things I appreciate the most!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
February 4, 2013 at 4:29 amThese are all such fun ideas Jenna! I gave my mum One Thousand Gifts for Christmas – what an amazing book. I’d be happy to receive or give any of these gifts for Valentines day… especially anything involving Haribo gummies!
Anne
February 4, 2013 at 5:03 amI love love love this post! I still get sad to this day to think that my mom wouldn’t send me a goodie bag on Valentines Day!
I bought my supplies for what Ill be gifting his weekend and got so excited, I can’t wait!
Molly @ RDexposed
February 4, 2013 at 5:26 amOh right, Valentine’s Day is coming up. It’s a day of love and “count your blessings” day for me. Fun ideas!
Janice
February 5, 2013 at 12:13 pmHere is a fun one I found on Martha for the kids.
Grow a pet TickleMe Plant and watch how the leaves fold and the branches fall down when you Tickle it or blow it a KISS! This is real and my kids love the TickleMe Plant.
See video http://www.ticklemeplant.com
Hillary
February 4, 2013 at 5:52 amI <3 your v.day cards — so sweet… and perfect to hang on the fridge 🙂
Amy Walters, aDESIGNdock
February 4, 2013 at 6:21 amBeautiful list.
I especially love the Handwritten Love Letters. Over the weekend, I got my hands on photocopies of love letters from my late Grandfather to my Grandmother. It was so sweet and precious to read through them. It just confirmed that I was definitely born in the wrong era ; )
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots
February 4, 2013 at 6:34 amI love this, thanks for sharing! I think I will make that scrub for my mom!
joelle (on a pink typewriter)
February 4, 2013 at 6:38 amI’ve never been the biggest fan of Valentine’s Days, although I had a few sweet ones worth remembering. 🙂 One of my fav V-days, though, was not even significant other related, when I was teaching in a second grade. Kids LOVE this holiday!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
February 4, 2013 at 7:02 amCute ideas! I’ll take the chocolate truffles please. 🙂
Andrea
February 4, 2013 at 7:07 amThe FashionABLE scarfs are beautiful! I had never heard of that company before. How great!
erin
February 4, 2013 at 7:08 ammy mom and dad always did fun things like that too. my dad traveled a lot, but always made sure to leave tiny heart-shaped boxes of chocolate signed with an “i love you” at the kitchen table. mom would make heart-shaped toast or pancakes for breakfast. these ideas are all so cute! my Mister Man will be traveling on valentine’s day this year, but we will get some time on the weekend together!
Anna @ On Anna's Plate
February 4, 2013 at 7:12 amMy husband, who is impossible to shop for anyway, is so hard to shop for on Valentine’s day!! I always feel like I should get him a present because (duh) he’s my husband, but seriously– Valentine’s Day is kind of a girly holiday!! 🙂
De @ Cooking for the Other Half
February 4, 2013 at 7:21 amTotally love these ideas! #8 sounds exactly like me…I’ve been dropping hints about getting a puppy for months!
Malkire
February 4, 2013 at 7:24 amThis post is so sweet. I also stumbled across this from Etsy and thought it was super unique. I’d love to have a ring with my husband’s handwriting of “love” on it: http://www.etsy.com/listing/89665539/memorial-jewelry-your-actual-loved-ones
Sarah (Shh...Fit Happens)
February 4, 2013 at 7:33 amSuch cute ideas! Gotta say I am not a very crafty or artsy person, but I just spent a half an hour looking at these DIY blogs….might have to give something a try!
Mel
February 4, 2013 at 7:33 amI also love this! I think Valentines Day is a wondeful holiday (Somewhat ironic considering I’m a 20-something single. i.e. Of the generation that tends to bitterly hate on the holiday). I’m a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco and I was JUST thinking about planning a Valentines Day party for the kids I work with! Valentines Day celebrates love of all kinds, and I can’t wait to share that with them.
Alyson
February 4, 2013 at 7:46 amFantastic post. Thank you!
Sarah @ Yogi in Action
February 4, 2013 at 8:26 amI love all of these ideas! I’m not a big Valentine’s Day person, but I do like that your mom made it such a special day for your entire family.
I will definitely be doing at least a couple of these
Dan
February 4, 2013 at 8:32 amLove all these ideas! Recently stumbled over these very reasonably priced blood pool pillows today also! So Fun!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/121525760/blood-pool-pillow?ref=v1_other_2
deva by definition
February 4, 2013 at 8:44 amI love Valentine’s Day, but it’s a holiday that The Boy and I struggle to celebrate (my birthday is the 20th). This year, we are going to be celebrating the best we can, since Valentine’s day is 100 days to our wedding in May, and we thought it would be fun to go into the double-digits day-wise with a bang (or a heart-shaped pizza).
Caroline L.
February 4, 2013 at 8:55 amI think of Valentine’s Day as a frillier version of Thanksgiving… and sweeter too! Can’t wait to see what you two lovebirds end up doing! 🙂
Lauren @ Sassy Molassy
February 4, 2013 at 8:55 amSeveral cute ideas, Jenna. I love Valentine’s Day too. Most years I stop into Target just to walk around their Valentine section even if I don’t intend on buying anything. Just seeing the red and pink and all those hearts makes me happy. 🙂
Bridget
February 4, 2013 at 8:55 amSuch a cute idea! Though, is it bad that I would want to gift myself with that recipe book? lol
Corrie Anne
February 4, 2013 at 10:20 amA puppy would definitely be the best Valentine’s gift EVER!!!
Kari@Loaves n Dishes
February 4, 2013 at 3:21 pmJenna I love your list. Super cute ideas. My husband and I used to go to the paint your own pottery place, so I know that he would love the chalk board mugs.
Kelsey
February 4, 2013 at 3:35 pmI have always loved valentines day. My Mom got us a little gift and my Dad always bought his 3 girls (mom, sister, and me) flowers. Looking back, I think what I love most was that it taught me that the day (and life in general, really), is about celebrating love of all kinds, not just romantic love (shout out to all my single ladies haha!).
Crista
February 4, 2013 at 4:20 pmLove these ideas! So cute! Now what do I get him??
Aislinn
February 4, 2013 at 6:06 pmLove this, Jenna. Thanks! A bag of sour patch kids would totally make my day! Unfortunately we can’t get anything even close to resembling them in South Asia. I’ll probably have to settle for chocolate. 😉
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl
February 4, 2013 at 7:15 pmWhat great ideas, especially numbers 8 and 19!! 😉
Jenney
February 4, 2013 at 7:17 pmCute ideas, but are you sending those cards out for Valentine’s Day? Seems like a bit much. Hopefully you’ll know better than to send those to your single friends.
Liz
February 4, 2013 at 7:54 pmValentine’s Day was always celebrated like that at my house, too! My mom & I actually still exchange little gifts 🙂
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy
February 5, 2013 at 5:22 amI’ve always liked Valentine’s Day too. My parents made it a fun holiday every year, and I want to keep up the tradition now that I’m married!
Ashby at Ross Bridge Apartments - Hoover, AL - Great gift ideas for Valentine’s Day!
February 5, 2013 at 7:01 am[…] Day is only 9 days away! Click here for some awesome gift […]
Laura
February 5, 2013 at 10:09 amGreat ideas! I love the Stella & Dot tribute bracelet, and I ask for a puppy for every holiday…and I’m still puppy-less. sigh.. lol
Kelly
February 5, 2013 at 2:28 pmGreat ideas. I need to find a way to leave this post open on my husband’s computer. Ha!
Erica
February 5, 2013 at 9:44 pmI LOVE your Valentine’s cards! Where are they from?
Mikey
February 6, 2013 at 4:02 amGreat post and I love your ideas. I’m so excited about Valentine’s Day this year….I can hardly wait!
Jennifer
February 6, 2013 at 5:13 amI love love love VDay! I hope you have a wonderful one as well.
Kelly
February 6, 2013 at 7:39 amYou just made my day!!! Thank you!
Allison @ Life's a Bowl
February 6, 2013 at 8:10 amAwesome inspiration! I always have loved the homemade route more than the purchased goods [although I’ll never turn down chocolate]- it’s fun seeing what your other half can come up with 😛
Jessica
February 6, 2013 at 9:08 amWhat great ideas, thanks for sharing them Jenna! Check out some Valentine’s Day gifts kids can make here: http://www.care.com/child-care-6-valentines-day-gifts-kids-can-make-p1017-q24337714.html
Emily
February 6, 2013 at 8:27 pmThese are great ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Top 5 –
February 7, 2013 at 10:33 pm[…] 4. Valentine’s Day. I’ve never really gotten into this holiday but I do think it’s a fun time to tell those around you that you love them. I enjoyed Eat Live Run’s post about 25 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas. Click here for the complete list. […]
Designer Jewelry
February 7, 2013 at 11:45 pmIf you’re looking for a gift for your Valentine, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered up all our top picks for Valentine’s Day 2013, from men and women’s watches and fragrances, to jewelry, chocolates, clothing and more. So whatever age you’re shopping for, we’ve got Valentine’s ideas you’ll love. Have a look around and find something special for your Valentine.
Saturday Small Talk « Balance and Blueberries
February 9, 2013 at 6:58 am[…] a bit of a bummer, so we might be acknowledging this holiday (non-holiday?) later. Here are 25 gift ideas, a mix of purchasable and home made! Share this:Like this:LikeBe the first to like […]
janetha
February 10, 2013 at 8:41 pmwow, you linked to my sister’s site–that was so random! i was reading this post because teri linked to it, then clicked on the letter block link above, and BAM.. stories by me. small world 🙂
Melissa
February 14, 2013 at 8:40 amSorry to be a downer, but puppies make terrible gifts. Countless gifted pets are dumped in shelters every year. Getting a pet should be taken as seriously as having children, as you are going to be caring for it for 10+ years and they will be dependent on you completely. And if you are going to get a pet, don’t shop, adopt! Millions of animals are euthanized in shelters every year while people go out and buy purebred puppies from breeders and, even worse, pet stores (who get their dogs from puppy mills, cruel breeding facilities where animals are confined in cages for their entire lives, not given adequate medical care, and often shot when their breeding days are over). Even if you have your heart set on a certain breed, every breed of dog can be found in a shelter, and from breed-specific rescue groups. I have two poodles, one from a shelter and one rescued from a puppy mill. Of course there are many who thinks mutts make the best pets anyway 🙂
In a nutshell, high vis printing at a great price. | Tess Gerritsen
July 2, 2013 at 10:37 am[…] a new gift to provide which enable it to be given in different designs too to produce that personal internet touch. There are a great deal of gifts that can be provided with to clients and with somewhat […]
Arvino
January 13, 2020 at 2:17 amThis is such a huge list! Lisa Leonard necklace is such a great option and also you can check arvino.in, they have really a great jewellery collection!
Jewelpin
January 22, 2020 at 3:20 amThis is such a great list! In my opinion jewelry is the best gift idea for your beloved one!