The Magazine of The Sierra Club
Store aisles have been decked out in pink and red hearts since just after New Year’s, but the Valentine’s Day spirit is only just now beginning to permeate the air. Whether you’re giving treats to a significant other, friends, or family, we know that figuring out the right gifts can be hard. On any holiday, it’s the gifts from the heart that are really special, so we’ve scoured the web to find the best DIY and upcycled crafts to show everyone in your life what they mean to you. So break out your creative mind, some chocolates (hey, it fuels the creativity), and get crafting!
1. Photo banner
This banner can be as simple as a few photos cut into heart shapes or any combination of paper and doilies you have lying around. Using photos allows you to personalize this gift for anyone. Lauren Kaczmarski, the woman behind the lifestyle blog Letters from Lala, crafted the adorable Valentine's Day banner pictured above featuring photos, heart doilies, and a favorite quote.
2. String wall art
String art projects have gone viral on Pinterest and the only tool you need to know how to use is a hammer. Janny of crafting blog Que Linda picked up this idea after seeing it all over the blogosphere and created an easy-to-follow guide to make "love" string wall art. This is the perfect idea if you have any spare or broken wood lying around waiting to be used.
3. Heart molding
For another wood-based craft, Michelle of Delicate Construction used scrap molding from her garage to create this beautiful heart-shaped decor. Although it may require some more specialized tools and a good chunk of time, it's the perfect addition to a mantle or wall, and you're sure to impress everyone with your handiwork.
4. Flatware jewelry
This exquisite project from Instructables is perfect for any broken, old, or misshapen forks you may have. Again, there are some special tools required, but if you don't have them in your house a nearby jewelry or crafting studio should have them. Your old flatware will hardly be recognized in the final product.
5. Vintage votives
Been hoping to upcycle some of your old glass jars? This is the perfect way! Sarah from the blog Annaboo's House shows just how easy it is to update glass jars with some vintage lace, which can easily be found in your closet or at a thrift shop. These elegant votives are a great gift for the candle lovers in your life who could use an elegant decor upgrade.
6. Valentine's advent banner
Advent doesn't just have to mean winter holidays anymore. Now you can surprise someone by telling them all the reasons you love them with this advent banner project from the blog Shaken Together Life. All you need are some small paper bags, envelopes, or similar products, and you can decorate with markers or scrap paper. This idea is perfect for anyone who deserves a little love.
7. Matchbox Valentines
Round up all the matchboxes and other little boxes that have settled around your house for this project. Brooke, from the blog inchmark, created these tiny treats with simple paper decorations and hidden surprises. These cute Valentines are perfect to bring into school or the office and pass out to everyone.
8. Reclaimed wood sign
If you still have leftover wood after projects 2 and 3, we invite you to try out this great Valentine's sign. DIY blog 30 Handmade Days tackled this craft and has step-by-step instructions to help you out. If you don't have the specific tools available to you, you can skip cutting out the heart and simply paint it on instead. Another great addition to brighten up someone's home!
9. Memory box
A memory box is a timeless gift that will only grow more special with the years. Cat from Take Courage Blog offers a fun twist on this with her "80 years in a box" craft. You can use a shoebox as the starting point for your box, decorate it however you'd like (we like Cat's idea of reusing old maps), and then start adding little memories to it. This is perfect for someone you hope will stick around for a while, whether that's a sibling or partner, and you'll both love putting in more memories as the years go on.
Jessica Zischke is an editorial intern at Sierra. She is currently studying environmental studies at Dartmouth College, where she also works as a staff writer for The Dartmouth newspaper.
READ MORE:
Green Your Valentine's Day: Rethink Romantic Gifts