5 DIY VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS THAT ANY GIRL CAN PULL OFF

Your first big love fest is looming, the pressure is on to make an impression… or perhaps you've been together for years and expectations run low!

The idea of dinner in a crowded restaurant, again, is like having a cold shower and "surprising" each other with a box of chocolates is just not going to cut it this Valentine's Day.  But we can fix that in five easy ideas! Stop scouring the Interweb for fresh ideas on how to woo your girl, the search is over. Transform this Valentine's Day into something more intimate, that really does come from your heart. Check out these 5 DIY Valentine's Day ideas that any girl can pull off.


1. LOVE-STRUCK HUNT

When you need some time to plan the rest of the date!

Altered matchboxes are small favors or gift boxes that can be decorated in any style or theme — including Valentine’s Day!

Some crafters decorate real, empty matchboxes, but if you don’t have any of those handy you can create the little boxes from scratch using one of the free PDF Matchbox Templates available here. The small paper boxes can be decorated with patterned papers, ribbon, and other small embellishments, and filled with a Valentine’s Day message or a small gift.

You’ll need:

•    Matchbox template (Download the traditional or envelope-style template here)
•    Thick card stock and/or light cardboard, like a cereal box
•    Pencil
•    Scissors and/or craft knife
•    Bone folder or other scoring instrument
•    Ruler
•    Glue
•    Decorative papers and other embellishments for decorating your Valentine box

How to make it:
1.    Print out the matchbox template here.
2.    Follow the instructions on how to create matchbox.
3.    Decorate with ribbons, papers, shiny, glittery things.
4.    Fill with messages of your own, little gifts like necklaces or earrings, paper hearts or whatever will be a surprise.

How to use this idea: Design your own love box treasure hunt. Map out a route for her to follow, leave 1 matchbox and 1 clue to the next matchbox location. This will keep her busy all Saturday… more than enough time for you to plan the romance she's expecting later!

See more DIY ideas here.

2. CAPTURE HER HEART

When you're trying to win her (love) (back) (heart)

This is perfect for anyone you love – Tatertots & Jello show you how to make this “you have captured my heart” gift idea — & free printables for you!

You’ll need:
•    A mini Mason jar
•    The free printables (go to the link included below to  print)
•    Ribbon,
•    Pink paper (white will do if you don’t have pink)
•    A sparkly mini heart from the craft store or her fave heart-shaped chocs
•    Fishing line

How to make it:
1.    Print the free printables (below) and cut them out. You may want to use a hole punch in the tag. They’re one per page, so print as many as you need.
2.    Get about a four-inch length of fishing line, and affix one end to the glittery heart so that it will hang straight. The one I bought has a small space inbetween the front and back, so I just tied it on with a knot.
3.    Then, cut a small circle slightly larger than the printable “you have captured my heart” jar top. Punch two holes near the middle so it looks like a big button. You’re going to tuck this circle inside the lid, so adjust your fishing line length to make the heart hang in the middle of the jar.
4.    Don’t glue the paper piece in the lid – while it should fit snugly, you’ll want to be able to turn it to the left or right to make your heart hang straight.
5.    Then, just tie a ribbon around the top of the jar, attaching the tag.
6.    Glue the jar topper on …
7.    and you’re done!

How to use this idea: Great as a gift on the day but use it all throughout the year and turn it into a kissing jar, just add chocolate kisses to use anytime OR as a date night jar. Find more ideas from Tatertots & Jello

3. STACK HER LOVE DECK

Rekindle your love daily and keep the passion alive

Before you start, you need to make a list of 52 things that you love about whoever you are giving this to. Things such as "Your smile!" or "Your eyes!" If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, there are plenty of helpful sites out there to get you rolling. Here are a couple you can use or adjust the messages to suit your how you feel:

365 Things I Love About You, By: ~Hazel-Almonds.   100 Reasons Why I Love You, By Sandy

Once you have your 52 things figured out. We can get started. First things first, you need the template to write your messages on. Download the card template from Instructables.com click here

You'll need:
•    1 Deck of Playing Cards
•    Glue
 •    Template for the cards, you make on your own or this already made one included in this Instructable.
•    Scissors
•    Hole Punch
•    Binder Rings or Ribbon

How to make it:
1.    Open up the template from Instructables.com, click here,
2.    Write your messages onto each box by adding text and print it out.
3.    take some scissors and cut out each square, keeping them in order.
4.    Take your deck of cards, including the joker card and use the hole punch to punch one to two holes on one edge of each card.
5.    Take the joker card and on the back of it, glue down the "52 Things I Love About You" square onto it.
6.    On the front or face side, glue on the "I Love..." square.
7.    Now you have your cover card made.
8.    Continue gluing down the squares on the face side of each card, one per card until they are all finished.
9.    You may have to place the cards under some heavy books to get them to dry flush against the card.
10.    After they are finished, take your binder ring (or use some pretty red ribbon) and tie or slide them together.
11.    Flatter your loved one by presenting them with this little modified deck of cards

How to use this idea: Leave this in a place that she visits regularly like the table she leaves her keys and phone on or next to her side of the bed. 

4.  A (LOVE) WALK IN THE PARK

Strengthen your  roots with your family

When there's more love to share then this idea is really fabulous for including the kiddies in your Valentine's celebration.

Pack an easy sandwich picnic, some bottled drinks (adult beverages for you and the wife) and head off to the park where the children can play and you can get a little alone time.

Before you settle down in your spot, ask her to sort the children out while you prepare your love lunch. When she isn't looking, whip out these paper heart skewers and sink them into the ground in a heart-shape around your picnic.

You'll Need:
•    Red paper
•    A stapler
•    A heart template
•    Skewers, wide bamboo ones, or small round ones, found with the barbeque supplies

How To:
1.    Make a template for the heart size that's right for you,
2.    Fold your red paper several times so that you can cut at least four hearts at one time.
3.    Trace around your template onto your folded paper, and cut around the line.
4.    Staple two hearts together leaving a space for stuffing and the skewer at the bottom.
5.    Attach the skewer with hot glue,
6.    Make bouquets to plant into the ground!

5. VALENTINE MOVIE NIGHT IN A BOX
For the laid-back lovers

Nothing better than staying in, under the covers, on the couch, with your favourite girl in the world and a box full of exciting goodies… make your own Valentine's Day movie in a box.

Put together a date-night-in-a-box with your valentine's favorite movie, two small bottles of champagne, and her favorite chocs or popcorn for the two of you to enjoy. It's the perfect big night in! Bonus: Include marshmallows and roasting twigs for an evening by the fire.

You'll Need:
•    A box
•    2 Mini bottles of champagne, and straws
•    Popcorn for two
•    Marshmallows and some twigs that you can roast over the braai later

More great ideas like this at BHG click here.

Just 14 days to go! Plenty of time to blow her away with your skills. Good luck, and share how it turned out with us. Post your Valentine's Day pics to our Facebook wall or Twitter feed with this tag #MambaGirlV-Day