With Valentine’s Day coming up, it’s time to start thinking about creative gift ideas for your significant other! I’m not really into giving or receiving big gifts on this holiday, but the one thing that I think can speak volumes is a handmade card. Unlike chocolate or flowers, which both have an expiration date of sorts, a card can literally be forever if it is found to be meaningful or unique enough.
These days, we live in a society where people want to do things quickly and without putting in much effort. When it comes to holidays, people send out store-bought cards to their loved ones with the hopes that the artificial, pre-written words will speak for themselves. In actuality, this says nothing about that individual’s true feelings. It’s very easy to see how much someone cares about you when they actually take the time to design a card that speaks for them. It is almost literally like seeing their heart right out on their sleeve.
Surprisingly, making cards isn’t as big of a hassle as people think. Blank cards are easy to find at almost any location (craft store or not) and if you don’t feel like buying those, folding paper in half if just as easy. All you really need is a couple pieces of colored paper (red, pink, and white for Valentine’s Day!) and perhaps a piece of ribbon or a button (something cool and random to add a little something extra) to go along with your blank card and you have a canvas all your own. What I usually try to do is cut or rip out random shapes or patters and layer the different colors in such a way that the card actually does look professionally done. This type of card-making technique is very similar to scrapbooking. If you want to get really creative as well, cards can look really great if you do a bit of simple stitching. For Valentine’s Day in particular, pasting a couple of those heart-shaped candies on your card also adds the perfect touch! You can also make your card using collage materials and decoupage.
With this much heart on the outside of the card, the inside doesn’t necessarily have to be some extravagant message. It can read just a simple “I love you” or “Happy Valentine’s Day” and your significant will truly appreciate your hand-made card.
Simple, easy, creative, and fun. Perfect for any holiday, not just Valentine’s Day!
