It’s that time of year again – Valentine’s Day! When, for two months, the seasonal aisle of every drugstore explodes with pink balloons and heart-shaped chocolate boxes can be found in all sizes. Whether you have been dating your significant other for a couple of months or married for years, Valentine’s Day gifts can be tricky. In February, everyone is still recovering from the Christmas gift-buying whirlwind (I know I am), so this is a great holiday to exchange ‘thoughtful’ gifts (and no, that doesn’t mean buying the largest heart-shaped box of chocolates on February 13th…). Although this idea is fun and practical, it can be overwhelming when February hits and you have no idea what to give or make. Lucky for you, I made the mistake of telling my coworkers about this blog of mine, and was immediately bombarded with requests for gift ideas. A few of them insisted that I help them create DIY Valentine’s Day gifts, so I figured I would share my ideas with the rest of you, too!

Those of you who know me are well aware that I am seldom without my Crammera (get it?), so it should come as no surprise that I was set on creating gifts with a photo element. Follow the how-to steps below to create thoughtful and functional DIY gifts that can accent any home and make great gifts for any occasion!

WINE CORK BOARD

A wine cork board can be the perfect addition to any room, whether it’s the kitchen, living room, or his random room in the house that you try to avoid. And hey, if he doesn’t like it, keep it yourself (or call me, my mom really wants one…). To make the board, use wine corks that you’ve been collecting, or drink up! Just kidding – you can find wine corks at any craft store, and it will still have the same rustic look. Decorate the board with anything you want – pictures, memorabilia from your last trip together, an initial – get creative! If your boyfriend or husband collects bottle caps, glue them around the frame to create the ultimate bar décor.

RIBBON BOARD

Guys, if you’ve made it this far, you are probably extremely desperate and need an idea ASAP. A ribbon board is a great gift that can fit the décor of any home, AND you get to use power tools… does a staple gun count? Before buying your materials, try to get a sense of your girlfriend or wife’s style (you should take this time to find out her favorite color, if you haven’t already). Neutral tones are always a safe bet, but feel free to add some flare with the ribbon or buttons. I guarantee that she will be more than impressed with the board alone, but put a few of your favorite pictures on there as well to really seal the deal!