Frugal Crafts & Gifts
(featured column by various authors)

A Box of Love for Valentine's Day

by Michelle Jones

Tell your sweetheart just how much you love them; not with expensive diamonds or electronics, but with something no amount of money could buy… your love!  This also makes a wonderful gift for children, they need to know how much we love them too!  More...

I shared this holiday gift idea a few years back and am still collecting checkbook boxes throughout the year.  It would be great to start this project a month before Valentine's Day but anytime will be fine.  (If you have less time to write your 'love notes' just spend at least a good day or two working on them.)

Start by selecting a large piece of nice stationary or construction paper and cutting it into 30 small strips. Then spend the next few weeks (or days--if you're running behind) thinking about meaningful and thoughtful ways to tell your sweetheart just how much you love them. The more time you take to make this gift, the more thoughtful your writing will be, so get started today!

When you're done, fold each piece of paper in half (so that when they are opened on the big day each one will be like a new gift) and look for a nice container to put them in.  If you can afford a small ornamental box that would be wonderful, there are many beautiful boxes that come in every shape and size. It's possible you may even have a small forgotten box put away somewhere, and now might be just the right time to pass it on to someone you love.  

You can even wrap your love notes in pretty gift-wrap or tissue and place them inside a box of chocolates if this is something you're planning to give already. What a nice surprise your sweetheart will have when he or she opens the box to find the extra love you have placed inside.

If you'd prefer to make your own box, you can use empty tissue boxes, checkbook boxes, or even empty heart candy boxes from last year. When using tissue or checkbook boxes, cover them with wrapping paper, construction paper, or spray paint them with gold metallic paint and add your own designs. Cut-out heart shapes of construction paper or red foil wrapping paper would be nice, and sequins or glitter would also be very nice.

Be creative and spend some time making the box pretty.  The outside of the package represents the gift inside, and the inside of this gift is filled with pure gold that no amount of money could buy.

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Copyright © 2001-2005 by Michelle Jones.  All rights reserved.