By ALEXIA ROCKEY

Valentine’s Day, otherwise known as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It is the celebration of love and affection for loved ones, significant others, and close friends. On this day every year, greetings, gifts, candies, and flowers are exchanged between millions of people across the United States. However, if you’re on a budget this year and you want to create something special for someone, I have a few ideas to share with you that take little time and effort. These gifts are more meaningful to others because they will know that you put your “heart” into them.

A Jar of Reasons Why You Love Them

For this project, you will need: a small mason jar, ribbons, one black button, red felt hearts, twine, small pieces of paper, and any other decorative items you can place on your jar. To create this gift, you need to wrap your mason jar with a lot of twine with the black button placed in the middle of the twine. The button keeps a heart-shaped felt piece in place, while the jar itself houses the little pieces of paper. The pieces of paper are meant to be written on with reasons why you love the person, and then they are put into the jar. The little messages will bring a smile to your special one’s face because you are expressing your true feelings for them, and they will appreciate the affection.

The Gift Basket of Love

For this project, you will need: your choice of a basket to hold the goodies, candy bars, and a red strand of ribbon to tie around your basket. If you don’t want to use candy bars in your basket, then you can use anything that your recipient will enjoy, such as fuzzy socks or a candle. This gift basket is affordable and easy to make for that special someone. The work you put in to create a gift basket will be much appreciated.

Homemade Heart-Shaped Chocolate Brownies

For this project, you will need: one box of brownie mix of your choice, water, vegetable oil, one heart-shaped cookie cutter, platter, cocoa powder or powdered sugar (optional), and two eggs. The prep time will be about 20 minutes, which would be a total of 2 hours and 50 minutes from prep time till the time the your brownies are finished. Once your brownies are finished baking, you will need to take your heart-shaped cookie cutter and cut into the brownies. As they are cooling, place the brownies on a beautiful serving platter for your special someone. If you would like to “spice” up your brownies, you can sprinkle cocoa powder or powdered sugar on the brownies for a sweet surprise on top.

Photo Frame of Close Memories

For this project, you will need: a photo frame, utensils for decoration, and a photo of yourself with a special someone. In order to decorate your photo frame, you can go as far as painting the frame or writing words to warm that person’s heart. I would suggest something unique as song lyrics, poetry, or a hand-written message to remind your recipient of the life you share together. This gift is not only a beautiful piece of decor, but a piece of your heart for another person.

Candy Bar Poster

For this project, you will need: one poster board of your choice, candy bars to go with your message, adhesive, and a writing utensil (pen or marker). You will need to bring out a lot of creativity for this one, considering that you will have to write a message for your recipient with the names of the candy bars. For example, a message that you could write for someone is this: “I love you to the ‘Milky Way’ and back!” This gift is perfect for men and women of all ages who have a sweet tooth. After your special someone reads your message, prepare to indulge in a sweet treat from your poster.