Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, some of us recoil at the sight of cheezy heart shaped boxes, cheap teddies, and waxy chocolate- but still long to make an impression on someone special (or to treat our friends) on this silly made up holiday! Here are some DIY ideas for alternative takes on traditional Valentines offerings, express yourself and your fierce style. 🙂

1. Broken Heart Cookies– For the Valentine with a sweet tooth! This one is super easy and can be customized to any sort of cutt-out-able cookie recipe you prefer. All you’ll need are cookie ingredients (heck, you can even buy premade dough) and a heart shaped cookie cutter, and icing! Cut hearts from the dough and then take a butterknife and cut a jagged broken line down the middle of each cookie and carefully separate the halves before baking. Decorate with red icing (or black!)! Present them in a coffin shaped cardboard box lined with tissue and waxed paper.

2. Bloody Valentines- These are great for customizing for your friends and coworkers, as well as lovers. You’ll need craft paper, red poster paint, glue, doilies, markers, and whatever decorations (like glitter!) you like. Start by cutting paper hearts and then place your palm in some of the red paint, drag it across the cards like splattered blood. Finish with decorations and personalized messages. Cheap AND unsettling!

3. Romantic Poetic Valentine- Roses are red, violets are blue- okay maybe not. This is the perfect time of year to bust out your Baudelaire and present your Poe and all of those mournful, sappy, Gothic poets and writers, or even deep song lyrics. A beautifully hand written piece on tea-stained paper presented with a single rose is poignant and deeply personal.

4. Paper Valentine Award Rosettes- Gift your loved ones with personalized award rosettes! These make great finishing touches to carefully wrapped presents also. You’ll need a few patterned cupcake liners (got any Halloween ones left?), paper glue, a bit of ribbon or colored paper. Make yours in rich reds and blacks, or whatever striking colors you prefer. Personalize with bats at the center or skulls!

5. Origami Flower Bouquet- Origami is a traditional craft of folding paper into ornate shapes originating from Japan. A cluster of hand folded flowers in interesting dark papers or stunning colors is sure to impress. With a little practice and patience you can easily make pretty paper flowers. The website attached to the photo above has some great flower tutorials and you can also find video versions on youtube! All you’ll need is paper.

Hopefully some of these ideas help inspire you to get creative for your Valentine! If not there’s always lots of gross waxy chocolate out there still. 😉

-Tae