OVER 15 GIFT IDEAS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
Handmade gifts are precious because they are full of the love and time that has gone into them.
For Valentine's Day, this is the perfect present for your loved one. Here are some ideas for DIY gifts for 14 February.
Valentine's Day trends for 2026
Poetic puzzle
Do you know Victorian puzzles?
They were very fashionable in the 18th century, the era of English Queen Victoria. These are little surprise cards with an origami fold that reveals a hidden message as you go along. These cards were often given as Valentine's Day gifts. More original than a simple poem, each unfolded corner of the paper reveals an intention, a statement, a poem, a charming drawing.
See our tutorial on how to make your own Victorian jigsaw puzzle, inspired by the retro motif or by creating your own message.
Gourmet heart
This easy recipe will melt your loved one's heart.
Use a pastry bag to make two heart-shaped meringues, then assemble them with a pastry cream or red fruit coulis in the centre, like a macaroon.
To give to the one you love in a pretty wrapped box.
© Ruslan Bardash / Unsplash
Cocoon for lovers
A chic picnic may be very romantic, but it's not always easy to organise in February! The weather doesn't really lend itself to this.
With a few wooden slats tied into a tripod by a string and a pretty sheet, you can recreate a tent in the living room! Set up a cosy blanket, a few candles and lanterns for a romantic atmosphere, some beautiful crockery and a wicker basket for your food.... The perfect romantic cocoon for a romantic dinner, transporting you to another world while you stay cosy and warm in your own home!
© Jonathan Borba / Unsplash
Ethical and symbolic gifts
How about treating your other half to a shared moment this Valentine's Day? It could be a cooking class for two, or a workshop to learn how to make a piece of jewellery together...
To give this intangible but highly symbolic gift, cut an envelope out of pretty paper, print out your 'good for' and slip it into the envelope along with a sowing of dried flowers - more original, ethical and poetic than confetti or glitter.
© Rachel Kelli / Unsplash
For more inspiration...
With the eyes of love! For a fun touch on the big day, welcome your loved one with heart-shaped paper glasses. A humorous way of saying "I've only got eyes for you!
Kelly Sikkema / UnsplashFor a change from the traditional bouquet...
A bouquet that lasts
Dried flowers are fashionable because they are more responsible and sustainable. Rather than offering a bouquet that's already dried, ask your florist to compose a bouquet of fresh, seasonal, local flowers that are easy to dry afterwards, such as rice flowers, craspedias, gypsophila, immortelles, mimosa, eucalyptus, statice, etc.
Your loved one will be able to enjoy this bouquet in a vase for a week, then simply hang it upside down for a while to dry and keep as a keepsake.
A bouquet in a cocktail
Atout Cœur tutorial
Sienna BlueSurf the oracle card trend by creating a small painting in paper art in which queen and kings offer each other their hearts.
Here's a lovely graphic statement to give to your loved one!
Sweet messages
Traditionally, on Valentine's Day, we send a card to our Valentine, the one we love most. On 14 February, you can opt for an original way of writing a sweet note to your soul mate.
A jar full of Love
Cut out paper hearts. Write a tender word on one side. Fold each heart in half. Place all the hearts in a glass jar. Give this jar to your other half so that he or she can pick out a sweet note whenever he or she wants.
Declaration on the label
Use a Dymo machine to make these retro labels with embossed letters to label your loved one's everyday items and leave them little messages throughout the day. On the mirror "Tu es la plus belle... le plus beau", on his mug "Belle journée mon amour", on the door "Tu me manques déjà"...
Sealed love
Make a pretty card with a heart or a bouquet of flowers in watercolour for example. Instead of giving it directly to your loved one, have fun posting it in their name two days beforehand. It's rare to receive mail from the person with whom you share your life... emotion guaranteed!
Micheile Henderson / UnsplashDeclaring your love
If words aren't your thing, you can always opt for a pretty candle to give to your loved one.
Die-cut
Take a small tea light out of its metal shell and cut it into a heart shape using a cake cutter. Place this small candle on the breakfast tray brought to bed.
A burning heart
Using gouache markers, draw a pretty heart and your initials on a large cylindrical candle. These candles burn for around sixty hours... enough to light up romantic evenings.
Candlelight dinner
Ties of love
Jewellery is a beautiful symbol of love, because you always have it with you.
Embossed leather
On a simple 1cm wide leather strap, emboss your name or a message with letters. Tie it around your loved one's wrist.
In alphabet beads
Use these little beads with letters on them to get your message across on a bracelet, keyring, telephone jewellery...
Vonvix / UnsplashHidden love
Make a bracelet or belt from thick, pretty leather. Scribble your love note on the inside.
Tuto Tchin, Tchin !!!
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