17 DIY Valentine's Day Gifts For Your Partner or Friend

These DIY Valentine's Day gifts are perfect for your partner, a friend, a teacher, a coworker, or whomever!  

To be honest, we don't really celebrate Valentine's Day.  I don't expect flowers—but I wouldn't complain about a Reese's bouquet—or a fancy dinner.

If I'm feeling spunky, maybe I'll make heart shaped pancakes or a heart shaped pizza for the kids.

I do like the cutesy part of Valentine's Day though.  After the polar vortex this week, I need something light and fun to think about right now.

Since we don't spend a lot of money on Valentine's Day, here are some DIY Valentine's Day gifts for your partner, or friends, or even teachers.

Valentine's Day is in just over four weeks, so it's time to start planning your gifts and ordering supplies now.

There are several ideas here, all for adults, but some would work for kids.  

DIY VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS FOR YOUR PARTNER OR FRIEND

SOY WAX MELTS WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

These soy wax melts are made with natural fragrance oils to fill the room with a fun Valentine's Day scent.  The adorable heart mold is perfect for Valentine's Day.  (Shop Valentine's Day wax melts on Etsy.)

ROSE VANILLA BATH BOMBS

Who doesn't want the gift of relaxation?  These rose petal vanilla bath bombs must smell amazing!  (Shop Valentine's Day bath bombs on Etsy.)

HUGS AND KISSES MASON JAR GIFT

This gift is so easy, but who wouldn't love a hugs and kisses mason jar filled with chocolate?

GEODE SOAPS

These geode soaps are so much fun to make!  They would be a great DIY project to do with your friends as well as for a gift.  (Shop Valentine's Day soaps on Etsy.)

DIY LIP SCRUB AND LIP GLOSS

Since Valentine's Day is the day for love, it makes sense to gift a lip scrub and lip balm. 

VALENTINE'S DAY SEED PAPER

This seed paper is meant to be a Valentine for kids to pass out at school, but I think it would make a great gift for friends.  You could gift several to a friend to make a really cute gift. (Shop seed paper on Etsy.)

STRAWBERRY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

These strawberry chocolate truffles can be made sugar free and with a natural color.

SOY WAX DIPPED ROSES

These adorable wax dipped roses are dipped in soy wax with a natural fragrance oil.  They give off a light scent for several weeks and look so pretty sitting on a desk or dresser.

CUSTOM BOXERS

If you and your partner have a sense of humor, these DIY boxer shorts will be a hit.  You can make your own SVG files or buy them on Etsy.  (Shop funny men's boxers on Etsy.)

SUGAR SOAP SCRUB

This cute sugar soap scrub is made with natural ingredients to cleanse and exfoliate. 

VALENTINE'S DAY HEART MASSAGE MELTS

This massage melt recipe is made with a natural fragrance oil for a fun scent.  It has mango butter, so it melts on contact with your skin.  The carrier oils are dry oils, so it soaks into your skin quickly.  These can also be used as a solid lotion if you're gifting to friends.  (Shop massage melts on Etsy.)

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATES

Give your Valentine or Galentine a box of homemade chocolates.  I mean, who doesn't love chocolates?  (Shop empty candy boxes.)

NAUGHTY COUPON BOOK

Okay, this one is probably better suited to giving to your partner.  This is a racy version of a coupon book, but she also has a link to a tamer version.

SUGAR COOKIE BOX

If you're giving to several friends or teachers, even boxes of chocolates add up quick.  Make your own sugar cookies to fill Valentine's Day boxes.

CONVERSATION HEART SOAP

You can customize these conversation heart soaps to say whatever you want.  (Shop conversation heart soap on Etsy.)

SOAP PETALS

These soap petals are cute sitting in a soap dish or to toss in the bath for a romantic bath for two.  (Shop soap petals on Etsy.)

UDDERLY AWESOME LOTION

Everyone needs lotion, right?  I know I really need it after this harsh winter and polar vortex.  Here's a cute way to gift lotion with Udderly Awesome printable gift tags.

TRUFFLE BATH MELTS

These truffle bath melts melt in the bath to moisturize your skin.  (Shop bath melts on Etsy.)

CANDY JARS WITH PRINTABLE LABELS

For a very easy DIY Valentine's Day gift, put some candy in a jar and add this label.  I like this printable Valentine's Day candy label because you can use it with any kind of candy.  (Shop printable Valentine's Day printable labels on Etsy.)

I hope you like these DIY Valentine's Day gifts for your partner or friend.  Let me know if you try any of them!

Cold and Flu Sinus Relief Shower Steamers Without Citric Acid

Use these cold and flu sinus relief shower steamers when you need a natural decongestant.  They release essential oils while you shower, which can help you breathe easier.

When I'm sick with sinus trouble, whether it be from allergies, a sinus infection, or a cold, I am miserable.  I turn on the cool mist humidifier and take my meds, but the thing that brings me the most relief is using my Breathe Easy essential oil blend.

At the first sign of sinus trouble, I put Breathe Easy in my essential oil diffuser.  This works well, but using the oils in steam seems to help better.

Sometimes I use my bath salts for cold and flu, which works great when I'm achy and want to take a bath.  But I don't always want to take a bath.  Sometimes I'd rather take a shower.

Whether you call these cold and flu shower steamers or sinus relief shower bombs or decongestant shower melts, they are wonderful if you have any sinus trouble.

DIY Soy Wax Dipped Roses

These soy wax dipped roses make a great gift for anyone in your life.  These are popular around Valentine's Day, but they can be displayed any time.  They are dipped with soy wax and a natural fragrance, so they lightly scent the room. 

I used to sell an insane amount of these wax DIY soy wax dipped roses years ago.  I would make them in rose, chocolate, and several other scents.  I'd sell 100s of these on my website and in person starting in mid January each year.

These wax dipped roses are fairly easy to make, but they are a little messy and somewhat time consuming.  I used to have a place set up to hang them to dry, but I don't anymore so I had to hold them while the wax set up.

I used Very Berry Cobbler for these dipped flowers, which is the same scent I used for my Valentine's Day massage melts.

Normally, I wouldn't use a bakery scent for Valentine's Day, but this is just perfect for Valentine's Day.

Also, I realize that my flowers aren't roses, but no one searches for "wax dipped flowers".  I was going to get roses, but these were so pretty that I couldn't pass them up.

These cute little hearts are perfect for Valentine's Day!  Learn how to make soy wax melts for Valentine's Day or any day with this DIY tutorial.  I used a natural chocolate fragrance oil, but you can use essential oils.  

Valentine's Day will be here in just a few weeks.  After the snow that got dumped on us last weekend, I'm ready for the cute and fun holiday to arrive.  

We only got about 6 inches of snow on Saturday, but the drifting has been really bad.  There are drifts up to 5 feet tall on the roads, so we've been stuck at home.  

I heard the roads are getting clearer each day, but there's now a layer of ice below the snow.  So we've been at home playing board games, baking yummy things, and trying to stay warm.  

Since we've moved past the Christmas scents, I wanted to move into some fun scents for Valentine's Day.  I decided to use this new natural chocolate scent that I picked up last month to make these soy wax melts for Valentine's Day.  

HOW TO MAKE SOY WAX MELTS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

For this recipe, I kept it simple and calculate for one pound of wax.  You can make this recipe bigger or smaller with a few calculations.  I actually used three ounces of wax, so I decreased the scent and stearic acid by one fourth.

I knew I wanted a few wax melts, but I wasn't really picky on how many I made.  If you want to make an exact amount, find out how big your mold is and melt that much soy wax.

Not all molds are marked.  The mold I used isn't marked, so I couldn't use that method.  You can also fill an 8-ounce measuring cup with water and pour it into the molds.  Once they are full, see how much water you used.  That's how much soy wax by weight to melt.

Or you can fill the mold with soy wax flakes.  Weigh the wax and then double it.  That should be very close to what you need.  

I always keep little souffle cups handy when I'm making soaps and waxes.  If I have extra, I pour it in there and give it to friends or keep it for myself.  It may not be pretty, but it will work just fine.

SOY WAX

I used Crafty Bubbles soy container wax.  I've been using it since I sold wax melts years ago, and it's my favorite to work with.  

Soy wax generally doesn't have as good of a throw as paraffin wax, but this one does have a good throw.  

I use soy because it's more natural than paraffin wax.  I also live in the country, surrounded by corn and soy fields.  

I'd rather buy something that's not only renewable, but is also supporting my neighboring farmers.

STEARIC ACID OR VYBAR

I used a container soy wax, so I added some stearic acid.  If you are using a wax made for molds, then you won't need to add anything.  

Stearic acid helps wax shrink as it cools.  If you've ever used a wax melt and had to scrape it out of your burner, they didn't add stearic acid.  

I use stearic acid in other recipes like my peppermint mocha whipped salt scrub recipe, so I always have it in my stash of supplies.

Vybar is probably more popular to add to candle wax.  It helps the wax release from the mold because it hardens the wax, and it helps with scent throw.  

MOLD

I really like using silicone molds for my soy wax melts because the tarts unmold easier.  You can use a mini muffin tin or pour directly into a clamshell mold.  

I picked up this Nerdy Nummies 8- and 16-bit heart mold that's perfect for Valentine's Day.  Being the geek girl that I am, I had to have it!

You can get just the mold as an add on or buy a two pack of molds in a kit for a little more.  

CHOCOLATE NATURAL FRAGRANCE OIL

I picked up a chocolate natural fragrance oil at Bolek's Crafts in December.  This isn't an essential oil, but it is all natural.  You can check out their Facebook page for ordering information.

You can also use cocoa absolute.  The Crafty Bubble chocolate scent is $4 for half an ounce.  Cocoa absolute is about $20 per half ounce, so it's a considerable savings to order it from Bolek's Crafts.

The throw on this chocolate scent is amazing!  And it smells just like you're baking brownies.  It's a true chocolate scent and not fake.

You can also use a fragrance oil or essential oil.  You'd use the same amount per pound of wax for most scents.  Some scents like cinnamon or peppermint are very strong, so you should use about half as much.  If you want to add more, make a note for the next time.  

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

• 1 pound soy wax
• 3 tablespoon stearic acid or 1/2 teaspoon vybar (if using a container wax)
• Candle colorant 
• 0.5 to 1 ounce chocolate natural fragrance oil or cocoa absolute or other essential oil
• Heart shaped mold

DIRECTIONS

STEP #1

Use a digital scale to measure your soy wax.  I put mine in a 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup because I only melted three ounces for this project.

Add the stearic acid or vybar if you are using it.  (See above for why and when to use it.)

STEP #2

I don't have a double boiler, so I make my own.  I set a canning ring in a pan of water. Then I set the measuring cup on top of that.  

This lifts the measuring cup up so it's not on direct heat.  

Fill the pan with enough water to cover at least half of the wax.  Be careful not to get any water in the wax.  

STEP #3

Carefully remove the measuring cup from heat or if you are using a double boiler remove the top pan.  Set on a hot pad.  

Use a laser thermometer to check the temperature of the soy wax.  When it gets below 180 degrees, add the fragrance.  

Add the colorant if you are using it.

Stir well.  If you used stearic acid, it has a higher melting point than does soy wax.  You can see that I got some white streaks.  That's from the stearic acid.  

STEP #4

Carefully pour the soy wax into the molds.  

Let sit until completely cooled before unmolding.  

And how you know how to make soy wax melts!

How cute are these little 8- and 16-bit hearts??

Technically, soy wax melts don't need to cure, but I let them cure for a few weeks anyway.  There are some scents (this chocolate is one of them!) that are very strong from the day you pour it.  Other scents get stronger a few weeks after you poured.  

So for best results, I just factor in some curing time before I use them.


More soy wax melt recipes:

• Pumpkin spice soy wax melts
• Insect repellant soy wax melts
• Breathe easy soy wax melts

If you'd rather buy than DIY, check out these handmade Valentine's Day wax melts on Etsy:

• Hearts and lips wax melts
• Mini heart wax melts
• Midnight romance wax melts
• Conversation heart wax melts

How to Make Soy Wax Melts

Yield: 16 ounces

Author: Cari Dunn

Estimated cost: $5

prep time: 15 Mperform time: 30 Mtotal time: 45 M

These cute little hearts are perfect for Valentine's Day! Learn how to make soy wax melts for Valentine's Day or any day with this DIY tutorial. I used a natural chocolate fragrance oil, but you can use essential oils.

materials:

• 1 pound soy wax
• 3 tablespoons stearic acid or 1/2 teaspoon vybar
• Candle colorant
• 0.5 to 1 ounce essential oil

tools:

• Double boiler
• Laser thermometer
• Digital scale

steps:

1. Use a digital scale to measure your soy wax.
2. Add the stearic acid or vybar.
3. Carefully remove the measuring cup from heat or if you are using a double boiler remove the top pan. Set on a hot pad.
4. Use a laser thermometer to check the temperature of the soy wax. When it gets below 180 degrees, add the fragrance.
5. Add the colorant if you are using it.
6. Stir well.  
7. Pour into molds.  Let cool completely.

NOTES:

If you used stearic acid, it has a higher melting point than does soy wax.  It can cause white streaks if it's not melted, but it won't harm your wax melts.

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Valentine's Day Heart Massage Melts Recipe

These massage melts melt quickly and moisturize your skin during a massage.  They are perfect for Valentine's Day or any day.

Valentine's Day is in less than a month, so I'm sharing my massage melts recipe that's perfect for the holiday.  They can be used for a couples massage, or you can use them as a solid lotion.

How are you celebrating Valentine's Day?

To be honest, we really don't celebrate it.  Sometimes I'll make some kind of pink or red food for dinner.  Or I'll get the kids a little bit of candy to celebrate.

But the hubby and I don't go out or do much of anything special.  In the past, it was too hard to get a sitter.  When you have two kids with autism, sitters are pretty much not an option.

But that doesn't mean you can't show each other how much you appreciate each other with a couples massage to help each other relax.

These Valentine's Day heart massage melts are perfect for a massage.  They melt on contact and soak into your skin quickly, so you won't feel oily after your massage.

I tried a few different ratios of oils and beeswax to make these massage melts.  I wanted them to not fall apart, but I also wanted them to melt fairly easily.

Peppermint Mocha Emulsified Whipped Salt Scrub Recipe

This peppermint mocha whipped salt scrub recipe is made with an emulsifier, so it turns into a lotion when you rinse it off.  The scent is made from an all natural chocolate mint blend.

I've made a lot of body scrubs over the years.  I mean a lot of body scrubs.  I love making them because they are easy to use and really help keep my skin from getting overly dry in the winter.  

For as many scrubs as I've made, I had never made an emulsified scrub until recently.  Before Christmas, I made a whipped gingerbread emulsified sugar scrub.  I loved it so much, I made the same recipe for my DIY bath and body gift sets this year.

As much as I loved it, I wanted to make a whipped salt scrub because my hands are crazy dry this winter.   Epsom salts have a lot of benefits for your skin, and we will get to those in a minute.  

I decided to make this a peppermint mocha whipped salt scrub recipe.  Just before Christmas, I went to the store that sells Crafty Bubbles and picked up some of their new natural blends.  

Yes, you read that right.  This mocha mint scent is all natural!

PEPPERMINT MOCHA EMULSIFIED WHIPPED SUGAR SCRUB RECIPE

Most of my body scrubs use cup or tablespoon measurements, but this one is measured by weight.  Since you use emulsifying wax and a preservative, it's very important to weigh this recipe using a digital scale.  

You'll also need a hand mixer.  I don't use my stand mixer unless I'm making at least four of these at a time because it's just not enough liquid to get a good whip.  

EPSOM SALT

I wanted to use Epsom salt in this whipped sugar scrub for a few reasons.  My skin gets crazy dry in the winter, and salt does a better job at removing dead skin cells than does sugar.  Epsom salts also help unclog pores and improve circulation as you scrub your skin.  

Epsom salts have magnesium, which can be absorbed through the skin.  Epsom salts help flush away toxins and reduce inflammation in your skin.  Epsom salts also have minerals in them that can help improve the health of your skin.

APRICOT OIL

I used apricot oil in this recipe because it's a fairly light oil.  Since it's an emulsified scrub, the oil stays on your skin after you rinse it off.  Apricot oil soaks into your skin faster than other oils, so your hands won't be oily after you use this scrub.  

Apricot oil is high in vitamins A and E to soothe your skin and provide powerful antioxidants to your skin.  The gamma linoleic acid in the oil helps firm the skin.  

You can use any carrier oil in this recipe, but I wanted a lighter oil.  You could also use sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, avocado oil, or argan oil.  

Learn more about different carrier oils and their benefits in my book Carrier Oils.

EMULSIFYING WAX

Emulsifying wax is what makes this salt scrub turn into a lotion when you use it.  It binds with both oil and water, so when you rinse off the scrub, it binds with the water and creates a lotion.  

Emulsifying wax is probably the most popular emulsifier.  There are others that you can use, but I like this.  It's inexpensive and can be used in a lot of recipes.

STEARIC ACID

I added stearic acid because it helps cleanse the skin while you scrub.  It also contains essential fatty acids, so it helps moisturize your skin.  

COCOA BUTTER

Cocoa butter is a solid at room temperature, so it helps this whipped salt scrub recipe get firmer after it sets up.  

Cocoa butter is high in antioxidants to prevent the signs of aging.  It also helps moisturize your skin to prevent dry skin.

COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil is also solid at room temperature, so it helps gives this recipe some bulk.  Coconut oil whips very well, so I like using it in whipped body scrubs.  

It's naturally antibacterial, so I like to use it when my skin is dry and prone to cracking.  

Coconut oil can penetrate deeper into the skin for longer lasting moisturizing.  The fatty acids in it help moisturize and relieve dry skin.  

PEPPERMINT MOCHA NATURAL SCENT

I've been looking for a natural chocolate scent for years, and I found it!  Crafty Bubbles just released a set of natural fragrance oils.  They are a blend natural flavors and essential oils that can be used in soaps, candles, or diy bath and body recipes.

They aren't on Amazon yet, but you can get them directly from Crafty Bubbles.  They are so new that they aren't in their catalog, but you can find more information on their Facebook page.  

VITAMIN E OIL

I added a little bit of vitamin E oil because it's a great antioxidant.  I use the Crafty Bubble vitamin E oil because it's so thick and works so well.  When my cuticles get really dry, I use vitamin E oil straight on them to heal them quickly.  

PRESERVATIVE

Technically, body scrubs don't need a preservative because they don't have water in them.  I've been adding one because I dip wet fingers into the scrub, and I don't want any creepy crawlies to grow.  

Phenonip is probably the most common preservative for sugar scrubs and salt scrubs.  It protects against fungi, bacteria, and mold.  

I used methylparaben because it's what I have in stock.  

But it's a paraben and parabens are bad, right?  

Well, so is having bacteria or mold in your sugar scrub!  

Besides, phenonip is actually several types of preservatives in one product, including methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben.  

You're using such a small amount that I feel that the benefits outweigh the risks.  

INGREDIENTS

• 150 grams Epsom salt
• 50 grams apricot oil
• 15 grams emulsifying wax
• 10 grams stearic acid
• 15 grams cocoa butter
• 6 grams coconut oil
• 2 grams essential oils or fragrance oils (I used Crafty Bubbles Mocha Mint)
• 1 gram vitamin E oil
• 1 gram phenonip or 0.75 grams methylparaben
• 1-4 drops soap colorant (if desired)

DIRECTIONS

STEP #1

Weigh the emulsifying wax, stearic acid, cocoa butter, and coconut oil and place in a Pyrex measuring cup or other glass bowl.

STEP #2

Melt in a double boiler until completely melted.

STEP #3

Add the apricot oil and use a laser thermometer to check the temperature.  Once it's under 175 degrees F, add the fragrance, colorant, vitamin E oil, and colorant if you're using it.  

STEP #4

Set it in the freezer for 10 minutes.  The edges should start to harden.

Use your hand mixer and the whisk attachment to beat the oils until they are light and fluffy.

STEP #5

Measure the Epsom salts and add it to the oils.  Whip again or stir by hand.

This recipes makes 8.5 ounces of peppermint mocha whipped salt scrub.  I've made four batches at a time with no problems.

Looking for more body scrubs?  Check out my book Body Scrubs with 30 recipes to try.  Or try one of these:

• Peppermint Mocha Salt Scrub
• Coconut and Calendula Sugar Scrub
• Solid Salt Scrub Donuts

Not ready to DIY a salt scrub?  Try one of these handmade on Etsy:

• Pick Your Scent Foaming Whipped Salt Scrub
• Espresso Whipped Salt Scrub
• Unicorn Whipped Salt Scrub