How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Usually my husband and I choose to make a lovely dinner together and I decorate the table in a way fitting for the day. We have been doing this for several years. It really is more fun than going out. And more economical, even if we splurge for special menu items or ingredients.
This time of year we are inundated by offers from jewelers and florists and chocolate shops. At our house, we don’t place any pressure on exchanging gifts and cards, but if we choose to give a gift, it probably will be in an unexpected kind of way. One year my husband bought chocolates in little clear boxes from a local chocolatier and printed off endearments on little slips of paper which he enclosed with the chocolates. He then placed the little boxes throughout the house for me to unexpectedly discover. That was a fun, thoughtful, delicious, and very loving gesture.
This year, I made a box and filled it with heartfelt sentiments.
I was inspired by a box disguised as a stack of letters, tied up with a ribbon, that my friend made. I had noticed it on her shelf, but had no idea that it wasn’t a stack of love letters. What a surprise to discover that when you lift the top letter in the stack you’ll uncover a secret compartment.
After studying the box disguised as a stack of letters and consulting my friend for advice, I created my own version. And then I filled the secret compartment with red and white hearts which I had punched out of cardstock. Each of the hearts has a loving sentiment written on it. I’m hopeful that my husband will appreciate the words of affirmation.
This box disguised as a stack of letters is a great gift for a spouse, or sibling, or older child, or close friend.
Everyone needs words of affirmation….especially those whose love language is words of affirmation.
Do you know your love language?
If you don’t know your love language, or your spouse’s, or your child’s love language, I encourage you to pick up this book by Dr. Gary Chapman, The Five Love Languages. It’s so helpful in discovering what makes your spouse or child ‘tick.’ [Disclaimer: I am an Amazon affiliate and will receive a small percentage of your purchase at Amazon through the above book link.]
Often, we demonstrate our love for someone based on what feels good to us. Our love language. My love language is acts of service. If my spouse’s love language is gifts or quality time and I demonstrate my love mostly through acts of service, our relationship will be lacking. If you haven’t read the book, let me encourage you to put it on your reading list. There are more Love Language books by Chapman on this topic geared toward children and singles as well. You can also go to the author’s website and take a quick test to discover your love language.
My husband appreciates words of affirmation. Most of us do, to some degree. So why not punch or cut out a pile of hearts and write down all those things that you appreciate and love in your spouse, child, or friend. You can place them in something you made, like this box disguised as a stack of letters, or be creative in your delivery method. It’s a fun and meaningful activity that you could get the whole family involved in doing, too. The possibilities are endless.
To make your own box disguised as a stack of letters…see my tutorial here.
If you’d like more Valentine’s Day ideas, please check out these posts:
52 Practical and Thoughtful Ways to Encourage Others
3-D Hanging Paper Hearts Tutorial for Valentine’s Day
Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.
Diane
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Love!
Thank you Cindy!!
Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!!
Adorable
Bet it was time consuming to execute properly, but the results….well worth it
Thanks Gail!! Yes…it did require a level of patience. Something I am often in short supply of when crafting. Which explains why most of my crafts aren’t very complicated. LOL!!
Hope your day is filled with extraordinary joy!
That’s such a neat idea! The receiver would have to appreciate the love and work that goes into that project. Pinning!
Stacey…you are so right. I don’t know about you…but I generally am careful who I gift the things that take a lot of time to make.
Thanks for your lovely thoughts.
Hope your day is extraordinary!
did I miss instructions for making the box!!!!! I searched!
thanks
glenda
oops! went back and saw instructions on the way! hope I do not miss it!
glenda
When I post them….I’ll try to remember to FB you. 🙂
What a nifty idea! I’ll be looking for the tutorial! (Now I wish I hadn’t thrown away a bunch of unused freebie greeting cards I decided I’d never use. The envelopes would have been perfect for this!) Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks Mrs. T! Isn’t that just the way it goes!?!
Hope your week ends on an extraordinary note!
Diane, this is such a lovely idea. Both the box and the sentiments. I will be waiting for the tutorial.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Ginger
Thank you so much Ginger!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!! [hugs]
Love this idea!
And how cute is that box!!!!
Awwww….thanks Jen!! I think it’s pretty special too. And that says a lot…ask my husband. I second guess EVERYTHING I do. LOL!
That is simply amazing! I can’t imagine how you could even come up with that idea, but I’m glad you did.
Thanks Karen!!! My friend has a box that she made a long time ago, so she gave me a few tips and I studied hers. It’s not original to me, really. But, thanks for your really kind remarks! You made my day!! 🙂
That is one sweet and romantic box ❤
Awwww…thanks so much Dee!! 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day!
How lovely idea! Too romantic! Thanks for sharing it! Would love to have you visit me sometime 🙂
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
http://www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
Thank you so much Ana!!!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!!
This is a fabulous idea! I’ve never seen anything like it but it would work well for so many ideas. I’ll be anxious to see how you made it! Happy Valentines day my friend! Hugs, Diane
Thank you so much, Diane! I’m working on the tutorial….ugh…they take forever! LOL!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
This is just too cute for words! What an amazing idea! Thanks for sharing at TTF!
It’s a little bit of work…I’m pretty happy with the final result.
Thanks Linda!!
Wow this is amazing! I have never seen anything like it! I was just so surprised! I love how you guys do Valentine’s, it’s so sweet! 🙂
Heather, you are so sweet! Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Love this!! So sweet! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Awww…thank you so much Starla!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!
Wonderful idea! Really lovely…
Happy Valentine!
Kebo
Thanks Kebo!! I so appreciate you stopping by.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Oh my gosh I adore this idea and can’t wait for your tutorial post on how to make these. My daughter is getting married next year and I’m thinking I could make a larger version of this with manilla envelopes to use for her wedding cards at the guest book table! So glad I found you over at the Creativity Unleashed Party!
Thank you Marie! I think it would be absolutely wonderful for wedding cards. You could decorate the top much more elaborately if you wish too. I’m working on the tutorial…it’s a little involved…be patient with me. 😉
Blessings!
Diane this is the cutest idea!!! I am with you, I like staying home with my hubby on Vday, not so much when my kids were litlte, I couldn’t wait to get out. Now that they all go out, I just want to stay home! Funny how things change :0 Happy Valentines Day.
Thanks Karen! It went over pretty well. 😉
It is funny how things change….hope you have a lovely evening.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
This is FABULOUSLY clever! I just love it. Pinning!!!
Thanks Tasha!!!
Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!
This is brilliant. I love it. Thank you so much for sharing. I found you over My Romantic Home link party!
Awww…Rach…thank you soooo much!!
This is so fantastic – I love it! Thanks so much for sharing at our Best Of The Weekend party! Pinning this to our party board. Have a great weekend! xo
Thank you so much Claire!!
Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!!
This is so clever and extra special to a letter loving gal like myself! I just ‘pinned’ one of your photos to share the love. Thanks for sharing, and may you receive some of those letters yourself.
Barb…you are so sweet. Thank you for your warm and encouraging words. 🙂
Wishing you an Extraordinary new week!!
Wow What a great idea. Unexpected and fun.
Thank you so much Susan!!
Hope your new week is simply extraordinary!!
Just wanted to stop by and let you know that I enjoyed your post on a Box Disguised as a Stack of Letters so much that I’m featuring you today on The Sunday Faviourates.
Please feel free to stop by and check it out/grab a button.
Hi, I’ve already commented on how much I love this idea but I wanted to stop by again to thank you for linking up to our DIY Sunday Showcase party!
Thanks for the invitation Marie. You are so sweet. 🙂
Best wishes for a week filled with extraordinary moments.
I love this! What a fun gift idea. I love that it’s so surprising and adorable at the same time.
Thank you so much Corinne!!
Best wishes for an Extraordinary week!
So much fun, great idea, love it!
Thanks Laura Le!
Hope your week is Extraordinary!
I love this idea! Our anniversary is coming up and this would be perfect!
Thanks Chantelle….I’m working on the tutorial.
Blessings!
How cute is this??? Very Cute…what a fun idea! Thank you for sharing at One More Time Events…..hugs Tammy
Awwww…Tammy you are soooo sweet!! Thank you!
Diane, what a great idea! I love this idea and the box is super, super sweet and very creative! We celebrated our 20 year wedding anniversary a few days before Valentine’s Day, and like you and your husband, we are not into the big present thing. We are value kindness every day and the small gestures, so this gift is right up our alley! 🙂
Happy Anniversary Kim!! I love hearing a bit of your story too! It surely isn’t the gifts that make our relationships tick…it’s the “little” things that are really big things. Best wishes for many, many more extraordinary years!
This is such an adorable idea!! Thank you for sharing it with us at Sewlicious Home Decor! Pinned!
Marti
Thanks Marti!!
Hope your week is Extraordinary!!
*laughing* I think I can figure out how to do it. But you just feel free to put the tutorial together with all the photos and step by step instructions that you sooo adore doing. 😀 It is a cute idea–and one that he-who-adores-sentimental, tangible things would cherish. More stuff for me to dust, but there ya have it–it’s not about ME, huh?
I’m betting yours was tickled pink (no pun intended).
You are blessed that he enjoys those things, Mel. 😉 Even if it requires dusting. 🙂
Oh my word, I love this idea, how fabulous and creative is this. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Oh Marty! You just made my day! Thank you so much!
Blessings!
This is brilliant! I love it!!
I would love if you would share it at It’s a Party this Thursday (actually it starts Wednesday afternoon).
http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Love this idea!
thanks for sharing at the HomeAcre Hop!
Sandra
Awwww…thanks Sandra!!
Hope your week has been extraordinary!
Those letters fooled me. I love that idea for sure.
Thanks for sharing it.
Helen
I know!! When I saw the stack at my friend’s house originally I thought she had tied up a stack of “real” letters!
Thanks for popping by and leaving your thoughtful remarks, Helen!
What a wonderful idea for a box.. and a secret box is even better!
I’m so glad you are loving it too!! It is so fun!! Thanks Noreen! 🙂
Hi Diane, just wanted to let you know that I will be featuring your A Book In Disguise at the DIY Sunday Showcase Party on Sunday (goes live on Saturday night).
Thank you sooo much!! You just made my day Marie!! [hugs]
What a thoughtful, beautiful Valentine gift!
We always create our own celebration for Valentine’s too with a special dinner and candles and a movie at home (I hate to set still — at least at home I can move around! lol!) We have a special anniversary coming up soon and I think this will be perfect! Looking forward to the tutorial . . . no pressure though!
Thank you so much Charlene!! You time at home sounds perfect. It sounds like I better get this tutorial wrapped up! LOL!! Unfortunately I’ve been busy and away and I confess to dragging my tutorial feet anyway! 😉
Hope your weekend is extraordinary!!
Hi there! Congratulations! This was most viewed last week! You can see your feature here…http://sewlicioushomedecor.com/saturday-showlicious-craft-recipe-showcase-4. Thanks for sharing it with us, we loved it! 🙂
Marti
Thank you soooo much, Marti!! It’s really humbling to be the most viewed!
Hope your weekend is extraordinary!