Get Homemade Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Feb. 9, 2009 — -- Valentine's Day is coming soon, but if you're worried the recession will put the squeeze on your display of affection, lifestyle expert Nancy Soriano has some inexpensive, homemade gift ideas for you.

You can give your sweetie great gifts and tokens without breaking the bank. Check out some of the gift ideas below.

We all need cards and gift tags. So get all that leftover wrapping paper, scrap and scrapbooking paper — and get some note cards or note card stock – to make some beautiful cards.

It's easy and cheap, but very personal. You can also make gift tags the same way.

Another great thing to do with paper is to get a chocolate bar, any kind you like, remove the paper wrapper and then rewrap it in beautiful scrapbooking paper. Then put a gift tag on it with a message.

And one last thing — get a vintage key and attach a tag that says "key to my heart." It costs next to nothing, and it's such a tender sentiment.

You can create a wonderful tablescape using clear glass containers like vases or mason jars, and votive candles.

Fill them with Valentine's Day candies like pink M&Ms, white and red jelly beans and Red Hots. It really easy and cost-effective and it's great fun.

Put it on your table and on mantles. It's so visual and accessible, and anyone can do it.

This goes right back to using what you already have in your home. You can make what Soriano calls a love box.

Take a shoe box or gift box and cover it with a love poem and personal items, like photos. Use a copy machine to copy everything. Then cover the box and fill it with items that reflect your sweetheart's passions.

Another great item you can make from reused items is a Valentine's Day cracker. These are really popular Christmas gifts, but they're also great for Valentine's Day.

Use a toilet paper or paper towel roll and fill it with candies. Cover it with tissue wrap and decorative paper and tie the ends with ribbons. It's great for kids or as an office gift.