DIY: A Sweet, Sweet Valentine

Confession time: I’m a sucker for holidays. What, you knew that already?…

From mid-November to mid-February, I can’t walk into Duane Reade without being drawn to sparkly Christmas ornaments and frilly heart-shaped boxes full of candy. I stop myself though, because there’s something far more exciting than stocking up on cheaply made decor and festive junk food: homemade holiday gifts.

Every year I promise myself I’ll forgo buying gifts and make them, or at least shop small. I did alright this year, but in 2015, I’m starting off on a do-it-myself note. And here’s my first project! This candy-and-tea jar is a super cute Valentine, or anytime-gift, which you can whip up with just a few ingredients and fill with whatever you want.

See how I made it below.

What you need:

Medium size mason jar

Sweethearts Valentine’s candy

Pukka brand “Love” tea (or anything you want to fill the jar with)

Origami paper (fabric also works)

Scissors & tacky glue

Ribbon or cord

Step 1. Choose your color scheme and affix the candy hearts to the outside of the jar in your desired pattern. I chose three colors and a staggered pattern.

Allow some time for them to dry, and check on them as they dry to make sure they’re not sliding down the jar.

Step 2. As you’re waiting for your candy hearts to dry, take a piece of pretty origami paper (or fabric), and cover the lid of your mason jar. Do this by covering the flat metal cap and pushing it up into the lid frame.

You can also trim the paper (or fabric) until you like how it looks.

Step 3. Tie some cute ribbon around the lid. Pastel and metallics look great with the silver lid!

Optional: Spray the outside of your jar with a sealant to keep the candy from crumbling away or attracting unwanted visitors like bugs and rodents. (eek.)

Step 4. Fill your jar! I chose Pukka tea and the left-over hearts, but you can use whatever you want.

And there you have it! A sweet Valentine (or gift for any occasion) in a reusable jar that’s full of reasons to smile.