Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! While some may see it as a commercialized holiday, it’s still a great opportunity to show your loved one you care. One way to do that is by making a DIY Valentine’s gift. Not only is it more personal, but it also shows that you took the time to create something special for them.
What are the origins of Valentine’s Day?
The origins of Valentine’s Day date back to ancient Rome. To a festival called Lupercalia which was held in mid-February to celebrate fertility and the coming of spring. Today, Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated around the world to express love and affection towards one another.
A DIY Valentine’s gift is a great way to show your love and appreciation for your sweetheart.
Here are a few of our favorite DIY Valentine’s gift ideas to get you started:
- 1. co*cktail Infusion Jars – These are a great gift for the co*cktail lover in your life. Simply fill a jar with dried fruits, spices, or herbs to infuse the flavor. Then fill in with your favorite alcohol and allow the mixture to infuse for a few days time.
DIY Craft co*cktail Infusion Kits
Our DIY Craft co*cktail Kits come in three delicious flavors:Fruitcake,Mulled Wine, andLavender Lemonade.
After a few days of infusing your desired alcohol with the ingredients in the jar, each kit will yield approximately 12 ounces of delicious infused liquor. You can turn that into 8-10 delicious co*cktails.
I mean, can you even think of a better gift for your sweetheart? 4-5 Happy Hour at Home-inspired co*cktails to share together!
Click here for this Valentine’s gift idea.
- 2. Homemade jams, jellies, and preserves – These are a great way to show your love for your sweetheart’s sweet tooth. You can make a variety of flavors for sweet jellies and jams or even spice things up by adding a bit of heat to the mix for a spicy jam or jelly. Anything goes here – your sweetheart will be savoring the fruits of your labor enjoying this DIY Valentine’s gift for weeks to come!
Kumquat-Thyme Marmalade Recipe
This quick Kumquat Thyme Marmalade recipe from Salt and Wind is perfect served over vanilla pound cake, as a homemade hostess gift, or just served with toasted Brioche in the morning for a lazy winter breakfast in bed.
Click here for this Valentine’s gift idea.
Sweet Onion Jam
Maybe your sweetheart doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth. That’s ok! Our Sweet Onion Jam has more of a savory note that is just perfect piled on crostini, cheeseboards, and grilled cheese.
Equal parts sweet and savory, this onion-based condiment is the perfect way to use up lots of onions at once and sure-fire way to impress your Sweetheart too!
Click here for this Valentine’s gift idea.
HomemadeApple Jalapeño Jellywith Cheddar Pie Crust Crackers
This homemadeApple Jalapeño Jellyfrom Hola Jalapeno makes the most delicious gift for your Valentine, not to mention it is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy that you will love too.
- 3. Cookies – Everyone loves a good cookie, and making them from scratch is a great way to show your love. You can make a variety of flavors such as chocolate chip, raisin oatmeal, or even a cookie with a few health benefits to go along with the indulgence.
Chocolate Red Wine Cookies
Jesse Szewczck’sChocolate Red Wine Cookieswere part of California Wines’ festive holiday countdown last year and for good reason – they’re incredible!!
We think they’ll be perfect for Valentine’s too!
Red-Wine Soaked Raisin Oatmeal Cookies
Hands down, this is the best recipe for Raisin Oatmeal Cookies we have ever eaten! Toasted oatmeal and brown sugar cookies studded with red wine-soakedraisinsand vanilla beans; each bite is a literal flavor bomb for your tastebuds.
Click here for this Valentine’s gift idea.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
Is your sweetheart gluten-free? Thesechocolate chip cookies from A Girl Defloured are pure perfection and they just happen to be gluten-free too.
Thick and chewy and deeply rich with two kinds of chocolate chips (both dark & milk chocolate), they are meant for dunking in a glass of ice-cold milk.
- 4. co*cktails – For the co*cktail lover in your life, why not make them a special co*cktail for Valentine’s? You can make a classic like a martini or a Manhattan, or you can get creative and make a new co*cktail that you came up with.
The California 75
This sensational lemon co*cktail is as bright and effervescent as the ocean views you’ll see driving down California SR75 to sunny San Diego.
If you are a fan of a classic French 75 you will love our So Cal-inspired spin. This lemon co*cktail calls fordry vermouth from Californiain place of the gin that is called for in the classic version.
Click here for this Valentine’s co*cktail recipe!
Fresh Pomegranate Martini
Our favorite Fresh Pomegranate Martini recipe from G Free Foodie is tangy, delicious, and easy to mix up!
Rosemary and Roasted Grape Wine co*cktail
For this delicious co*cktail, we paired the flavors of jammy roasted grapes, woodsy rosemary, and bright fresh lemon with the effervescent bubbles of sparkling wine from California. It’s quite honestly pure magic for the tastebuds.
Click here for this Valentine’s gift idea.
- 5. Romantic Dinners – A romantic dinner is a great way to show your love for your sweetheart. You can make a sultry steak dinner or you can make a romantic meal inspired by happy hour eats and wine pairings.
Happy Hour at Home Wine Pairings
Recently, food and wine experts Kate Ramos fromHola Jalapeno, and Aida Mollenkamp fromSalt & Wind Travel, joined us on Facebook Live to show how to pair seasonal small bites starring California Grown goodness with some of our most popular wines.
You’ll love their appetizer and wine pairings which just happen to be perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Click here for Valentine’s wine pairings.
Artichoke and Spinach Dip Stuffed Chicken
Our version of this classic, creamy dip recipe is loaded with spinach, artichokes, sauteed onion, garlic, and a mix of creamy cheesy ingredients that will make you weak in the knees.
We love to dip it straight from the baking dish, but we also love to stuff chicken breasts with it. Talk about bringing the wow factor!
Click here for this recipe for Valentine’s Day!
Bavette Steak with Creamy Garlic Sauce
This recipe from Britney Breaks Bread makes a mouth-watering juicy steak that’s flavorful, versatile, and easy!
It’s marinated in a dijon sauce and topped with a creamy garlic butter sauce for a show-stopping dish that’s perfect for every occasion.
Click here for this recipe for Valentine’s Day!
Making a DIY Valentine’s gift is a great way to show your love and appreciation for your sweetheart.
It’s thoughtful, personal, and shows that you took the time and effort to create something special just for them. Your loved one is sure to appreciate the thought and effort that went into your DIY Valentine’s gift this year!
