Every year on Valentine’s Day people give chocolate, candy, and stuffed bears to those close to them in order express their love. While most people won’t turn down the opportunity to eat some chocolate, handmade gifts are much more meaningful. Taking the time to create something that truly comes from the heart conveys to someone how much you truly love them. Despite this, it’s difficult to know what constitutes the perfect gift. To help you this Valentine’s Day, here are five handmade gift ideas that you can use for your friends or significant others.

If you want to emphasize how a person in your life is a “piece of you,” try making Interlocking puzzle piece jewelry! To make this you just need to have connecting puzzle pieces, paint, a small hole puncher, jump rings, and string or chain. Once you have puzzle pieces that connect, you paint them and leave them to dry. Once completely dry, punch a hole in a spot that does not interlock with another piece. If you don’t have a small hole puncher, you can use a nail and hammer it into the puzzle piece. Once you have the hole, open a jump ring and put it through the hole. Finally, put the puzzle piece on a chain or string and close the jump ring. You can make bracelets or necklaces out of these pieces and show how you are forever connected to your friends, boyfriend, or girlfriend.  

If you really want to profess your love for someone, a pocket heart rock is a perfect handmade gift. All you need is a small rock and acrylic paint (nail polish works well too). After you find a rock, just a paint a heart on it. You can take creative liberty with it and paint a message on the rock or write your name. It’s up to you. You can truly give someone your heart this way.

Music is one of the many ways in which you can express your true emotions and how much you appreciate someone. Making a playlist may seem a bit silly or too simple, but it can mean a lot to someone. And it’s highly versatile. You can focus it based on how someone makes you feel, what songs remind you of them, or how you feel towards them. Sometimes it’s the little things you do that can have a huge impact on a person.

Memories are sometimes fleeting. The times you and your friends spent together may fade. Where you had your first kiss may be forgotten. Preserving these memories to share in a photo album is a heartwarming gift to give. Your friends and significant others will be able to look back on moments they will now never forget.

Sometimes it’s hard to say how much you care about someone. It’s easier when it’s written down. Making a message jar is one way to do this. You can write down inside jokes, memories, love notes, motivational quotes, and anything else you can think of. You can be with them always when you gift a message jar.

This Valentine’s Day, change it up and create a handmade gift. Show how much you truly care. Anyone can buy chocolates, but only someone who is truly loving will think to create something that will last forever.