44 DIY Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts That Don’t Feel Rushed
Updated on February 3, 2023
Most of us don’t have the luxury of time on our side to craft a meaningful Valentine’s Day gift, so we must resort to last-minute solutions that save face. Read on to discover some of the best last-minute DIY presents for February 14th that don’t feel rushed.
A handcrafted gift is infinitely better than something bought from the store since it shows that you put a lot of thought and effort into making it. And it’s usually cheaper. But the options list narrows down significantly when you need something quick since DIY crafts usually take time, especially when you need to practice and deliver polished results. So we wanted to help you by curating a list of last-minute DIY Valentine’s Day gifts that are fast, easy to make, and romantic. Since there are no clear guidelines that define last-minute, we considered only crafts that take less than 12 hours to prepare, including waiting time (e.g. paint that must dry, food that must freeze).
Here is a list of the last-minute DIY Valentine’s Day gifts described in this article:
- DIY pop-up Valentine card (less than 30 minutes)
- DIY date night jar (2 hours and 30 minutes)
- Homemade strawberry sugar scrub (less than 10 minutes)
- DIY candy heart bath bombs (about 10 minutes)
- DIY love potion bath set (about 1 hour)
- DIY etched glass (less than 10 minutes)
- DIY knitted cup cozy (less than 1 hour)
- DIY heart-shaped hand warmes (about 20 minutes)
- DIY heart hand towel (less than 1 hour)
- DIY throw pillow with custom text (2-3 hours)
- DIY his and hers pillowcases (about 1 hour)
- DIY heart stitched basket (10 minutes at most)
- DIY LOVE sequin shirt (30 minutes at most)
- DIY beaded heart beanie (about 4 hours)
- DIY ribbon heart (less than 5 minutes)
- DIY glitter heart box (about 1 hour)
- DIY LOVE blocks with photos (under 1 hour)
- DIY twig monogram (about 2 hours)
- DIY pinecone floral wall art (2-3 hours)
- DIY wood slice photo frame (1-2 hours)
- DIY button picture frame (1-2 hours)
- DIY pink and red mesh wreath (about 4 hours)
- DIY sparkly candle (about 30 minutes)
- DIY heart candle holder (20 minutes at most)
- DIY heart mason jar flower vase (under 1 hour)
- DIY pom-pom flower bouquet (under 1 hour)
- DIY paper flower ball (30 minutes at most)
- DIY beaded heart and rock decoration (about 2 hours)
- DIY melting heart slime (about 5 minutes)
- DIY giant gilded love bugs (a little over 2 hours)
- DIY heart-eating gilded dinosaur (a little over 2 hours)
- DIY pom-pom monster (about 15 minutes)
- DIY heart crayon box (under 30 minutes)
- DIY romantic matchbox cover (about 10 minutes)
- My heart beats tic-tock for you Tic-Tac printables (about 5 minutes)
- Bee mine custom honey jar (about 15 minutes)
- DIY notebook paper treat bag (under 5 minutes)
- DIY dessert kabob (about 30 minutes)
- Homemade chocolate-covered strawberries (under 1 hour)
- Homemade red velvet crinkle cookies (2 hours and 40 minutes)
- Homemade giant heart cookie (under 1 hour)
- Homemade love letter cookies (2 hours at most)
- Homemade keto strawberry cheesecake fat bombs (about 2 hours and 10 minutes)
- Homemade Persian love cake (1 hour and 20 minutes)
Keep reading to discover more information about each DIY last-minute Valentine’s Day gift, including required supplies and tutorial sources.
1. DIY pop-up Valentine card (less than 30 minutes)
A card is the simplest last-minute Valentine’s Day gift, and you can make your own pop-up Valentine card in less than 30 minutes. To start working on this DIY project, you need two pieces of cardstock, colored paper for the popups, glue, scissors, and markers. Visit Daily Trib for step-by-step instructions. Check our list of handpicked DIY Valentine’s Day cards for more inspiration.
2. DIY date night jar (2 hours and 30 minutes)
A DIY date night jar is an exciting last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes 2 hours and 30 minutes to create. Most of that time is spent waiting for the paint to dry. You need a mason jar, dyed popsicle sticks or sticks with paint, glitter pens, paint pens, a ribbon or baker’s twine, and scrapbook paper. Write several date night ideas on colorful popsicle sticks and place them in a mason jar. Decorate the jar with heart-shaped chalkboard paint so that anything you write will become erasable. Whenever you and your S.O. can’t decide what to do for date night, just grab a random stick. Check out Tastefully Eclectic for more info.
3. Homemade strawberry sugar scrub (less than 10 minutes)
Homemade strawberry sugar scrub is a lovely last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for someone who appreciates artisanal self-care products; it takes less than 10 minutes to create. The recipe calls for cane sugar, freeze-dried strawberries, organic virgin coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Check out the cooking directions at Totally the Bomb.
4. DIY candy heart bath bombs (about 10 minutes)
Make candy heart bath bombs as a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for your wife, girlfriend, best friend, or mother who needs a bit of pampering once in a while; the whole recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare. The list of ingredients includes Epsom salt, baking soda, cornstarch, citric acid, micro candy heart sprinkles, and skin-friendly oil like avocado oil or jojoba oil. Add lemon, vanilla, bergamot and lime essential oils for fragrance. Visit Creative Green Living for the full tutorial.
5. DIY love potion bath set (about 1 hour)
Craft a love potion bath set with lovely packaging as a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift; it shouldn’t take you more than an hour. For this DIY project, you need apothecary bottles, glitter, glue, gift tags, bath salts, bubble bath, and muslin bags. Check out Sugar & Cloth for step-by-step instructions.
6. DIY etched glass (less than 10 minutes)
A custom etched glass is an awesome last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes under 10 minutes to make once you settle on a stencil design; the etching cream needs about 45 seconds to take effect. Make it festive by etching a heart with your initials inside. In addition to a plain glass and etching cream, you need letter stickers and a heart window cling. Check out the tutorial at Thistlewood Farms.
7. DIY knitted cup cozy (less than 1 hour)
A cup cozy is an adorable last-minute Valentine’s Day gift to knit for a teen or a teacher; it takes less than an hour to make. All you need is fabric and sewing skills. After knitting the cozy, stitch a felt heart. Check out the crocketing instructions at Setting for Four.
8. DIY heart-shaped hand warmer (about 20 minutes)
Craft heart-shaped wand warmers as a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift to keep hands cozy for the remainder of February; it shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes. For this DIY project, you need wool craft felt, cotton embroidery floss, a needle, dry white rice, and dried lavender or essential oil for fragrance. Go to Hello Glow for details.
9. DIY heart hand towel (less than 1 hour)
Craft heart hand towels as last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts since one takes less than an hour to make. Sew felt hearts on white hand towels and the person’s initial for a touch of class. Check out Bumblebee Linens for the tutorial.
10. DIY throw pillow with custom text (2-3 hours)
A decorative pillow with text qualifies as a last-minute gift for Valentine’s Day since it takes 2-3 hours to finish, assuming you don’t rush. It’s a great present for writing custom messages. For example, add love quotes, song lyrics, or an entire love letter. Create the text using a letter stencil and a fine-tipped fabric marker. It’s also necessary to sew the fabric to create the pillowcase, which goes faster when using a sewing machine. Visit Homedit for detailed instructions.
11. DIY his and hers pillowcases (about 1 hour)
A set of his and hers pillowcases is a simple and meaningful last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for couples; it takes about 1 hour. Use existing pillowcases, sew two white heart halves, and add HIS and HERS in red. A sewing machine makes your job significantly easier. Check out A Beautiful Mess for this design idea.
12. DIY heart stitched basket (10 minutes at most)
A heart-stiched basket is an excellent last-minute Valentine’s Day gift since it doesn’t take more than 10 minutes; it depends on how fast you can stitch a heart. You need a regular woven basket, thick red yarn, and a large sewing needle. Use the basket’s weaving like a piece of cloth and sew a big red heart in the center. Don’t worry about making a perfect shape since a rough design is enough. Check out Homedit for more details.
13. DIY LOVE sequin shirt (30 minutes at most)
Take an old favorite plain shirt of your Valentine and personalize it by sewing LOVE in sequin; it’s a simple and meaningful last-minute gift for February 14th which shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. Sew a sequin ribbon on the shirt since it’s significantly faster than sewing individual sequins. Draw LOVE in chalk and use it as a template for the sewing part. Check out our LOVE sequin shirt tutorial for more info.
14. DIY beaded heart beanie (about 4 hours)
Add a personal touch to a beanie by decorating it with a beaded heart and use it as a cool last-minute Valentine’s Day gift; it takes about 4 hours to complete since there’s painting involved. Draw a heart shape with chalk and fill it with Tulip Beads in a Bottle, which uses iron-on technology to paint white beads to the fabric. Then add Tulip Glam-it Up! Hot-fix glass crystals for extra sparkle. Check out I Love To Create for further details.
15. DIY ribbon heart (less than 5 minutes)
A DIY ribbon heart is a simple last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes less than 5 minutes to craft. You need colored paper, scissors, a ribbon, and a glue stick. Mix and match various colors to create something unique and lively. If you have more than 5 minutes available, consider making several ribbon hearts to hang around the house. Check out our in-depth guide for making a ribbon heart.
16. DIY glitter heart box (about 1 hour)
A DIY glitter heart box is a stunning last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for storing candies and love notes; it takes about an hour to put together. Coat a small paper mache heart box with Mod Podge and colored glitter. Check out the step-by-step instructions at Design Improvised.
17. DIY LOVE blocks with photos (under 1 hour)
Decorate four wooden blocks with LOVE and photos as a meaningful last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other or parents; it takes less than an hour to complete. For this DIY project, you need wooden cubes, scrapbook paper, decoupage glue, and a printer. Go to Stories by Me for the detailed tutorial.
18. DIY twig monogram (about 2 hours)
A DIY twig monogram is an easy and thoughtful last-minute Valentine’s Day gift; it takes a couple of hours to put together since there’s painting involved. The recipient will love receiving their initial made out of twigs, especially if they have a soft spot for rustic wall art. For this DIY project, you need branches, acrylic paint, a lace ribbon, pom-poms, felt, hemp twine, a glue gun, a pencil, and scissors. See our complete tutorial for crafting a twig monogram.
19. DIY pinecone floral wall art (2-3 hours)
DIY pinecone floral wall art is a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes 2-3 hours to complete. Most of that time is spent waiting for the paint and glue to dry. Pinecone floral wall art is an artsy alternative to an authentic flower bouquet for February 14th. This DIY project requires pinecones, a wood board, acrylic paints in various colors, branches, scissors, a paintbrush, a hot glue gun, a silk ribbon, and garden pruners. Learn how to make pinecone flower wall art from our website.
20. DIY wood slice photo frame (1-2 hours)
A DIY wood slice picture frame is a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes 1-2 hours to complete. Like pinecone floral wall art, acrylic paints and hot glue need time to dry. A wood slice photo frame uses wood slices and moss to give off a cabin-in-the-woods feel, which an outdoorsy Valentine would appreciate. This DIY project requires a cardboard picture frame, dry plants, moss, wood slices, acrylic paints, a thin paintbrush, a pencil, and a glue gun. View our guide for crafting a wood slice picture frame.
21. DIY button picture frame (1-2 hours)
A DIY button picture frame is another last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes 1-2 hours to complete. This DIY project requires a cardboard picture frame, buttons, acrylic paint, a paintbrush, scissors, a hot glue fun, and a lace ribbon. For a cohesive look, use assorting buttons and ensure they pair well with the paint color. See our tutorial for making a button picture frame.
22. DIY pink and red mesh wreath (about 4 hours)
Craft a pink and red mesh wreath as a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that doubles as a door decor; it takes about 4 hours since there’s painting involved. This crafting project requires a foam wreath form, wired pink and red burlap ribbon, wired red ribbon with white hearts, red and white heart ribbon, tulle in two colors, pushpins, a small wooden plaque, chalkboard paint, chalk, a red wood heart, pink acrylic paint, a paintbrush, a hot glue gun with glue, a ruler or tape measure, and scissors. Check out the full tutorial at Life Family Fun.
23. DIY sparkly candle (about 30 minutes)
With enough imagination and a bit of taste, even a simple candle becomes an amazing last-minute Valentine’s Day gift; it takes about 30 minutes to decorate. Get a large candle with your Valentine’s favorite scent and decorate it with rhinestones and ribbons. The project is quite versatile since you can create intricate patterns, combine colors, and use rhinestones to spell words like LOVE YOU – depending on how much time you have left. See our tutorial for making a sparkly candle.
24. DIY heart candle holder (20 minutes at most)
A candle holder decorated with hearts is a simple last-minute Valentine’s Day gift since it shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes. For this DIY project, you need an empty jar, a brush, a red ribbon, pink and red paper, white vellum, white liquid glue, a pencil, and scissors. Read our instructions for making a heart candle holder.
25. DIY heart mason jar flower vase (under 1 hour)
A DIY heart mason jar flower vase is a cute last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes under an hour to craft. For this project, you need a simple mason jar, a ribbon, twine, burlap, and red fabric. Making a rose by rolling strips of red fabric is the lengthiest part, but it’s easy. Check out our guide for making a mason jar flower vase.
26. DIY pom-pom flower bouquet (under 1 hour)
A pom-pom flower bouquet is a delightful last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes less than an hour to craft. Use colorful, assorting yarn to make the pom-poms, stick them to twigs, make leaves out of green felt, and wrap the bouquet with a ribbon, lace, and twine. Include a gift tag if you’re making bouquets for several people, like your co-workers. Spray the pom-pom bouquet once a week to make it look like real flowers. Check out Camille Styles for more information.
27. DIY paper flower ball (30 minutes at most)
A handcrafted paper flower ball is a lovely alternative to a potted flower that you can whip up as a last-minute gift for Valentine’s Day; it shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. Your Valentine can use this paper flower ball to decorate a small space, such as their office desk, a coffee table, or a windowsill. Start this project using a tiny terracotta pot, a polystyrene sphere, dry foam, a wooden stick, colored paper, pearl head pins, scissors, a pencil, a glue stick, and a hole punch. See our guide for making a paper flower ball. It uses a flower hole punch, but we suggest a heart hole punch for a Valentine-themed gift.
28. DIY beaded heart and rock decoration (about 2 hours)
A DIY beaded heart and rock decoration is a playful trinket to craft as a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for a person who already has everything; it takes about 2 hours, and most of that time is waiting for the paint to dry. The supply list calls for a rock, a wire, a silk ribbon, red and white beads, red and white acrylic paint, a paintbrush, a pencil, and scissors. Check out our tutorial for crafting a beaded heart and rock decoration.
29. DIY melting heart slime (about 5 minutes)
Melting heart slime is playful, non-cheesy, and works as a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for kids and teachers since it takes only 5 minutes to prepare. It looks like melted jewelry and smells amazing since it contains rose essential oil. You also need red glitter glue, liquid starch, heart confetti, and glitter for this DIY project. Check out Growing a Jeweled Rose for the detailed tutorial.
30. DIY giant gilded love bugs (a little over 2 hours)
A pair of these giant love bugs is an unconventional last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for all entomology fans, which takes 5 minutes to craft and 2 hours to wait for the paint to dry. Use realistic-looking plastic bugs from your local toy store and spray-paint them in gold or any other color. Finish the design by painting a small red heart on the insects. Head over to Studio DIY for more info.
31. DIY heart-eating gilded dinosaur (a little over 2 hours)
A heart-eating gilded dinosaur is a non-cheesy last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for showing your playful side, which takes less than 5 minutes to craft and 2 hours to wait for the paint to dry. Use a toy dinosaur, gold paint, glue, and wooden hearts. Visit Lovely Indeed for the full tutorial.
32. DIY pom-pom monster (about 15 minutes)
Show your Valentine you have a playful side with a pom-pom monster, an easy last-minute gift that takes about 15 minutes to craft. For this DIY project, you need a red pipe cleaner, pink yarn, red felt, googly eyes, hot glue, scissors, and a pencil. If you have more time, make a bundle of these adorable monsters. Read our instructions for making a pom-pom monster.
33. DIY heart crayon box (under 30 minutes)
A handmade heart crayon box is a cute last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for kids and adults who love to draw; it takes less than 30 minutes to craft. Using a regular crayon box as a template, recreate it with pink cardstock, glitter, and festive decorations. When it’s read, fill the box with colorful crayons and attach a tag with a sentimental message. A Pumpkin and a Princess has a step-by-step tutorial, so check it out.
34. DIY romantic matchbox cover (about 10 minutes)
Romantically-themed matchbox covers are a cool last-minute Valentine’s Day for someone who has everything; a single cover takes 10 minutes to put together. Head over to Clementine Creative, download the free template, print it on regular paper, and stick it to matchbox boxes with double-sided adhesive. Consider preparing several matchboxes with different messages. Fill them with various items, such as candy, confetti, or tiny handwritten love notes.
35. My heart beats tic-tock for you Tic-Tac printables (about 5 minutes)
A pack of Tic Tacs with a DIY label that reads My heart beats Tik-Tok for you is a funny last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes 5 minutes to put together. Visit The Idea Room to download the free printable, remove the label from a Tic Tac box, and stick this one instead.
36. Bee mine custom honey jar (about 15 minutes)
Gifting honey in a small jar with a mini honey dipper and a Bee mine label attached is a lovely last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes to prepare. Most of that time is spent pouring the honey into the jar. Visit Earnest Home Co to download the free template, print it on cardstock, cut the paper nicely, and attach the label to the honey jar.
37. DIY notebook paper treat bag (under 5 minutes)
Craft treat bags out of notebook paper for an easy last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes less than 5 minutes. Head over to White Gunpowder to learn how to fold the paper. Fill the bag with candy, seal it with a colorful heart, and write a lovely message like Happy Valentine’s Day or Love you forever.
38. DIY dessert kabob (about 30 minutes)
DIY dessert kabobs with pink marshmallows are a cool last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes about 30 minutes to craft. Use this idea to create several small gifts for many people. For this DIY project, you need foil paper, bamboo skewers, scissors, glue, a pencil, and dessert bites. For example, use brownie bombs or pink marshmallows. The dessert shouldn’t have a creamy filling because it would pour out when poked by the kabob. Write a gift tag and attach it to each kabob with baker’s twine. Check out our tutorial for making dessert kabobs.
39. Homemade chocolate-covered strawberries (under 1 hour)
Chocolate-covered strawberries are the unofficial dessert of Valentine’s Day and qualify as a last-minute gift since they take less than an hour to prepare. To make them, you need fresh strawberries and red and white candy melts. As for kitchen equipment, you need parchment paper, bowls, skewers, and piping bags. Go to Life Family Fun for the recipe.
40. Homemade red velvet crinkle cookies (2 hours and 40 minutes)
Red velvet cake is a classic Valentine’s Day dessert, so turn it into a last-minute gift by making red velvet crinkle cookies; the recipe takes 2 hours and 40 minutes to whip up. The ingredient list includes all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, milk or buttermilk, vanilla bean paste or vanilla, lemon juice, red food coloring, white chocolate chips, and powdered sugar. Check out Cooking Classy for the baking directions.
41. Homemade giant heart cookie (under 1 hour)
A home-baked giant heart cookie is a tasty last Valentine’s Day gift for making a statement; it takes less than an hour to prepare. The list of ingredients includes all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, butter or margarine, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, egg, milk chocolate morsels, and decorator icing in tubes. Visit Very Best Baking for the full recipe.
42. Homemade love letter cookies (2 hours at most)
Bake delicious homemade cookies that look like love letters as a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift; they shouldn’t take you more than 2 hours. It’s a fantastic idea for couples and kids to bring to school. The list of ingredients calls for graham cracker squares, white fondant, red edible food marker, pink or white frosting, a small square cookie cutter, a rolling pin, powdered sugar, tiny candy melts, and toothpicks. Visit Life Family Fun for the full recipe.
43. Homemade keto strawberry cheesecake fat bombs (about 2 hours and 10 minutes)
Homemade keto strawberry cheesecake fat bombs are delicious and healthy desserts to prepare as a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift since they take 10 minutes to prepare and about 2 hours to freeze. They are low in carbs, so they can be safely eaten by someone watching over their diet. The ingredient list calls for cream cheese, butter, an artificial sweetener like Swerve, salt, fresh strawberries. Visit Green and Keto for the detailed recipe.
44. Homemade Persian love cake (1 hour and 20 minutes)
A homemade Persian love cake is a delicious last-minute Valentine’s Day gift that takes only an hour and 20 minutes to prepare. Bake the cake using all-purpose flour, baking powder, unsalted butter, superfine sugar, nutmeg, almonds, cardamom pods, pistachios, eggs, full-fat Greek yogurt, orange, and rosewater. Make the syrup using superfine sugar, lemon, and rosewater. For the icing, you need powdered sugar, lemon juice, and chopped pistachios with edible dried rose petals to garnish. Check out our complete recipe for a homemade Persian love cake.
Conclusion
With the time crunch of February 14th just around the corner, it’s not easy to find a special and meaningful gift for your loved one. But with a little creativity and ingenuity, a DIY last-minute Valentine’s Day gift shows your partner how much you care without breaking the bank or feeling rushed to get something special. If the ideas outlined in this article are unconvincing, check out these Valentine’s Day gift basket ideas to whip up in a pinch.