HANDMADE VALENTINE #1

It's almost St. Valentine's Day! Better start building your valentine mailbox out of an old shoebox. Or just make a last-minute DIY valentine for your darling beloved. Here's the first of five valentine ideas, all handmade from recycled paper. Begin the V-Day countdown!

The card: I love you a latte (inspired by this card). You just need some recycled paper (I used brown, white, and pink), scissors, glue, 3D foam squares, and a pen.

What to put inside: A gift card from your sweetie's favorite coffee shop! Or, even cuter, a loyalty stamp card with all ten stamps.

The science: Homemade > store-bought. According to a 2015 marketing study, consumers prefer to buy handmade products over machine-made goods. So much so, they're willing to pay up to 17% more for a product that is "literally imbued with love". So to convey your deep affection to your sweetheart this Valentine's Day, make something yourself, with love.