Photograph by WordRidden: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wordridden/ The “Secret” to show your beloved valentine that you care while stretching your Valentine’s Day bucks?

Here it is! A lovingly-gathered selection of 10 unique from-the-heart gifts I have for you that you can quickly and easily make with very little expense.

Whether you want to give a heartfelt gift to your sweetheart (man or woman)—or you need a project for a child (with parental supervision) to make his/her gifts for parents or grandparents, or for them to give out at school for their teachers or friends—I have something for everyone!

As a matter of fact many of these can work double-duty and could be made by teenagers for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gifts.

But we all need to remember, we do not need to wait for St. Valentine’s Day to give a gift “made with love”!

1) Heart-Shaped Pretzels
http://www.ehow.com/how_4710012_heartshaped-pretzel.html

2) Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
http://kidscooking.about.com/od/valentinesdaydesserts/r/chocolatestrawb.htm

3) Heart-Shaped Pizza
http://kidscooking.about.com/od/dinnerrecipes/r/heartpizza.htm

4) Message In A Bottle—Instead of buying a card (think green!) repurpose items that you already have with this clever idea.
http://totallyher.com/homemade-valentines-day-gifts/

5) Give a symbol of your love with a charitable donation in the name of your sweetie, The Humane Society is one of many examples where your gift will keep giving. http://www.hsus.org/

6) Create A Living Room Picnic or Make “Love Coupons” both quick projects are available here:
Suite101.com/article.cfm/homemeade_valentines_day_gifts_from_the_heart

7) Force Spring Bulbs and give a container of Spring Flowers.  You can buy inexpensive flower bulbs for this very purpose at your local plant nursery or some well-stocked hardware stores. There are so many wonderful flowers to choose from that thrive when forced: crocus, daffodils, hyacinth to name but a few. http://www.allfreecrafts.com/gardening/force-bulbs.shtml

8 )  Raspberry Tart Cookies http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=15103

9) Decoupage Valentine Ceramic Pot http://www.patriciaspots.com/valentineideas.htm

10) Scented Bath Oil http://www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/gift-ideas-make-your-own-scented-bath-oil/article14261.html

Copyright © 2009 by Mara Rogers of Secrets for Money http://www.SecretsForMoney.info

Photo Credit: This photograph “Happy Valentine’s Day!” by WordRidden.  For more of this Photographer’s work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wordridden/ and http://www.flickr.com/people/wordridden/

For more “Secrets” to making money, saving money, and managing your money go to the Archives at Secrets For Money http://www.SecretsForMoney.info/blog

This article is featured at The Carnival of Personal Finance at
Dollar Frugal:
http://dollarfrugal.com/blog2/2009/02/09/carnival-of-personal-finance-wizard-of-oz-edition/


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