Valentine's Advent Calendar DIY

I love Valentine's Day. And not only because I love any excuse to eat a wide variety of things covered in chocolate, but because I love to make handmade cards, gifts, etc. and give them to the people I love! I'm lucky enough to have an awesome dude in my life who I can shower with cheesy things on heart day, but if I didn't, I'd be Galentine-ing it, Leslie Knope style.

This V-day DIY is based on a tradition I've forced upon Josh for the past three years: the Valentine's advent calendar!

Starting on February first, you get to open one envelope a day leading up to Valentine's Day, to reveal a love note, tiny piece of origami, small gifts like movie tickets/love-y coupons, etc. Here is the advent calendar I created this year, along with instructions for you to make your own!

MATERIALS

• number stencils

• red acrylic paint & small paint brush 

• scissors 

• double-sided tape or glue stick 

• small kraft envelopes (I used 3.25" square ones from Michael's) 

• scrapbook paper OR up-cycled book pages (dictionary pages would work perfectly!) 

• mini clothespins & baker's twine (optional)

• notes, candy, and other small gifts

        DIRECTIONS

• Cut 14 small hearts, about 2.75" wide, out of the scrapbook paper or book pages. I used the super-handy Silhouette Cameo, but you can easily cut them by hand.

• Using the stencils, paint numbers 1-14 on the patterned side of the hearts. Allow the paint to dry about 10 minutes.

• With double-sided tape or a glue stick, adhere hearts to the outside of the envelopes.

• Stick some love-y notes, small candy or other little trinkets inside the envelopes and seal (with a kiss). Display using twine and mini clothespins to string them on the wall, or simply stick them to the wall with double-sided tape in the shape of a heart.

• Enjoy!