Simple Valentine's Day gifts

Be Mine Booklets

Fill the pages of these mini books with sweet wishes, drawings, small photos or stickers.

You'll Need:

8 1/2" x 11" sheets of lightweight colored paper (printer paper works well)

Scissors

Bone folder or a dull butter knife

Decorative paper, such as origami or scrapbook paper

Decorative labels

Glue stick

How to make it:

1. Fold sheet of paper in half lengthwise. Click here to see a diagram of the folds. After each fold, burnish with the bone folder or knife. Unfold. Fold paper in half horizontally. Fold the top and bottom to the middle, front and back. Unfold the last two folds.

2. Fold paper in half horizontally. Starting at the fold, cut along the center vertical line up to the next horizontal fold line. Holding either side of the paper, pull apart and down. As you do so, the book shape should emerge. Decorate as desired.

Assemble a mug of candy

Follow these easy how-tos for a present that comes from the heart.

You'll need:

Adhesive paper

Heart-shaped paper punch

Glass mug

Paintbrush

Etching cream

Cellophane bag

Candies of your choice

Ribbons

Hole punch

Pink construction paper

How to make it:

1. Cut a 2" square of adhesive paper, then punch a heart-shaped hole in it to create a stencil.

2. Remove adhesive-paper backing and position the stencil on the mug. Press firmly.

3. Dip paintbrush into a jar of etching cream and dab cream on the exposed heart-shaped space on the mug. Let dry for 5 to 10 minutes, then wash thoroughly.

4. Place the empty cellophane bag in the mug and fill with candy. Tie the bag closed with a ribbon. To make a gift tag for the mug, cut a heart out of pink construction paper using the paper punch. Punch a small hole in the heart and thread a ribbon through. Write your greeting to the recipient and tie the heart to the mug's handle.

Make a simple yet delicious Chocolate Silk Pie for someone special on Valentine's Day. Or spoil yourself for a change and try two free preview issues of ALL YOU magazine.

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