Valentine's Day Craft Ideas 2016: How To Make Easy, Cheap Gifts (Like Bacon Roses) At Home

Not much thought goes into buying a dozen roses, as expensive as it might be. But it’s much more thoughtful to make your own roses, whether it be with paper or bacon, for those who like to eat their presents. For some fun “do it yourself” Valentine’s Day craft ideas, continue reading below:

1. Bacon Roses: Fans of Pinterest have most likely seen this idea pinned all over the website. But they're actually easy to make. Unlike some Pinterest recipes that come out like a 4-year-old did it, the recipe for bacon roses is pretty simple. First, cut thick-cut bacon. Then roll them so they look like they’re in the shape of a rose, and place them in a muffin tin. You don’t need to grease it since the bacon has enough natural fat. Cook in the bacon in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, making sure to preheat it, and cook them for 30-40 minutes. Buy carnations, cut the tops off, and then pin the bacon buds to the top of the stems with tooth picks once they’ve cooled.

2. Paper Roses: These are a little more time consuming. All you’ll need is red or pink construction paper, glue and scissors. Since picture instructions are more helpful than written ones, check out this excellent article by BuzzFeed.

3. DIY Card: A cute way to make a Valentine’s Day card is to fold it in half and then cut it into the shape of a heart. To make it cartoonish, cut out letters from magazines to write phrases like “Be Mine” or “To My Love.” On the inside, share a quote from a famous writer, or a lyric from his or her favorite song.

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