• Homemade Valentine's Day gifts are a thoughtful way to celebrate.valentine's heart image by William Berry from Fotolia.com
  
  A homemade Valentine's Day gift lets your husband or partner know that you care enough to put in the time and effort to create something special. As you plan a gift for your Valentine, keep in mind his tastes and schedule: the best gifts are thoughtful in both construction and intention.
  
  

Candlelit Dinner

• A classic homemade gift is a romantic, candlelit dinner for two. Arrange for your husband or boyfriend to keep his evening open. When he arrives home from work, have dinner ready and candles burning, with the lights dimmed for ambiance. Dress up for the occasion and line the way to the dining area with rose petals. Even if your cooking abilities only allow you to cook something simple, you can make the meal special with a beautiful table setting and your best china.
  
  

Picnic

• If Valentine's Day falls on a warm enough day, surprise your Valentine with a picnic for two. Bring a blanket to sit on and use it as a tablecloth. To make the picnic special, focus on his preferences: make his favorite foods, bring beer instead of champagne and end the picnic by feeding him chocolate-dipped strawberries. If your date is into fishing, surprise him by packing a fishing pole and tackle; he'll be impressed that you remembered, particularly if you are not a fan of fishing.
  
  

Gift Basket

• Show your Valentine how well you know him by creating a gift basket tailored to his wants and needs. Include a special framed photograph, a batch of his favorite cookies or pastries, a homemade CD of the songs he's been wanting to buy or the book he hasn't been able to find. Add "love coupons" for treats like back massages, taking out the garbage or a special dinner.
  
  

Use Your Skills

• If you have a talent like singing, writing or painting, use it to make your Valentine a personal gift. Record a CD of songs using computer recording software; write a story, poem or a "100 Things I Love About You" tribute; or paint a picture for his office or bedroom. Put in time to make your gift the best possible example of your skills, and your date will be floored at the effort.
  
  

Scrapbook

• For men who don't run at the notion of sentimental gifts, make a scrapbook detailing your time together. Make it romantic or funny, or a combination of both. Include photos, ticket stubs, and significant items, like a leaf from the tree you first kissed under. Cut words out of magazines to add interest, and include a special love letter at the end to close out the book.