If you want to show special someone just how much you care about them, then a handmade Valentine's card will do just that. There are few things more special in life than a handmade gesture, knowing someone has put their time, effort and best of all their love into creating something just for you.
In this list, you'll find a multitude of exciting, romantic and amusing Valentine's card ideas from a wide range of trusted and talented designers, plus a whole host of homemade Valentine's card tutorials.
But we're not content with just card projects, you'll also find links to cards you can print at home, gifts to make for Valentine's Day, and even what to write in your Valentine's card. Read on to get inspired, or use these handy links to head straight to the section you're looking for:
- 25 Free DIY Valentine's day cards projects
- Free Valentine's day cards to print at home
- Free Valentine's Day colouring sheets
- Valentine's card message ideas
- DIY Valentine's gift ideas
- Valentine's craft ideas
- Valentine card making kits
25 free DIY Valentine's Day card ideas to show you care
Three free 3D DIY Valentine's cards
If you want to keep it simple yet thoughtful, make your own Valentine’s Day card. Not only do these cards look great but they are also interactive, meaning they have a secret hidden message. In the article, you'll find a step-by-step guide to creating each design, plus a video tutorial for the 3rd design.
Check out our 3D DIY Valentine’s card projects and create a super-special card this year.
Make our free puzzle to my heart cards
Does anything show you care quite like a homemade card? Use our beautiful free printable papers to create a sweet card for your partner this Valentine's Day. We've even included a free Love Letters Valentine's card tutorial so you can make the landscape card in this picture.
Find everything you need in our free Love Letters Valentine's card tutorial on Gathered.
Valentine's card with secret message
Make your cards extra special this year with Becky James' secret message card. She shows you how to make a DIY Valentines card that folds out to reveal a special handwritten message from you. Follow Becky's tutorial and video to make your own.
Learn how to make a DIY Valentines card with secret message with Gathered.
Roses and hearts cross stitch Valentine's card
This nostalgic card brings together a classic cross stitch combination: hearts and roses. Stitch this sentimental design to give to your loved one on Valentine's Day.
You can find the free roses and hearts cross stitch tutorial here on Gathered.
Make your own free Valentine's Day gift box
Conceal a message or a tiny gift inside this pretty little card gift box covered with patterned printable papers. Who can resist its charms?
Fold up this sweet box with our free Valentine’s box template on Gathered.
Get properly kitted out!
Pick up the best papercraft supplies with our roundup of the best die cutting machines and best glue guns with top advice from the experts.
Easy pop-up bear homemade Valentine's card idea
This cuddly card is simply the cutest way to say I love you. It's simple and fun to make too! All you'll need for this project is some card, glue and scissors and a whole lotta love.
This would be the ideal project to get the kids involved in if they want to make their own homemade Valentine card. There are two Valentine's card ideas to choose from, a fuzzy bear and a sweet kitty.
Find the pop-up bear homemade Valentine card from Red Ted Art.
Heart sewn homemade Valentine card ideas
Sew your own cards! This creative little project will certainly impress that special someone. Real Simple supply a free template that you can print at home, then all you'll need to do is sew your heart pattern. You'll find some lovely examples, but feel free to get creative with it!
Find the Heart sewn homemade Valentine card from Real Simple.
Newspaper heart homemade Valentine card
This super simple homemade Valentine's card is made up of just a few materials but that doesn't mean it's any less fabulous.
Using newspaper, twine and a bright red heart you'll create a rustic looking card full of character. Why not personalise the card with your loved one's name inside the heart?
Find the newspaper heart homemade Valentine card from Faking it Fabulous.
Crochet strawberry homemade Valentine card
We love this one berry much! You'll need to be familiar with crochet to take this one on, however, if you haven't tried crochet and would like to learn, this pattern could be a good starting place. Check out our guide to crochet, to start today.
This sweet strawberry and accompanying pun would make a wonderful card for your quirky other half. If you get the hang of it, there are plenty of other freebie patterns for you to have a go at over at Golden Lucy Crafts.
Find the Crochet strawberry homemade Valentine card tutorial from Golden Lucy Crafts.
Valentine's cross stitch patterns for card making
Have you tried cross stitch before? It's relaxing, fun and you can create some really fabulous designs. We have put together our favourite Valentine cross stitch patterns by a variety of talented designs, all available to download for free.
Once you've stitched up your favourite design, mount it on a card and you're ready to woo the one you love!
Find the Valentine cross stitch patterns for card making from Gathered.
'I'm nuts about you' cross stitch pattern for card making
You can give that special someone a giggle with this cute and nutty cross stitch card. Since it uses whole cross stitch only for the design itself and only a small amount of backstitch for the lettering, it's a perfect project for beginners, as you can complete it in a couple of evenings.
Check out our guide on how to cross stitch if you're new to the craft.
Find the I'm nuts about you cross stitch pattern for card making from Gathered.
You're just my type homemade Valentine card
Upcycle old scrabble tiles to create this thoughtful homemade Valentine's card, if you don't have any scrabble tiles to hand they can be easily found in any craft store or on Amazon.
Find the You're just my type homemade Valentine card from Real Simple.
3D heart card homemade Valentine card
Using the free template create this stand out 3d Valentine's card, you won't need any materials and you'll probably have most of it in your stash if you're a crafty person. The 3D aspect comes into play when you start layering the heart cutouts, choose your colour and get making.
Find the 3D heart card homemade Valentine card from Easy Peasy and Fun.
Yoda best Valentine's card
We all love a Star Wars nerd, celebrate them this valentines season with this cute Yoda valentine's card, the design is available to print for free over at Lovely Indeed and we do definitely think this design IS lovely indeed.
Choose your favourite coloured cardstock, print your Yoda and get cracking on your message (just make sure it has loads of Star Wars puns inside).
Find the Yoda best Valentine's card from Lovely Indeed.
Funny homemade Valentine's card printables
For the realists, and those who don't want to send a soppy or mushy message! These funny printables will make your other half laugh if you both share the same dry humour. Our personal favourite from the bunch is 'I'm not sick of you yet' - and who said romance was dead?
Find the funny homemade Valentine's card printables on Our Hand Crafted Life.
Folding homemade Valentine's cards tutorial
Follow along with this super simple Valentine's card video tutorial and create a beautiful folding card to surprise your loved one. It's really simple to make and you'll be able to personalise it with your own special message.
Watch the Folding homemade Valentine's cards tutorial from EezzyHacks on YouTube.
Floating pop up hearts homemade valentines cards tutorial
Impress your loved ones with this fancy floating card, it may look tricky but actually, it is quite simple once you've watched the video tutorial. You'll need some card stock and little paper hearts (either make them yourself or buy them from a craft store).
Find the Floating pop up hearts homemade Valentine's cards tutorial from Crafts Box on YouTube.
Yellow monster homemade Valentine's cards
Unleash your inner beast with this fun monster valentines card. This project would be perfect for kids who aren't into all that soppy stuff. Over at The Inspiration Edit, you'll find a free template to download and print your monster.
The wonderful thing about this is you can choose your favourite colours and how to decorate your monster, pink, green, polka dot? The possibilities are endless!
Find the yellow monster homemade Valentine's cards from The Inspiration Edit.
Heart bouquet homemade Valentine card
Keep it simple with this pretty pink heart bouquet card, you won't need a lot of materials for this one and most of which you might already have stashed away.
This is the perfect project if you want a last-minute Valentine's card. Head over to House Beautiful for the step-by-step guide.
Find the Heart bouquet homemade valentine card tutorial from House Beautiful.
Glittery hearts homemade Valentine's cards
Another fantastic tutorial from House Beautiful is this elegant sending love card featuring a miniature envelope with floating hearts. Find the easy to follow tutorial plus lots of other inspiration on the link below.
Find the glittery hearts homemade Valentine's cards from House Beautiful.
Origami hearts Valentine's card
Put your origami skills to good use with these cool Valentine's cards, if you've never tried your hand at origami this might be the place to start, creating a heart is straightforward. You'll find a tutorial over at Omiyage Blogs for those too!
Find the origami hearts Valentine's card tutorial from Omiyage Blogs.
Confetti Valentine card ideas
We love this creative and fun idea to create a special card with a confetti shaker. You can use up those old hole punch dots too! This project is great for beginners who want to make their cards extra special this year.
Find the confetti Valentine card tutorial from The Creative Place.
Simple hearts homemade Valentine card ideas
How gorgeous is this?! Plus it's very easy to make. You'll just need to create a heart stencil from some old junk mail, grab a toothbrush and flick paint to create the paint splatter hearts. This technique could be fabulous for loads of different designs too, one to keep in mind for other occasions.
Find the Simple hearts homemade Valentine card tutorial from The Postman's Knock.
No-sew felt homemade Valentine card
Make this sweet jigsaw heart card and impress your other half this Valentine's Day. All you will need is some card, glue and felt! You don't have to leave the card white either you could add extra decorations, paint it or even stick a photo on the inside!
Find the No-sew felt homemade Valentine card tutorial from Craft Bits.
Lollipop Valentine card ideas
Just when we thought Valentine's Day couldn't get any sweeter. Along came these fabulous flower lollipop cards. Certainly a twist on your usual Valentine card, and perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Find the lollipop valentines card tutorial from One Little Project.
With all my heart
If you fancy getting creative and designing your own Valentine's Day card, you might find our free heart template printables useful.
Free Valentine's Day cards to print at home
Even if you're not feeling particularly crafty, you can still make your own special Valentine's day card with one of these free printables. Taking the time to choose and print off one of these special cards is so much more personal than a shop-bought card.
You'll find a wide range of style of free printable Valentine's cards to choose from, including cute illustrations, stylish text designs and even some cards that you can easily customise with your own words or photos.
Plus, we've also included links to our huge library of Valentine's printable papers, which you can use to make your own papercraft cards or maybe even as wrapping paper for a special gift!
Check out our free Valentine's printables on Gathered.
Find your perfect printer
If your tech is in need of an update, take a look at our best printer for card making
Free Valentine's Day colouring sheets
If you're looking to keep the kids busy this Valentine's Day, or maybe even fancy doing a bit of colouring yourself, there's loads of free Valentine's Day colouring sheets to download and print.
We've rounded up a selection of Valentine's colouring pages, from simple ones for Children to more complex patterns to keep adults occupied – you could easily transform many of them into a Valentine's Day card.
Crack out the crayons with these free Valentine's Day colouring sheets on Gathered.
Valentine's card message ideas
Once you've found your favourite Valentine's day card, the next thing you need to do is think of the perfect message to write inside.
Finding the right words to express your feelings can be hard, especially if you're in a new relationship – you don't want to come on too strong, but equally you don't want to appear like you don't care. If you've been together forever, you might also find it hard to think of something new and unique year after year.
Well, we're here to help, so we've come up with plenty of sweet things you can write inside your cards.
Take a look at our what to write in a Valentine's card guide.
DIY Valentine's gift ideas
Why stop at just making your loved one a card this year? If you really want to spoil your Valentine, making them a special handmade gift is a great way to show them how much they mean to you.
We've rounded up a range of projects that would make great gifts for both men and women. You can choose to keep it all romantic with simple sewn hearts or a crochet brooch, or make a gift that they can use all year round such as tassel earrings or even a knitter beer bottle cosy!
Get inspired by our list of DIY Valentine's gift ideas on Gathered.
Valentine's craft ideas
If you can't get enough of Valentine's Day and want some extra cute crafting time, we've rounded up some fab projects to help you craft like cupid.
Whether you're making them as gifts, for the joy of making or even to decorate the house (perhaps to give your other half some hints), there's a project to help everyone feel a bit more romantic.
Check out these fabulous Valentine's craft ideas on Gathered.
Valentine card making kits
Fancy getting crafty for Valentine's but don't have any supplies? Here's five cute Valentine's card kits to help you impress this year.
Iris folding card making kit
Create pretty designs with this folding card making kit. If you've never tried iris folding before this is a fun chance to give it a go.
- Buy the Iris folding card making kit from Etsy
Embroidered heart Valentine's card ideas
Create this stitch masterpiece for someone special! You'll receive a pre-punched card and thread ready for you to stitch. You don't need any stitching experience as the kit comes with a helpful instruction guide.
- Buy the embroidered heart card from Etsy
Katy Sue bear Valentine's card kit
Create your own adorable bear handmade Valentine's cards with Katy Sue and these lovely kits. Not only are they perfect for Valentine's Day but also to top up your stash for all occasions.
- Buy the Katy Sue bear Valentine's cards from Amazon
Make your own scratch card Valentine's card
Say something special in your own words with these sweet scratch-off handmade Valentine's cards. If you want to give something unique this year, then this is the card for you!
You can choose a pre-printed message or write your own message for that special someone to reveal.
- Buy the make your own scratch card Valentine's card from Not on The High Street
Lino carving Valentine's card set
Now, this kit is really taking your card making to the next level. Design, carve and print your own handmade Valentine's cards this year. Not only is the gesture really thoughtful but you'll also be learning a new skill which will certainly take your cardmaking skills to new heights.
- Buy the lino carving Valentine's card set from Not on The High Street
Keep crafting all year round
You could have more craft fun on every occasion with our favourite card-making kits.
The best way to give your DIY Valentine's Day cards
After that, we should think you're really suitably loved up! And of course, prepared to woo your special someone with your handmade Valentine's Day card.
To really show off your handmade card, try putting it in a proper envelope, or if you really want to surprise your partner, try posting it to your home – they'll be ever so shocked when the postman delivers it!
Say it with (handmade) flowers
The classic accompaniment to a Valentine's card is of course a bouquet of flowers. Keep the crafting going and create a bloom that'll last forever with these paper flower tutorials on Gathered.
