Heart-Shaped Crafts Guaranteed to Help You Share the Love on Valentine's Day

From the poetry of Shakespeare to the love songs of crooning pop stars, displays of affection are often wrapped up in words. One familiar symbol, however, requires little explanation: the heart.

Simple in its design, it sends a message loud and clear, no matter the intended sentiment—pulse-racing romance, family togetherness, or the tender bond between friends. Because the heart conveys emotion with such immediacy, the best and most meaningful modes of delivery can also be the least elaborate, with a welcome element of surprise. On Valentine's Day, with this ubiquitous icon as inspiration, there's a token, treat, or greeting suited to just about everyone. Make an intricately folded card for the beloved family matriarch or decorate cookies with amorous text-message phrases. Handmade cuff links will last for years, whereas a mouthwatering pie for the entire clan will be devoured, happily, in mere minutes. Even the household feline will have reason to purr with these knit catnip delights. Many of our projects are inspired by old-fashioned traditions of yesteryear from cards to gifts and other tokens of affection. One of our favorites? Puzzle purses—as they referred to antique-style valentines—were crafted for secret admirers and opened to reveal a written message inside. They're easily made with a quick fold of square paper and they are perfect for the traditional romantic at heart.

Try one of our beautiful ideas for anyone who needs a little love on February 14. Best of all, each offering will speak volumes, leaving the subtext to you.

These translucent hanging hearts are easy to make from waxed paper and crayons. In return, sunbeams will color your room with cheer.

With our printable templates and clip-art, you can say "I love you" with style. A quick print, cut, and crease is all it takes to make a card with a trio of hearts, lots of "LOVE" messages, or sweet old-fashioned "XOXOs."

Paper napkins—especially these ones in rosy hues—will have real beating hearts all aflutter when transformed into tabletop decorations. The repeated heart pattern is made with a quick fold and cut, then fanned out to reveal a connected chain of hearts—a metaphor that's perfectly suited to the holiday.

Make one: Position a square paper napkin so that the closed corner faces you. Fold the right corner toward the left corner and flatten, forming a triangle. Then fold the left corner toward the triangle's longest side and flatten, forming a narrower triangle. Using scissors, cut a convex arc from the triangle to create the top of half a heart. Cut off the bottom of the triangle from left to right to create the lower heart half, leaving at least 1/4 inch intact on right edge. (The left side of the triangle will be center of a heart.) Lastly, unfold.

Kids can make envelopes that turn into valentines with a few simple tools: scissors, wrapping paper, and a sticker.

On Valentine's Day or any occasion worthy of love: Cue smiles by tucking a few of these wooden hearts into unsuspecting lunch boxes or coat pockets, or dangling one from a doorknob or rearview mirror.

Packed with wool stuffing and a jingle bell, this toy will warm your kitten's heart.

Give your favorite bookworm a Valentine's Day gift they'll love using card stock and decorative paper.

Give a loved one's kitchen a charming touch with these warm and fuzzy heart-shaped pot holders made from our heart template, bias tape, and cotton.

What could be a sweeter surprise than one of these tokens—filled with candy—left hanging on a doorknob?

First, fold and unfold a square of plain or patterned lightweight card stock to score it. Fold the card stock in half vertically, and open. Fold it horizontally, and open. Draw two opposite corners of the square inward, tucking in the other two corners. Trace a heart. Slide the first fold behind the other, and hold in place. Then, use a hole punch to pierce both; thread a ribbon through, and tie it together. Fill both sides of the heart with candy (we like these white ones that correspond to the doily-patterned paper).