Alexandra Churchill

Now that you've found, made, or baked the ultimate Valentine's Day gift, it's time to wrap it. But before you place that perfect present in a simple box covered in red or pink paper, consider putting as much thought into its packaging. There are so many creative ways that you can incorporate classic Valentine's Day motifs—from roses and hearts to chocolate—into your gift wrapping and packaging. Take this elevated chocolate box, for example: Martha made massive paper bows in classic holiday colorways to make each assortment more special. The following ideas and how-tos do the same—and they're perfect finishing touches to those gifts for teachers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, and neighbors, too.

For Valentine's Days past, you once dutifully crafted hundreds of handmade cards as a student in school. And while you may not have classmates to impress anymore, it's still a cherished tradition. When it comes time to show how much you love and appreciate your significant other, friend, or family member, a card says it beautifully, especially when it's personalized to the recipient. We're making it even easier for you by providing the templates, clip-art, and heart-shaped inspiration you need for a Valentine's Day card. No matter what kind of love note you want to create (we're partial to this pleated iteration, with a love note penned on the back), the list of supplies doesn't vary much. You'll need card stock, scrapbook paper, and envelopes, as well as pens and pencils, scissors, a ruler, craft knife, cutting mat, tape, hole punch, and bone folder. With these items on hand, you'll be well on your way to making a Valentine's Day card that will truly melt your beloved's heart. 

Why wear your heart on your sleeve when you can display it on your wall? This Valentine's Day, spruce up your home with our best decorative ideas from pretty flower arrangements to romantic candle displays. Whether you're hosting an intimate dinner for two, a Galentine's Day party with all of your friends, or even spending a quiet afternoon at home while you're stamping out valentines by the dozen, these decoration ideas will inspire anyone who steps inside your house on Valentine's Day. Not only will these ideas impress guests, but you'll have everyone ready for the holiday of love well before it arrives.

Holding court at the center of the room, your bed has a presence that extends far beyond its four posts. But behind every stylish sleeping spot is a headboard that elevates an already eye-catching display of sheets and pillows. Although it's an often overlooked design element, a headboard is what ties your frame to the rest of your bedding. And you don't have to stray far to get one—the piece is simple enough to DIY. By tinkering with different colors and textures and even fashioning a custom piece or two, you can produce a headboard that awakens a room—even as it lulls you to sleep.

Learn about all of the different types of Christmas trees—including fir, cypress, and pine—and how to identify the best type for your home this holiday season.

Learn about all of the different types of Christmas trees—including fir, cypress, and pine—and how to identify the best type for your home this holiday season.

It's that time of year when everything comes full circle: We travel back to our hometowns, where old memories and traditions give way to new ones. And as guests arrive knocking on your front door, there's one beautiful way to welcome them: with a wreath. Ancient civilizations used wreaths, symbols of unbroken time, to celebrate special occasions. They were creative in their materials—using myrtle, ivy, even celery—and there is no reason you shouldn't be, as well. These days, wreaths can live throughout the year, bringing welcoming cheer to any decorated entrance hall, mantel, doorway, or garden gate. We display ours to better deck our halls, share end-of-year cheer, and to greet guests all season long. From rustic to radiant, here are our favorite holiday wreaths.

Friends and family always appreciate a gift that comes straight from the heart—especially during the holidays, when all of your loved ones have gathered under one roof to celebrate. You can certainly find personalized and unique gift options when shopping locally at specialty retailers or hunting down artisan works from online marketplaces, but a handmade gift lets your family and friends know that it's truly a labor of love; you've spent extra time thinking about what they'd like to receive this year and carved out time in your schedule to craft it.  While it may sound like a challenge to make a gift for everyone on your list, these ideas and how-tos are surprisingly simple, while being delightfully fun for your intended to receive. Designed to please anyone on your list—from in-laws and siblings to friends and kids—these handmade gifts are also made to last.

It may not have a fancy wine list or heirloom china, but, on Thanksgiving, the kids' table is definitely the best (and most entertaining) seat in the house. With that being said, it can also often become rambunctious as the little ones wait for their food to be served. When things start to get a little chaotic in the kid's corner, we have a simple solution: Thanksgiving crafts. From pumpkin pie garland and dolls made from cornhusks to homemade turkey hats and leaf-and-pasta necklaces, there are plenty of fuss-free DIY projects that will keep your youngsters happily occupied in the hours leading up to the big family feast. Want a seat at the best table this holiday season? Unfortunately, it's fully booked. But if you behave, the younger generation just might share their supply of fun craft supplies.

Here, you'll find a varied array of handcrafted ornaments—including a flock of cinnamon-scented birds, gilded baubles and wooden beads, and a flurry of snow-flecked paper cutouts—to fill your home with the holiday spirit.

Browse our most creative ideas for decorating Easter eggs that we've hatched over the year.

On October 31, transform into your chosen character with our spooky, dramatic, or shimmering Halloween makeup ideas. Before you create any makeup miracles, however, you'll need some basic supplies—stock up on cream makeup or grease paint, spirit gum or other adhesive, shadows, pencils, and powder. Before using any product, be sure you have the appropriate remover (some substances can be washed off with soap and water; others, such as spirit gum, call for special solvents). When you're ready to get started, always apply makeup to a clean face for smooth, even application—and use a light touch. "Stop before you think you've done enough," says Tim Considine of Direct Effects in Los Angeles; he has made a career of giving ordinary faces shocking, often gruesome, new looks. "You can always go back and apply more, but you'll have a lot more work removing makeup and starting over." And of course, enjoy the transformation—at the end of the night, you'll wash your face and be you again, at least for another year.

Wondering what to use as an Easter basket this year? We've rounded up some of our favorite ideas, plus the toys, trinkets, and candy you need to fill it.

Your entryway is brimming with Halloween décor potential—all you need is a little imagination. "Decorating the entrance of your home is a great way to greet guests with some Halloween spirit this season," says HomeGoods style expert Jenny Reimold. "It's a distinct area where you can get creative with color and different accessories." Of course, the door itself can lead to a world of mystery and magic inside. "Decorating your door for Halloween is unique in that you can be more playful—and dark and adventurous—than any other holiday," says interior designer Mel Bean. "Go for accent items that will make your doorway look slightly spookier than usual, without sacrificing too much style." Outfit your porch or entryway with beastly birds and oversize arachnids, then watch the neighborhood kids descend in droves. Looking for some more sleek, but scary ways to dress up your entry for All Hallows Eve? Delight trick-or-treaters and visitors alike with our Halloween door decorating ideas for wreaths, templates and clip-art, as well as pumpkins galore.

Wreaths add to the welcoming atmosphere of the fall season. So, use this time of year's warm colors, harvested earthy materials, and rich fragrances combine to craft a loop that lets your guests know just how happy you are to usher them into your home as the leaves turn. For a décor piece with seasonal longevity, choose a design that looks as good during the early days of fall as it does on Halloween night or Thanksgiving. Pine cones, corn husks, and dried foliage all make for a perfect transitional iteration. Fall leaves—in vibrant red, orange, and golden shades—can be used to inspire a design. And in the spirit of the harvest, instead of discarding corn husks, why not turn them into a pretty and rustic corn husk wreath ideal for your front door? For good measure, incorporate fragrant accents like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and dried herbs in your wreath to bring in the pleasant scents of the season, too.

Stepping out of your front door is all that it takes to realize the beauty of fall—colorful leaves, festive pumpkins and gourds, and colorful florals await those who do. As such, you'll want to decorate the exterior of your home to match. Before you begin decking out your front porch or stoop for Halloween, usher in the start of a new season by creating a DIY wreath instead. Using items found in your crafting toolbox, you can create unique wreaths that are indicative of the season. And while wreaths are a great way to style your home's entryway, you can also try adding a few seasonal plants to the space—they can be replaced with evergreen options when necessary—or get personal with a festive monogram. Ahead, we share our tips and tricks for putting together fall door décor that doesn't involve a trip to the crafts store.

There's a cozy knitting project here to suit everyone's skill level.

Once upon a fall day at our offices, a group of editors and staffers came together and hosted a pumpkin painting party—and the result is this colorful batch of pumpkins.

While you've likely perfected the toothy grin and triangular nose, odds are you haven't transformed your pumpkin into an owl or given it 3D googly eyes.

Browse our best projects, decorations, and pranks that will help you put together the ultimate Halloween candy display station.