35 handmade Valentine card ideas

As our friend Hugh once said, 'If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that, love actually is, all around.' And he's not wrong, especially on Valentine's Day! If you want to show that special someone just how much you care about them, then a handmade Valentine 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. Alright, soppy stuff out of the way, it's time to get creating!

In this list, you'll find a multitude of exciting, romantic and amusing valentine card ideas from a wide range of trusted, and talented designers, plus a whole host of homemade Valentine's card tutorials from yours truly (Gathered). Browse through and find your favourites, then all that's left is to show off those crafty skills. The only thing we can't help with is what to write inside, we're afraid that's down to you. Roses are red, violets are blue... something like that, right?

If you're looking for more ways to spread the love this Valentine's Day, check out these fabulous Valentine's craft ideas, since you're making the card why not go the whole hog and make their present too?

If you're in need of some card making tools or want to step up your stash, we also can point you in the right direction for those too! Take a look at our best printer for card making, best die cutting machine and best glue gun round-ups for top advice from the experts. These will really take your card making to the next level. You could have more craft fun with our favourite card-making kits and heart template printables, too.

35 Homemade Valentine card ideas to make in 2023

Best homemade valentine card ideas

Easy pop-up bear homemade Valentine card

This cuddly card is simply the cutest way to say I love you, it is 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 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 valentines 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

DIY valentines cards

Choose from three gorgeous valentine card ideas and impress your loved one with a professional-looking card. Not only do these cards look great 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.

Find the DIY valentines cards from Gathered

Valentine card printables for card making

This one isn't a specific tutorial but you'll find lots of freebies to print at home ready for card making. So if you're more of a freestyle creator then this article might be for you! Find lots of gorgeous papers, fun decor and much more.

Find the Valentine card printables for card making from Gathered

Valentine 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 is 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 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 valentines 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 valentines 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 valentines card from Lovely Indeed

Funny homemade valentine 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 card printables on Our Hand Crafted Life

Rosebud cross stitch heart

We adore this beautiful cross stitch heart with subtly shaded roses and tendrils of rosebuds from Rhona Norrie and think it would make the most perfect valentines day card.

Find the Rosebud cross stitch heart on Gathered

Folding homemade valentines cards tutorial

Follow along with this super simple valentines 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 valentines 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 valentines cards tutorial from Crafts Box on YouTube

Surprise inside homemade valentines cards

Find out how to make a valentines card with this sweet tutorial from BHG, where they show you exactly how to put it together, plus provide a free template for you. One thing you need to decide is which sweet to put in the middle as the surprise!

Find the Surprise inside homemade valentines cards from BHG

Yellow monster homemade valentines 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 valentines 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 valentines 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 valentines 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 valentines cards from House Beautiful

Origami hearts valentines card

Put your origami skills to good use with these cool valentines 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 valentines 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

Valentine card making kits

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

Embossed Valentine card making kit

Create 4 pretty cards to top up your stash with this gorgeous kit which contains everything you'll need, comprising of a massive 34 pieces! Choose your favourite colours and get creative.

Buy the embossed Valentine card making kit from Etsy

Embroidered heart valentine 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

DIY valentine card making kit

This gorgeous card making kit contains enough materials to make five cards, so great for topping up your stash. They are suitable not only for valentines but for a number of occasions, we do love a versatile greetings card! Create beautiful bunches of flowers, a floral heart and a bumblebee candle.

Buy the DIY valentine card making kit from Etsy

Valentines card making kit

If you're looking for the classic hearts and red roses for this Valentine, this kit might just be for you! Bursting with glitter hearts, ribbons and rhinestones you'll be able to make some seriously glam handmade valentines cards. In the kit, you'll have enough cards to stock up your stash.

Buy the valentines card making kit from Etsy

Stitch your own handmade valentines cards kit

Create your very own handmade valentines cards with this eco-friendly card making kit. The kit contains everything you'll need to complete this project, which you should be able to complete in under an hour, so whoever said handmade has to mean time-consuming?

Buy the Stitch your own valentines card from Etsy

Katy Sue bear valentines card kit

Create your own adorable bear handmade valentines 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 valentines cards from Amazon

Childen's valentines card mix crafts

Get the little ones involved with these cheap and cheerful card making kits this Valentine's day! They'll find plenty of materials in the kit to create their very own unique handmade valentines cards.

Buy the Childen's valentines card mix crafts from Amazon

Stitchy valentines card making kit

Stitch your way to their heart with this sweet personalised valentines card kit. Receive the pre-printed card with your selected initials then you can stitch the heart however you like. The thread and needle are included in the kit too!

Buy the Stitchy valentines card making kit from Not on The Highstreet

Make your own scratch card valentines card

Say something special in your own words with these sweet scratch-off handmade valentines 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 valentines card from Not on The Highstreet

Lino carving valentines card set

Now, this kit is really taking your card making to the next level. Design, carve and print your own handmade valentines 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 valentines card set from Not on The Highstreet

After that, we should think you're really suitably loved up! And of course, prepared to woo your special someone. If you loved creating a special handmade valentines card, we have lots more inspiration for gifts, check out this fabulous round-up of the best valentines craft ideas, or these sweet valentine's day crochet ideas. Had just about enough of the soppy stuff? Try these fun crafts and get hooked on a new hobby, craft subscription box, paint by number kits or these fab rug making kits.