Check out theses cuties from Veronica over at Life in the Thrifty Lane:

Valentine matchboxes! Check out her blog for full instructions. You could easily make several of these boxes and turn it into a Valentine countdown. Label the boxes with numbers and have the missionary open one each day until Valentine’s Day. Matchboxes are pretty small, but with a little creativity, you can find tiny treasures to tuck inside each one. A clipping of a photo? A handwritten note? A scripture? Mini candies? Confetti? The possibilities are tiny, but endless.

If you’re looking for a more personal gift for your missionary, check out Lily Gene on Etsy.  She does these cute prints of special places, and can even add little details like a postage ink-stamp of a particularly important date.  It’s all totally customizable!   With all the options she offers, there are several fun things you could do.  Either send the missionary a map of the country or state where he’s serving (what a great idea for a farewell or homecoming gift!), or send a print of his home state / country.  Lily Gene also has a “someone in _____ loves you” custom postcard and other ideas.  Lily Gene was featured in this month’s InStyle, so check out the shop before things get backed up! I can’t stop thinking about what a cute idea this is, not only for missionaries, but anyone!

Do I even need to convince you? How cute is this craft? And so simple! My one reservation would be using chocolate (see the Reese’s peanut butter cup earbuds?), but I’m sure it could be easily substituted for something that won’t melt, like starburst. Yes, the shape will be a little different, but it will translate. I first saw this featured on KellyAndNate, then found the original (with instructions) on FamilyFun.

This idea is pretty fun — an egg shaper!  You place it on your frying pan or skillet, and pour the egg into the middle.  It also works for pancakes.  This seems like it would be pretty easy and inexpensive to mail. What a fun way to do something creative for Valentine’s Day!  Find out more about this product, or order now, by clicking here.

Long time readers will remember my original 12 Days of Christmas post. Here are additional 12-Days-of-Christmas ideas from PinchingYourPennies, from LorriJoy4:

We have 2 missionaries out right now. One in Argentina and one in Tucson Arizona. I did find this idea about doing the 12 days of Christmas in a stocking. They have to read the scripture and try and figure out what is in the package before opening it.

Here are some ideas of scriptures…

Psalms 23:4 “thy rod and thy staff” – candy canes
Psalms 24:4 “clean hands” – soap
Matthew 15:11 “cometh out of the mouth” – mouthwash
1 Samuel 2:9 “keep the feet” – socks
Proverbs 10:7 “memory of the just” – writing tablet
D&C 89:16 “grain is good . . . fruit . . .” – granola bar, fruit rolls
Amos 4:6 “cleanness of teeth” – toothbrush
3 Nephi 28 “three Nephites” – 3 Musketeers bar
2 Nephi 3:12 “fruit” – fruit candy, fruit rolls
1 Nephi 8:26-27 “mocking” – Snickers bar
D&C 89:20 “run and not be weary” – nylons
1 Corinthians 13:11 “childish things” – yo-yo
Job 14:5 “his days are determined” – calendar
D&C 6:33 “ye sow” – needle & thread
D&C 9:8 “burn within you” – Rolaids or Tums
D&C 24:19 “prune my vineyard” – prunes or raisins
D&C 38:8 “let every man esteem his brother as himself” – picture of siblings
D&C 65:2 “gospel roll forth” – Tootsie roll
D&C 68:6 “be of good cheer” – Cheer detergent
D&C 84:79 “laborer is worthy of his hire” – Payday candy bar
D&C 84:88 “right hand and on your left” – hand lotion
D&C 88:124 “cease to sleep longer than is needful . . .” – Now & Later candy
D&C 89:16 “all grain” – granola bars, hot cereal packets
D&C 103:9 “saviors of men” – Life Savers
D&C 111:11 “wise as serpents” – gummy worms
Moses 1:22 “gnashing of teeth” – dental floss
1 Nephi 1:4 “commencement of the first year” – calendar
1 Nephi 19:16 “four quarters of the earth” – four quarters
2 Nephi 2:25 “that they might have joy” – Almond Joy
2 Nephi 18:1 “write in it with a man’s pen” – pen
2 Nephi 27:14 “words of the book” – journal, alphabet cereal or soup
2 Nephi 31:6-8 “like a dove . . .” – Dove soap
Mosiah 4:16 “succor those that stand in need” – suckers
Mosiah 14:5 “he was wounded” – Band-Aids
Alma 11:24 “puffed up in their hearts” – balloons
Alma 32:28 “a seed may be planted” – sunflower seeds
3 Nephi 14:5 “thou see clearly” – Murine, contact lens solutions
3 Nephi 17:21 “He wept” – Kleenex
Genesis 6:19 “two of every living creature” – animal crackers
Genesis 32:10 “for with my staff” – candy canes
1 Kings 10:18 “throne of ivory” – Ivory soap
Deuteronomy 8:4 “did thy foot swell” – socks, foot powder
Nehemiah 8:10 “eat the fat” – pork rinds
Job 34:31 “will not offend anymore” – certs or deodorant
Psalms 78:24 “corn of heaven” – candy corn or corn nuts
Proverbs 6:28 “hot coals” – red hots or suntan lotion
Proverbs 13:7 “yet hath great riches” – money or check
Proverbs 12:19 “lip of truth” – chapstick
Proverbs 25:25 “good news from afar” – stationery or stamps
Eccesiastis 3:1 “to every thing there is a season” – calendar or seasoning mix
Isaiah 48:21 “and they thirsted not”vcan or box of juice
Matthew 7:10 “or if he ask a fish” – tuna, Swedish fish, sardines
Luke 3:16 “not worthy to unloose” – shoelaces
Matthew 5:13 “salt of the earth” – salt shaker
1 Corinthians 10:3 “spiritual meat” – jerky
1 Corinthians 15:20 “first fruits” – fruit leather, can of fruit, etc.
2 Timothy 4:3 “having itching ears” – Q-tips

I know I just posted about a Christmas tree kit, but you have to admit, this is pretty awesome. Plus, boys (of all ages) are obsessed with legos. This would make a winning gift!

Order it here.