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.

Get creative with your Valentines this year. There are so many options available that are a little more artistic than your average greeting card. You can buy online at www.papercrave.com, or use the photos as inspiration for your own creation! Your missionary will appreciate the extra effort.

Get Creative!

This is a really fun idea, and you can use it multiple times over the course of a year. Just think of all the color combinations and cute messages you can come up with! The ordering process is very simple, too. Just visit the following site for directions:

http://www.mymms.com/customprint/?sc_cid=DR_LV1

A Simple Necklace Will Make Her Day!

Some Valentine’s Day gifts may seem a little obvious, but receiving a thoughtful present from a loved one is never cliche. An inexpensive heart pendant necklace is all it takes to make it Valentine’s Day all February long, and if the necklace is simple, she can wear it throughout her mission. Most importantly, she’ll feel the love coming from you!

Uplifting Music All Year Long

Though men may be difficult to shop for on Valentine’s Day, this CD by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is the perfect gift for anyone serving a mission. Filled with beautiful songs about love, this album not only fits in with a Valentine theme, but can also be enjoyed for the rest of the year.

Order the Album here

Mix Chips in, or Melt on Top!

Remember, sister missionaries will probably be excited about decorations, but elders probably won’t go to too  much trouble. One way to cater to both groups is by sending a Valentine’s Day breakfast-in-a-box. Very easy: measure out an appropriate amount of dry pancake mix (I love Krusteez brand), and include a ziplock bag full of chocolate chips. Mail with instructions on how much water to add. Even if the chocolate chips melt on the way, they can be broken up again and thrown into the batter. The result: delicious chocolate chip pancakes — a perfect Valentine’s Day breakfast! This delicious image comes from Amarand Agasi — thank you!