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.

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!

Create Your Own Decorations

There is no right way to “heart attack” someone for Valentine’s Day. These hanging hearts are simple and fun: all you need is pink and red paper and several lengths of string. Or apply the hearts horizontally on one longer piece of string for quick and easy decoration in the missionary’s apartment. Other items you can mail include heart-shaped confetti, Valentine candies, paper plates and napkins, doilies, and hand-written notes.

Send Some Love!

My cousin loved this! One Valentine’s Day, I sent her cookie cutters, just-add-water sugar cookie mix, pink frosting, sprinkles, and a few plastic knives, and she and her fellow sister missionaries actually made them! Make sure you get a very simple mix, and maybe double check to see if your missionary has a cookie sheet, or even an oven in their apartment! If not, you can always send pre-packaged Valentine cookies! This beautiful image comes from My Flour Garden — thank you!