I LOVE YOU BECAUSE JAR Valentine’s 1Meaningful Gift
By Lindsayanne Brenner / February 2, 2025 / No Comments / DIY Tutorials, Easy Craft Projects, Holidays, Uncategorized
The “I Love You Because…” Jar: A Simple Yet Meaningful Valentine’s Day Craft

Looking for a heartfelt and creative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your family? This DIY love jar is a wonderful activity that fosters gratitude, strengthens family bonds, and adds a personal touch to the holiday. Whether you use it as a daily tradition or a thoughtful gift, this craft is sure to bring smiles and warm hearts!
For more DIY inspiration, check out Hawk Hill’s Art and DIY projects and Follow me on Pinterest! @CurlyLindsay.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials and Choose Your Jar
Before you begin, make sure you have all your supplies ready. You’ll need:


✔ A mason jar or any small container (you can reuse an empty jam jar or a cookie tin)
✔ Colored paper strips (cut from construction paper, scrapbook paper, or even index cards)
✔ Markers, pens, or colored pencils (gel pens, calligraphy markers, or metallic pens work great)
✔ Ribbon, twine, or lace for decoration
✔ Craft supplies (stickers, glitter, washi tape, heart-shaped cutouts, or anything you love)
💡 Pro Tip: If you want a more durable keepsake, consider using a small wooden box instead of a jar!
Step 2: Decorate the Jar – Add a Personal Touch!
The first step in making your jar extra special is decorating it. Here’s how:

- Wrap the rim of the jar with ribbon or twine and tie it into a bow for a festive touch. You can also use lace, fabric scraps, or washi tape for more texture.
- Create a label that says “I Love You Because…” and attach it to the jar. You can:
- Handwrite it on cardstock for a homemade feel.
- Print out a decorative label if you prefer a polished look.
- Use a chalkboard sticker and write with a white marker for a rustic style.
- Personalize it with decorations:
- Add heart stickers, glitter, or rhinestones.
- Use paint pens to draw small designs like hearts, stars, or swirls.
- If doing this with kids, let them add their handprints, drawings, or even thumbprint hearts for an extra sentimental touch.
- Optional: Paint the entire jar with acrylic paint or spray paint for a colorful finish!
Step 3: Cut and Prepare the Paper Strips
Now, it’s time to prepare the notes that will go inside your jar!

- Choose your paper: Use colored paper, scrapbook sheets, or even recycled gift wrap.
- Cut it into small strips:
- The ideal size is 1” x 3” (about the size of a fortune cookie slip).
- If you prefer larger notes, try 2” x 4” so there’s more room to write.
- Add decorative details:
- Use decorative-edged scissors to give the strips fun borders.
- Punch small heart or star shapes at the ends of each strip.
- Let kids doodle tiny drawings or stickers on them for extra flair.
Step 4: Write Your Heartfelt Messages
Now comes the most meaningful part—writing down all the reasons you love someone!

Encourage each family member to write personal and thoughtful notes. Here are some ideas to get started:
💖 For Parents to Kids:
- “I love you because you give the best bedtime snuggles.”
- “I love you because your laugh makes my day brighter.”
- “I love you because you always try your best.”
💖 For Kids to Parents:
- “I love you because you make my favorite pancakes.”
- “I love you because you read me bedtime stories.”
- “I love you because you take care of me when I’m sick.”
💖 For Couples:
- “I love you because you make me feel safe.”
- “I love you because of the little things you do, like making my coffee in the morning.”
- “I love you because you still dance with me in the kitchen.”
💖 For Friends or Siblings:
- “I love you because you always know how to cheer me up.”
- “I love you because you share your favorite snacks with me.”
- “I love you because we always have the best adventures together.”
💡 Pro Tip: If writing a lot of notes at once feels overwhelming, start with one note per day leading up to Valentine’s Day instead!
Step 5: Fill the Jar with Love
Once all your messages are written, it’s time to add them to the jar:
- Secure rolled notes with mini ribbons or heart stickers for an extra cute touch.
- Drop them into the jar one by one, mixing them up for a fun surprise each time one is pulled out.
- Optional: If you want to organize the notes, color-code them for different types of messages:
- Pink for sweet compliments
- Red for specific love messages
- White for unique things
💡 Alternative Idea: Add small trinkets like chocolate kisses or heart confetti inside the jar along with the notes!
Step 6: Decide How to Use Your Love Jar
Now that your jar is full, you can decide how you’d like to enjoy it:
- Daily Countdown: Pull out one note each day leading up to Valentine’s Day.
- Gift Idea: Give it to a loved one so they can read one message whenever they need a little boost of love.
- Family Tradition: Start a yearly Valentine’s tradition where everyone adds new notes to the jar over time.
- Memory Keepsake: Keep all the notes in a scrapbook to look back on in future years.
💡 Variation: Instead of keeping it just for Valentine’s Day, use the jar year-round and add new notes on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays!

Final Thoughts: Why This Love Jar is Perfect for Valentine’s Day
✔ Budget-Friendly: No need for expensive gifts—this meaningful idea costs little to nothing!
✔ A Keepsake to Cherish: Save the notes and reread them year after year.
✔ A Daily Reminder of Love: Whether for kids, parents, or partners, this jar spreads love in a simple yet powerful way.
So grab your supplies, gather your loved ones, and start filling your “I Love You Because…” jar with beautiful words that will last beyond Valentine’s Day! 💖
For more DIY inspiration, check out Hawk Hill’s Art and DIY projects and Follow me on Pinterest! @CurlyLindsay.