16 DIY Valentine's Day Gifts He'll Actually Love

Valentine's Day is going to be here before you know it and that means you had better start thinking about what to give your hubby this year! It is, after all, what the greetings card companies would have you believe is the most romantic day of the year. Before you get out there and buy your man something like a gushy framed love quote that he'll never appreciate, put a little thought into it and get him something he'll actually like. It's a fact of life that men are way harder to shop for than women, so why not think outside the heart-shaped box this year and make him something?

A handmade gift is a great way to show your beau you really put thought and care into his gift. You can't just make him any old thing though — it has to be something awesome that he will truly enjoy. As a member of the male species who has received both good and bad Valentine's Day gifts, I can assure you that the following 12 gifts are all awesome.

1. Etched Mugs

Custom etching a mug is much easier than you think! All you need is a glass mug, some sellotape, a stencil, an X-Acto knife, and a bottle of Armour Etch. Cover your mug in a large strip of tape and then place your stencil over it. Use your Xacto knife to cut the outline and then peel away the tape from your pattern. Apply your Armour Etch and after 20-30 minutes, rinse it off and peel off the remaining tape. Your mug will now be etched!

2. I Heart Pizza

A simple small heart-shaped cookie cutter is all you need to customize your pepperoni pizza into a heart-lover's pizza. Bacon roses make the perfect garnish for this pizza pie!

3. The Sweet Stuff

If your guy prefers to drink his sugar, fill a heart-shaped tin up with mini booze bottles for a gift he'll really love. Plus, it gives you an excuse to eat a whole tin of chocolates in order to make room for the liquor!

4. Be a Control Freak

Over the years, Nintendo has played a crucial part of many men's lives. Buying some old controllers and putting them in a shadowbox makes a great display piece in any gaming room or man cave. Just don't take the controllers that he still uses!

5. Bacon Roses

The way to a man's heart is through his arteries... literally! To make your own bacon roses, roll up strips of bacon and hold them together with toothpicks. Bake them on a grated sheet for 20-30 minutes at 400 degrees. Be sure to keep a baking sheet underneath the bacon to catch the oil drippings. While your bacon bakes, pop the roses off of some plastic flowers. When your meaty man-flowers are done, pop them onto your flowerless stems and present them to your beloved for a beautiful and delicious snack.

6. Make Him Feel Young Again

Remember what it was like to be young? The most romantic gift you could receive was a cheesy mix CD full of trite love songs. Mix CDs may be cheesy, but they're still a great way to show you care! Surprise your man by making him a CD full of all your favorite love tunes and guilty pleasure anthems

7. Engraved Candle

Okay, so this one may be a little cutesie, but there's no denying this engraved candle is downright adorable. All you need is a gold leaf pen and a linoleum carver. A small screwdriver or cuticle remover will also work. May this candle be a reminder of your endlessly burning love.

8. "Open When" Letters

This gift is particularly good if you're doing long distance, but even if you and bae see each on the regular, "open when" letters are a romantic and thoughtful gift. Keep it interesting by including funny photos in a letter that's meant to be opened on a bad day — or sexy photos for when he's bored. ;)

9. Beer Brownies

Beer = good. Brownies = good. Beer + brownies = the best Valentine's gift ever. Adding a little bit of stout to the mix makes these brownies extra moist and flavorful.

10. Cheap Date Jar

Your guy won't have to struggle to read your mind next time you're battling over date night with this custom jar-o-dates. You won't ever have to worry about coming up blank on your night out again! Make the date options simple and affordable so that you can do one spontaneously with minimal prep. Things like getting a bottle of wine and going for a hilltop drink at sunset are nice options.

11. Action Figure Display Case

Boys like toys. If your man's second love (behind you, of course) is his action figures, why not show his toys some love? This simple display case was made by screwing together some cheap lumber, applying a coat of paint, and then installing some fairy lights behind the pulp board back of the case.

12. A Naughty Card

This simple card is a sure way to turn up the heat this Valentine's Day. Cut a nice, buxom shape out of a piece of card and then glue some skimpy fabric undies on. Finish by accenting it with lace and a red lipstick smooch. Rawr!

13. Custom Love Brews

I'll let you in on a little secret that we men keep to ourselves: alcohol is ALWAYS a good gift. Give your hubby's favorite beers a Valentine's Day makeover by painting some card stock with cute lines and puffy paint art. Then, glue the card stock to your beer bottles over the labels. Instant gift win.

14. DIY Beard Oil

Men love their beards. Show some love to that face warmer by making your own nourishing and aromatic beard oils. Get a few dropper bottles and then mix essential oils to make your own signature blend. Include things like jojoba oil, peppermint oil, almond oil, or citrus oils. You can find some winning blends here if you're not sure where to start.

15. Make Him Work For It

Guys love a chase. Put together a playful scavenger hunt for him that will take him on an adventure. The clues can lead to one final item, or you can leave small items with each clue that go together in the end.

16. Lego of Your Heart

All guys are secretly just little boys who want to play with Lego all day. Get a couple of those Lego pieces with the rounded edge and the hole in the top and run some silver chains through them. Make one for yourself and one for him — when you connect the two, you'll create a heart. D'awww!