Valentine’s Day is this weekend. Do you have your gifts ready? If not, here is a fun idea that I started doing for my boys many, many years ago.

Love Buckets! I started with white paint buckets, you can buy them at Walmart for around $2, then I used a bottle of paint, the kind you can use on fabric, to write their name on the bucket. Then using rubber stamps and paint, I randomly painted XOXO’s, lips and hearts on the bucket.
Then, fill it with everything that your special sweetie loves. You can buy toys and candy, or even head to the Dollar Store for some small items. A card game, book or puzzle are great ideas too.
I have done both, typically buying a small toy and candy. My oldest son, collects Pez, so I usually include a new Pez dispenser or two. My middle son likes sports, some gifts I have bought for him are new baseballs, or a sports magazine. My youngest son loves trading cards and books.
When they were younger, I cut hearts out of construction paper and wrote some heartfelt words on them like…
- You are perfect
- Love is sweet
- You are so cute
- I love you to the Moon and back
- I’m proud of you
- You are the best
- You’re #1
- You are a GREAT kid
- Smile
- I love you
The list goes on.
I used 3 different colors, then laid them out on the floor to lead to the bucket.

Last week I hosted my first Valentine Linky Party. It was so much fun! I loved seeing all the awesome Valentine ideas and yummy treats! I was thrilled to have 32 bloggers link up and also have 45 comments. Thanks to everyone who entered. If you missed it, please take a minute to visit some of the great posts, the ideas can very easily be used for other holidays, as well as Valentine’s Day (you still have a few days left)
And the winners are…
Congrats to all the winners! Please email me your address so I can have the goodies sent to you.
This post linked to:
~Friday Linky hosted by The Inspired Room
~Show and Tell hosted by My Romantic Home
~Finer Things Friday hosted by The Finer Things in Life
~Transformation Thursday hosted by The Shabby Chic Cottage
~Crafty Thursday hosted by Life as Lori
~DIY Day hosted by A Soft Place to Land
~Works For Me Wednesday hosted by We Are THAT Family























I love little things like this. Thanks for the ideas!
YIPPEE!!! I’m so excited to win. Thanks
.-= Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com}´s last blog ..topped with a kiss =-.
These baskets are adorable! I’m such a dork and forgot to link my post to your giveaway. I was just thinking tonight that I needed to get my boyfriend a Valentine’s Day gift and this little basket idea would be great
He will love it!
.-= Nutmeg Nanny´s last blog ..Fresh Raspberry Marzipan Truffles =-.
Cool! Thanks for the win!!
I love that bucket idea!!
Nice job on the buckets!
.-= Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage´s last blog ..Decorative Ball — using what I have =-.
So cute, and I love the paper hearts leading to the bucket!
I love the idea of Love Buckets! Thank you!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Kitchen Organization – Kid Style =-.
I love the heart trail to the bucket. And all your little sayings are super sweet!
~ Emily N. from “too Blessed to Stress”
What a cute idea! So far my kids haven’t gotten valentine’s treats – the oldest is just 4 – but this looks like a fun tradition to start! I love the cut out hearts to find the buckets.
what a cute idea!
aww that is very sweet, love the name, love buckets!
What a cute idea!
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Little Miss Perfect =-.
What a fun idea! I didn’t get as creative with my kid’s V-day gifts this year…maybe next year! I saw your link on Get Your Craft on Thursday, what a fun site!
.-= brandy´s last blog ..Snow Sundaes! =-.
This is a super sweet idea. Love it!
What an adorable idea!
.-= Melissa Multitasking Mama´s last blog ..Organized Grocery Shopping =-.
@Melissa Multitasking Mama, Thanks so much, I’m so glad you like it! Thanks for stopping by!
~Liz
fun idea. i need to make my hubby a little bucket of goodies.
stop by my goodwill goodies blog party every wednesday!
aww that’s so cute.
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..A New Q & A =-.
What a sweet idea. I love the hearts you put on the floor for your boys to find the bucket…
Thanks for joining me for another great party at “Get Your Craft on Thurs.” Please join me next week for another wonderful party..
Please stop by for a big annoucement Tuesday, 16th. I’m so excited I’m about to bust…
That really was a sweet idea!!~ I have time capsules for my boys and I wrote them letters that they can open on their 16th birthdays…funny I totally forgot what I wrote and can’t wait( well yes I can) for them to open them. Thanks for sharing!!~
.-= debbie´s last blog ..Tablescape Thursday hosted by SuSan from Between Naps on the Porch =-.
@debbie, What a great idea! Love it! Thanks for stopping by!
~Liz
Great idea, love it!
God’s blessings,
Sarah
I just love the name of it all….Love Bucket!!
What a great project. For young AND old!!
My Show N Tell is HERE if you find time to stop by for a visit.
Happy Valentine’s Day Weekend!!
.-= Hootin’ Anni´s last blog ..Poetry in notion…. =-.
That is a great idea! I’m sure they will fondly remember their Valentine buckets one day when they are all grown up!!!
.-= Cindy~My Romantic Home´s last blog ..Show and Tell Friday =-.
Cute idea! Those look a lot like our Easter buckets.
.-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Finer Things Friday: 47 Kisses and a Clean House =-.
I like these a lot. These are kind of like Easter baskets, but how fun to give your kids this kind of treat now, right in the middle of winter! Great!
Such a sweet idea. Valentin’s Day is so special for kids…
What a cute idea! I used to do stuff like that for my boys when they were little.
~ Tracy
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..Show & Tell Friday – Friday Dose of Cuteness and Thrifty Finds =-.
I love to see things like this. They are so fun and appreciated!
.-= Diann @ The Thrifty Groove´s last blog ..Valentine Blog Parties and More! =-.
I love this idea! What a fun way to celebrate each child and to let them know you care about the things that they like! Thanks for sharing.