Countdown to Valentine’s Day Calendar

We’re sharing a countdown to Valentine’s Day calendar that is so simple to create it can easily be customized to help friends, family members, and coworkers celebrate the big day.

In fact, the littles loved this idea so much, we recently decided to update this post and create one for our sweet rescue Piper too!

Countdown to Valentine’s Day Calendar Basics…

As you might have guessed, this DIY calendar is based on the Advent Calendar we use during the holidays. 

Each day, in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day we’ll have the littles perform a specific task or enjoy a small gift.

Most of the tasks are super easy such as…

• “Make heart-shaped cookies today,”
• “Wear red or pink to school today.”

While other tasks might take a bit more creativity such as…

• “Perform a random act of kindness today.”

The exciting thing about this countdown to Valentine’s Day calendar is that you can personalize each activity or gift based on the recipient’s age and interests. 

Here’s a look at all the details so your family can enjoy counting down to Valentine’s Day with a calendar like this too…

Valentine’s Day Calendar Supplies:

• Picture Frame
• Ribbon
• Staple Gun (optional)
• Staples (optional)
• Gift Bags
• Tags
• Heart Embellishments
• Clothespins
• Markers
• Tape
• Small Gifts, Candy, Treats

Valentine’s Day Calendar Steps:

Adding and Securing the Ribbon…

Gather your supplies and make sure your frame is free from dirt and debris.

Attach and secure a ribbon of your choice to the frame. 

You can see how we secured the ribbon in the gray frame in our Antique Picture Frame Advent Calendar post by using a staple gun and staples.

Depending on how heavy your gift bags are you can also secure the ribbon to the picture frame with knots. 

No matter what technique you choose, make sure the ribbon is completely secured to the picture frame.

I made the countdown to Valentine’s Day calendar both ways. And in my honest opinion, the frame with the staples seems to be more stable than the frame with the knots.

Creating the Activity and Gift Bags…

Once you have the frame finished, set it aside and start working on the activity/gift bags.

You’ll need to create and number 7-14 different gift tags and bags. This also means you’ll need 7-14 different Valentine’s Day-inspired ideas to place in each bag.

Activity and Gift Bag Ideas…

• Eat something red and pink at the same meal.
• Practice random acts of kindness today. (I put chocolate hugs and kisses in the gift bag that goes with this day.)
• Make your mom and dad a book telling them why you love them. Be sure to draw pictures and be creative. (I put a small heart-shaped book and stamps in the gift bag that goes with this day.)
• Share a compliment pencil with your besties, your teachers, or your brother today. (I put compliment pencils and Valentine’s Day-inspired erasers in the gift bag that goes with this day.)
• While your dad is busy ask your mom to help you sneak outside and decorate the inside of his truck. (I put different colored streamers and kisses in the bag that goes with this day.)
• Mail Nana a Valentine’s Day card.
• Decorate your bike for Valentine’s Day and lead the bike parade.
• Bake heart-shaped cookies today. (I put heart-shaped cookie cutters and different kinds of sprinkles in the gift bag that goes with this day.)
• Snuggle up with a soft blanket, pop some popcorn, make pink hot chocolate and watch your favorite Valentine’s Day movie.
• Take a relaxing bubble bath. (I put a bath bomb and a rubber duck in the bag that goes with this day.)
• Wear red or pink to school today.
• Invite Mimi and Popi to get ice cream or a Frosty today.
• Bring your teacher flowers to school today.
• Dress your best and take your mom out for a fun Valentine’s Day dinner.

Filling Each Gift Bag…

Once you have all your ideas in place, fill the gift bags with treats or activity cards.

Attaching the Gift Bags to the Ribbon…

Attach the activity tags and gift bags to the ribbon on your picture frame with clothespins.

Then step back and enjoy!

Important Things to Note…

Keep in mind, if you’re creating a countdown to Valentine’s Day calendar for friends or family members be sure to find out what their busiest days are. That way, you can make those days, light activity days. 

Prior planning is key!

In addition, I included a card explaining the purpose of the countdown to Valentine’s Day calendar to the littles so they wouldn’t be looking for candy every day.

One of my sisters is extremely conservative when it comes to sweets and the other is very conservative when it comes to “little junk.”

So, I tried my best to make it fun while respecting their individual lifestyles.

Also, it goes without saying if you have small children or mischievous pets, you’ll need to put the countdown to Valentine’s Day calendar in a safe place where they won’t be able to access it without adult supervision.

Speaking of pets and supervision…

Countdown to Valentine’s Day Pet Calendar…

To make this idea even easier you can pick up Valentine’s treat bags at places like Target or your favorite craft supply store.

Open the bag and place a dog treat or toy into each bag.

Place a number sticker onto store-bought gift tags.

Then close the bag and use a big sticker or piece of tape to hold the gift tag in place.

The back of our treat bags has a window which makes it really easy to remember what’s in the bag.

After you’ve finished filling each bag, set up your Countdown to Valentine’s Day Calendar for Pets display and enjoy!

Things to Keep in Mind…

Keep in mind, you’ll have to store these treat bags in a safe place away from mischievous pets. I had ours on a shelf in the pantry and within minutes Piper was scratching at the door because she could smell all the treats.

Another thing to keep in mind is, treats count as calories. So, if you have a dog that has special dietary restrictions you’ll need to factor that into their daily allowance.

We rotated treats and then toys for each day of Piper’s calendar.

Customizing Each Countdown to Valentine’s Day Calendar…

What we love about the countdown to Valentine’s Day calendar is how easily it can be customized for a wide variety of ages, interests, and busy lifestyles too.

Now is a great time to find Valentine-inspired treats or gifts if you don’t have them already. 

They don’t have to be anything expensive at all to make an impact.  We picked up most of these gifts at craft supply stores, dollar stores, and pet stores.

Let us know if you plan to countdown to Valentine’s Day and what treats are your favorites! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Other Valentine’s Day Posts to Enjoy:

Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift Guide (112 ideas to explore)

DIY Valentine’s Day Mailbox

Valentine’s Day Dessert Buffet

Many blessings,

CoCo