Innovative Ways to Rescue Perishable Valentine’s Gifts

For Valentine's Day, you most likely received more Made in Montana chocolate, candy, and other edibles than you could possibly consume in a year. Not to mention gorgeous roses, carnations, and other floral annuals and perennials reminiscent of love and other VDAY emotions. So, now comes the part of what to do with these perishable items once they expire! My mindset on this topic is about practicality and nothing more, even though my take on it comes off a bit "Ebenezer-ish" (continued...)

To be clear, I don't consider myself a "complete" holiday Scrooge, premised on the fact that I willingly admired and kept my Christmas tree intact far into the second week of January. Lol. So, my thought of playing "candy and flower clean-up" after Valentine's Day comes more from a perspective of "cool and innovative" things to do with these divine treats and gifts of sentimental value. See, there it is. Now, I'm more in line with a "what would Martha Stewart do" approach! (In the kitchen, not the stock market). Anyway, let the DIY projects begin.

After you've inhaled more chocolate and candy than you can stand, incorporate them into cookie and cake recipes for your kiddo's classmates, school functions, or as a housewarming gift for friends and relatives that still talk to you. As for those beautiful roses your sweetheart gave you for Valentine's Day, when they are about to lose their luster, take each flower and hang them upside down on a hanger with either floral tape, string, or clothes pins wrapped around the stem of the flower and the hanger. Allow them to dry upside down on the hangers for a few days. From there, take the newly created "dried flowers" off the hangers and arrange them in a vase. You can also dip or brush them with lacquer or epoxy (dry overnight in a can or glass) to create a bouquet in an antique kettle or other hip contraptions for display. The possibilities are endless, as many people also like to press Valentine's flowers between books as keepsakes. Use your imagination with other Valentine's gifts or any perishable presents you receive throughout the year. ...And why? Because you're one creative DIY influencer and don't forget it!

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