ReadyMade: Instructions for everyday life

Customize Your Valentine

by Ellen Lupton

Photos by Maren Caruso

Spare your sweetie the heart-shaped box and try one of these nifty ways to express your affection.

1. Hot Tin Boxes
Those curiously strong metal boxes are too cool to toss. Festoon a few with your own imagery by printing graphics on sticker paper, then tuck romantic notes inside.

2. Edible Scrapbook
Paste a photo of you and your s.o. on (or inside) a candy box. To further personalize the package, dip into your collection of ribbon, buttons, and ornamental doodads.

3. Slap on a New Slogan
It’s always fun to spoof familiar brands. Buy some classics and measure the wrapper or box. Re-create the logo with your favorite graphics software and print on sticker paper. Turn M&M’s into “Me&U’s”; convert Almond Joy into “All My Joy”; make Good & Plenty into “Good Love & Plenty of It.”

No time to create your own labels? Download and print ours:
‘All My Joy’ (Almond Joy bar)
‘Crush’ (Crunch bar)
‘Good Love & Plenty of It’ (Good & Plenty)
‘Je T’aime: Curiously Strong Love’ (Altoids)

4. Beyond Valentine’s Day
Designing your own wedding, baby shower, or book launch? Apply thematic elements to a simple design that’s easy to print out in multiples and wrap around bars of candy.