• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

February 8, 2017

Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day

Does anyone else feel like Valentine’s Day was created just to help break up the dreary winter? I always think of it as a mile marker along the way to Spring and today I have some fantastic Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day ideas to help make the holiday extra special for the ones you love.

If you are planning on staying in, why not make something sweet for your sweetheart. These recipes are so easy!

Nutella and Blackberry Hand Pies

Nutella and Blackberry Valentine's Day Hand Pies

 Decadent Chocolate Bark 

Decadent Valentine's Day Chocolate Bark from At The Picket Fence

 Chocolate and Pink Salt Dipping Spoons

Chocolate and Pink Salt Dipping Spoons and Mug from At The Picket Fence

 

Homemade gifts are the best, don’t you think? Here are some budget friendly ideas for showing your loved ones you care without breaking the bank.

Faux Wood Valentine’s Day Candles

Faux Wood Valentine's Day Candles from At The Picket Fence

DIY Love Mug

DIY Love Mug from At The Picket Fence

Chalkboard Love Word Search Puzzle

Valentine's Day chalkboard word search atthepicketfence.com

 

And of course we can’t leave out the kiddos! Here are some super cute and super thrifty ideas for making Valentine’s Day special for them.

Valentine’s Day Poppers

diy valentine's day poppers

Heart Applique Shirts

hanging heart shirts resized

Clay Heart Tags

Clay Heart Tag2 At the Picket Fence

And because you can never have enough thrifty inspiration, here are some more fabulous ideas from the Thrifty Style Team!

thrifty style team logo_namesREVISED

Every month we’re bringing you some of our favorite thrifty and budget friendly ideas and we hope you enjoy them.

An InLinkz Link-up

Thanks so much for meeting me at the fence today friends,

Vanessa signature

7 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Decorating, Desserts, Good Ideas, Holidays, Kids, Valentine's Day Tagged With: Valentine's Day, Valentines Day crafts

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « My Television Debut!
Next Post: A Sound Bite Faith »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    February 8, 2017 at 5:03 AM

    Great Valentine’s projects and recipe!….I love the felted heart shirts!!!

    Reply
  2. Bliss says

    February 8, 2017 at 5:48 AM

    I need some Valentines ideas. This year I was so thrifty that instead of buying chocolates in a cute heart I bought them in their regular white box because I got more candy for less money. I think I’ll at least go to the dollar store and buy a heart shaped plate!

    Reply
  3. laura says

    February 8, 2017 at 1:32 PM

    vanessa, you had me at chocolate bark! xoxo

    Reply
  4. Julie says

    February 8, 2017 at 4:03 PM

    Thank goodness for Valentine’s Day…I really do love decorating for it. I also enjoy the day because Rick is extra nice to me that day and I love watching him bring the girls their chocolate heart. These are are all such cute ideas, Vanessa…I want that pie. Thanks so much for being a part of our sweet team!

    Reply
  5. Mary Beth says

    February 8, 2017 at 4:14 PM

    I love your ideas….all of them! I saw your TV spot with those poppers and I think that is the cutest idea. So nice to be “hopping” with you. xo

    Reply
  6. kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says

    February 8, 2017 at 6:55 PM

    So many fantastic ideas, Vanessa! Love the clay heart the best…so simple but so sweet. Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite friends at the fence! 😉

    Reply
  7. Chanele says

    February 10, 2017 at 12:07 PM

    I totally agree. I feel like Valentine’s Day is the perfect Day to add some red and cheer to the gloomy winter days! Your Bark looks delicious!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic

    Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic
  • A New Podcast

    A New Podcast
  • Taking Decorating Thoughts Captive

    Taking Decorating Thoughts Captive
  • Kids Need Real Answers

    Kids Need Real Answers

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Making the Case for Heirlooms

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic March 21, 2026
  • A New Podcast March 21, 2026
  • An Autumn Home Tour October 9, 2025
  • How to Adapt Your Traditions as Your Kids Get Older December 13, 2024
  • Christmas Home Tour 2024 December 13, 2024

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
The first day of December and the first Sunday of The first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. As we enter into a month that can be filled with stress, anxiety, worry and even sadness, let us turn our hearts towards the ONE who came as the ultimate, undeserved gift. Because it’s all about Him. 

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Its that time of year again. I share this recipe e Its that time of year again. I share this recipe every November because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be ma It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be made on repeat for the next month and I’ve figured out the secret to getting the BEST flavor.

Want to know what it is? It’s all about being EXTRA! 

Take the base recipe up a notch by using a full stick of butter, extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and an extra 1/2 tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt.

I guarantee you’ll never go back!

You’re welcome. 😉🎄

#chexmix #chexmixupgrade
Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the w Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the week and I’m feeling especially grateful for the twinkling lights around my home which give me so much joy.

The great debate on social media over whether or not Christmas decorations should appear before Thanksgiving is one I just let roll on past me. Because I am so unbelievably thankful for this life, my family, my friends, this country, this home and most of all my Savior. 

Having my home all ready to welcome the next sacred season doesn’t take away one iota from my ability to express gratitude on the official day set aside each year where we do that collectively.

And when the last slice of turkey has been eaten and all of the leftovers put away, I’ll be over here ready to be fully present in the month of December and soak up every bit of it! 🦃🎄
IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures “ IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures

“My children have grown up seeing antique books on a coffee table, vintage toys in their bedrooms and even pieces of furniture that were all passed down from one generation to the next. But as my nest gets closer and closer to being empty, I’m keenly aware of the fact that many of these cherished items might not be as welcome in the homes of future generations.”

*Read the rest over at @cleartruthmedia*
All of my CTM articles are saved in my highlights
Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to “comment” to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was in 1998. I was a new bride and eager to impress them. It did not go well. Let’s just say there was a bit of a garbage disposal mishap. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

The peace we long for in our home begins with our hearts. If you want your home to feel more peaceful during the upcoming holiday season, I have five things to consider that will make that not only possible but predictable.

✨ Read the full article over at @club31women ✨

#club31women #wearethehomemakers
Here, in my little corner of social media, you won Here, in my little corner of social media, you won’t find a lot of unboxing of brand new items for Christmas. 

What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to “comment for the link”, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2026 At The Picket Fence