Creative Thursday: Coupon Book

As this time of year comes around, there are quite a few birthdays between my family and friends.  For the month of May: my boyfriend, my brother, and my best friend.  Through many gift givings of my own, hand-made gifts have been the best way to make someone feel special.  I've given many hand-made cards and gifts over the years and it never seize to amaze me when you get the feeling, your hand-made gift pretty much tops many of the other wonderful gifts that they received for their special day.  Giving gifts is just as fun as receiving them.  This year, for my boyfriend, I went with a hand-made coupon book, which pretty much covers: thoughtful, meaningful, useful, in addition to letting him know how much I love and appreciate him.  

Back cover

 All you need is:

pattern paper/cardstock

white paper

color pencils

twine/string

hole punch

Cut the coupons to the size of your choice (I did mine 2.5x5 in)

 Use color pencils/markers to write and decorate each coupon.  I made a total of 36 different things.  Originally, I wrote only the words like 'good for a 30 minute back rub'.  Along the way, I decided to add little illustrations and pictures because I wanted it to be more than just a coupon book.  Eventually, as I collect each coupon, I want to use them on scrapbook pages, they make wonderful memory page embellishments.

To make the cover, cut one long strip of pattern paper enough to go around the entire stack of coupons, with an extra 1/2 inch to tuck the cover into itself, like a matchbook.  Stack the coupons and wrap the pattern strip around the coupons.  Fold creases on the pattern strip so that the coupons fits nice and snug against the cover.  Then hole punch, loop, tie a knot and bow to secure.  I used stamps to add little messages of love to the front, inside, and back cover.

For many years now, out of the blues, my boyfriend would say "why do you love me?"  I really do suck at self-expressing.  Most times I want to put how I feel elegantly into words.  I love him for many reasons, and when he ask out of the blues I can never think of the right words to say at the moment.  I always end up saying the same things I have been saying for 11 years, and I always feel it just isn't enough to tell him how much I truly love the person he is.  So I thought for his birthday I would find a way to tell him.

So... I used a spool of twine and went around the entire living area, to the dining room, to the kitchen and ended in the living room where we spend most of our time.  I followed along the walls, letting the string hang from the clock, the picture frames, to the chandelier, the door hinges and knobs, across the cupboards, along the the stairway, across the window curtains, just following the layout of our home. 

Since boyfriend was still at work, I wanted this to be the first thing he saw when he open the front door, so I made sure I stuck the first one at eye level ; )

He was the first boy to ever open any door for me.  I was 16, and thought no body in real life ever really does that right?  But it was as natural as breathing.  He does it now for anyone and everyone, even strangers, and I think that's what I love most about him, that he can do things so naturally and effortlessly, a simple gesture, yet genuine... and think nothing of it.  I'm 27 years old now, and I still wonder if he'll still open doors when we're 70 hahaha -_-

I don't know anyone who smiles as much as he does.  His smile is infectious and his laugh is contagious.  And I'm so glad I'm not the only one who think so.  It's a wonderful feeling when friends, family and even strangers tell you that he is a good man.

I wrote 50+ little notes.  Honestly, once you sit down with a pen, a pad of paper and your thoughts, you can write forever and not realize that you're up to 100.

After I finished decorating the house with a long string of love notes, I made sure he came home to a nice home-cooked meal.  I placed the coupon book right next to his plate where he was sure to see it.  I couldn't help but just smile at him as he smiled and laughed at my messages and doodles and the utterly organized chaos I have created in our home.  I wish I could have captured a photo of the entire thing, it felt so whimsical and playful.

Towards the end of the night, as I was starting to take the string of notes down, boyfriend said, "what are you doing?"  I turned to him, "I'm taking down the notes..." and he said "Why?"  I just laughed, "Because we can't leave it up forever."  So, I decided to leave them up for the rest of the weekend, and had them down by Monday.  I gather all the notes and placed them in an envelop for keepsake. 

No need to spend a lot of money to give a thoughtful gift.  A simple gesture and just a bit of time and effort will win their hearts every time.  Get creative.

When you say "I love you" to your guy and he says '"why do you love me?", what do you tell him?