DIY 'Happiness Jar' Gift Idea for Valentine's Day

During times of isolation, gratitude has an important role to play in forming a more positive outlook, building hope, and increasing happiness through togetherness. I created my first Happiness Jar in Kindergarten for my mother to surprise her on Valentine's Day. 11 years later on the same day, this ritual has only grown stronger.

During a particularly challenging COVID-period in our family this past year, Happiness Jars are what brought us together every night, helped us press pause, and count our blessings. There is always something to look forward to, and this activity is great to build a stronger bond with people you value.

For this DIY activity, you will need

- an empty jar (mine are usually recycled cashew or pasta sauce jars)

- marker (to label jar and write messages)

- colored paper

- scissors

- additional decorative materials (colored tissue paper, glue, glitter, patterned handkerchiefs, pom-poms...)

1. Start off by labelling the jar to your preference

2. Cut colored paper to even strips. Along each strip, write compliments, messages of gratitude, or any other positive reflections.

3. Roll up the strips into tight coils and drop them in the jar

4. Optional: decorate the outside of the jar to your preference. I like using colored tissue paper to form hearts and pom-poms or colored paper along the rims.

Every once in a while, drop in your coils of positivity until your jar fills up enough and is ready to be gifted to the person you have dedicated your messages to. This virtual Valentine's Day, share the gift of kindness with your community!