Hearts have long been a highly recognized symbol of love and Valentines Day. Red hearts in particular are an ancient symbol of love. This is due to the scientific fact that the human heart is known to beat more rapidly when excited. In ancient times, the heart was also thought to be the centre of emotion and love.
So whether it's Valentines Day or any other day of the year, a heart-shaped gift speaks volumes about how much you care. So dig out those heart cookie cutters and get creative.
If you're looking for a little inspiration here's some of my favorite 'cookie cutter' ways to say I love you 365 days a year:
I Love You Toast
Instead of ordinary toast, surprise your loved ones this Valentines day with their very own "I Love You" toast. Use a large cutter to cut the centre out of a slice of bread. Toast and then spread with strawberry or raspberry jam.
French Toast Hearts
For a twist on regular French toast, serve a heart-shaped version. Cut out the bread with a large cutter.
Heart Sandwiches
Cut out heart sandwiches using a large heart cutter. Or, for another great sandwich idea, spread strawberry jam on one slice of bread, then use a cookie cutter to cut a heart shape out of a second slice. When you put the two slices together you have a beautiful red heart jam sandwich.
Valentine Brownies
Make up your favorite brownie recipe but instead of cutting into small squares, use a heart cookie cutter. Enjoy all the little leftover pieces yourself - I won't tell the kids.
Fruit Gelatin Hearts
1/2 cup frozen strawberries (thawed)
4 envelopes gelatine, unflavored
2 cups of boiling water
1 can of frozen apple juice concentrate
Cooking spray
Use a blender to puree the strawberries. (Drain off any liquid first.) Set the strawberry puree aside. Pour the gelatin into a bowl and add two cups of boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Pour the strawberry puree into the liquid gelatin mixture. Blend well. Mix in a can of frozen apple juice concentrate. Oil a 9x12 inch pan with cooking spray. Pour in the mixture. Chill until firm. When firm, turn the pan upside down and cut out the gelatin using heart cookie cutters.
Heart Gift Wrap
Using a heart cutter, red paint and some white (or pink) paper you can make some beautiful heart gift wrap. Simply pour the paint in a shallow dish, dip in the cookie cutter and start making heart prints all over the paper. Once dry, use the paper to wrap up all your Valentines gifts.
Heart Garland
Trace out a few dozen hearts, cut them out and staple them together at the edges to make an impressive heart garland.