The Sweetest Fake-Out: DIY Valentines’ Candy Box (With Money Surprise!)
Valentine’s Day is here, which means love is in the air, flowers are overpriced, and chocolate boxes are taking over every store aisle like they own the place. But let’s be real—half of those chocolates taste like disappointment. You know the ones: the mystery nougat that nobody asked for, the suspiciously chewy caramel, and that one rogue cherry cordial that ruins your entire day.
So, instead of letting your loved ones suffer through mediocre chocolate roulette, why not replace the sweets with something everyone actually wants? That’s right—we’re stuffing these classic Valentine’s candy boxes with cold, hard cash.
Because nothing says “I love you” quite like ripping open a heart-shaped box expecting chocolate and finding straight-up dollar bills instead.
Here’s how to pull off this funny, slightly mischievous, and totally unforgettable Valentine’s DIY—perfect for kids, teens, partners, or anyone who deserves a little extra love (and cash) this year.
What You’ll Need
• A store-bought heart-shaped candy box (because we are not here to make one from scratch—this is a DIY, not a life’s mission).
• Some money (I used $1s and $5s, but if you’re feeling extra, throw in a $20 and watch their face light up).
• Optional: Tissue paper or cupcake liners (to make it look fancy).
• Optional: A handwritten note inside that says, “You’re worth more than bad chocolate.”
How to Make It (A Foolproof Plan for Maximum Chaos)
Step 1: Sacrifice the Chocolates
Open up that shiny, overpriced box of chocolates and gently remove the candies. (Or aggressively, if you’ve got some personal vendetta against them.) You now have two choices:
1. Eat the chocolates (except the weird jelly-filled ones). I’m currently doing 75 hard so I did NOT EAT THEM! 2 claps for me!
2. Save them for later to strategically leave in the breakroom at work and see who dares to eat them.
Step 2: Cash It Up
Roll up your bills and place them into the empty chocolate compartments. Want to add to the fun? Stick a note under one of them that says:
• “This is better than chocolate, trust me.”
• “Good for one Starbucks run—because caffeine is love.”
• “You’re rich! Just kidding, it’s five bucks.”
If you’re doing this for a spouse, you could also add a cheeky IOU, like:
• “Good for one chore-free day”
• “Redeem for control of the TV remote”
• “Date night on me (well, technically, also on you, because this is your money now).”
Step 3: Make It Look Legit
Once your cash is neatly placed inside, cover it with tissue paper or cupcake liners to add some flair. Bonus points if you tape one of the $5s to the lid so it pops out dramatically when they open it.
Step 4: Reseal & Gift It Like Nothing Happened
Now, put the lid back on, and BOOM—your fake-out Valentine’s candy box is ready to cause some harmless chaos.
Hand it to your person of choice with a straight face. Watch as they light up at the thought of chocolate, then immediately double-take when they see dollar bills instead.
Who Will Love This DIY?
• Kids & Teens: Because let’s be honest, they’d rather have money for snacks, Roblox, or whatever Gen Z is obsessed with right now.
• Your Partner: Especially if they always say, “Don’t get me anything for Valentine’s Day” (this technically isn’t “something,” right?).
• Friends or Coworkers: Nothing says “I tolerate you” like a heart-shaped box filled with $5 bills and sarcasm.
• Anyone Who Despises Bad Chocolate: This is a safe alternative to forcing them into the dark chocolate struggle.
Valentine’s Candy Ideas (For the Normal People Who Still Want Chocolate)
Okay, maybe you’re feeling generous and still want to include some actual good candy. If so, here are some approved options that won’t make people immediately regret their life choices:
• Lindor Truffles: Because they actually melt in your mouth instead of turning into a weird chewy situation.
• Reese’s Hearts: Because if someone doesn’t like peanut butter and chocolate, red flag.
• Ghirardelli Squares: Fancy, decadent, and makes it look like you put in effort.
• M&Ms or Skittles: Safe choices for the indecisive.
• Dove Chocolate: Smooth, creamy, and comes with motivational messages inside—so basically free therapy.
🔗 Shop my favorite Valentine’s candy picks here!
Why This DIY is Basically the Best Idea Ever
1. It’s Funny: Watching someone go through the five stages of grief over missing chocolate, then pure joy when they realize they just got free money? Priceless.
2. It’s Practical: Unlike a giant teddy bear that will collect dust, money always fits and never expires.
3. It’s Customizable: You can adjust the money amount based on how much you like the person.
4. It’s Easy: Literally takes five minutes, and you still look like a creative genius.
Other Fun Valentine’s Ideas You’ll Love
Since you’re clearly the type of person who likes to make holidays extra fun, check out my February Bucket List for more ideas to make this month even more festive.
Here are a few highlights:
✅ Make heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast (because cute food tastes better).
✅ Have a Galentine’s Day party and toast to friendship with mocktails.
✅ Go thrifting for a Valentine’s-themed outfit because red and pink are a vibe.
✅ Write Valentine’s cards to your besties because old-school traditions deserve a comeback.
(Click here for the full list!)
Final Thoughts (AKA Why You Should Absolutely Try This)
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations—you now have a Valentine’s Day trick up your sleeve that will make you the MVP of gift-giving. Whether you’re doing this for a partner, your kids, or just for the laughs, it’s guaranteed to be a surprise they’ll actually enjoy.
And hey, if you still feel bad about stealing their chocolate, just remember:
• You saved them from questionable nougat.
• Money is the universal love language.
• You’re the fun one now.
So go forth, replace chocolate with cash, and watch Valentine’s Day become way more exciting.
Tag me in your fun Valentine’s DIYs! Follow along on Instagram for more festive ideas.
XOXO, Ashton ❤️
