Happy Friday: Homemade Man Crate for Valentine’s Day
Sent from reader, Tiphanie:
I just wanted to share this totally awesome Valentine’s day hack. My sis-n-law had told me about this website called ManCrates (basically a specialty place where u can get gift basket-like gifts for all the guys in your life) but with a twist as most of them are packaged in a wooden crate nailed shut.
My hubby is a “man’s man” and I was thrilled with the idea but when I saw the prices, I was very disappointed. I didn’t have $69-$99 to spend on a such small gift that didn’t contain very much anyway (mainly you are paying for an experience because gift items included are not anywhere near that value).
So I got creative and thought – I can make this! I went to Hobby Lobby on a reconnaissance mission. I found this hinged wooden box crate thing for $17.99 and used a 40% off coupon so it was $10.79 (it was actually a wooden Nursery block box but I pried off the wooden ABCs glued on the sides).
I stained it a little to give it a more weathered crate-like look and lined the interior with a black plastic trash bag. Dollar Tree had the mini crowbar and I added gifts to the inside – a new Fossil wallet, an AE leather belt, two new shirts rolled up, socks, some of my hubby’s faves- deluxe mixed nuts, specialty homemade Amish cheeses (no refrigeration required) and a few personal grooming things – like nail clippers, cologne body spray, etc.
After putting it all inside, I nailed the hinged top shut & attached the crowbar with a piece of duct tape. (Optional- u can stencil or sharpie words on sides if you want- to give it a more “crate-like” look).
So all in all, less than $ 12 for my “crate” ($10.79 for crate, $1 crowbar and I already had the nails and stain). The inside gifts can be personalized to your man and can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you like – I was very happy with how it turned out! can’t wait for hubby to open it on V-Day!
So I still got the experience of a “mancrate” without the expensive price of the real thing and way more stuff inside – so total win-win for me!!
HAPPY FRIDAY!
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