DIY Thursdays: Easy and Inexpensive Valentine’s Day Treat for your Co-Workers, Kid’s Class, or That Special Someone

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and most people are still recovering from the spending that they did during the holiday season. So to help you celebrate the holiday of love on a budget, we have the perfect sweet treat that you can give out to co-workers, friends, kids, or that special someone in your life.

For less than $10, you can make your own special gifts for everyone that you love.

Ingredients:

• Pretzel rods

• Chocolate chips (or cherry chips which can be found in the same isle of the grocery store)

• Pink decorative sugar crystal sprinkles

• Waxed paper

• Decorative Gift bags

• A glass cup or container

Directions:

1. Lay out a piece of waxed paper, put the chips in a glass cup/container, and place the sugar sprinkles on a plate.

2. Place the glass cup/container filled with the chips in the microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Then take the glass out of the microwave and stir. Place the cup back in the container for an additional 2 minutes and 30 seconds at 50% power. Then take out and stir again.

3. Dip the pretzel rod into your melted chips, swirl the rod around the side of the glass to create an even coating. Make sure to get the excess off.

4. As soon as you can covered the portion of the pretzel rod that you want covered in melted chips, roll it around in the sugar sprinkles and make sure that all of the melted chips have been covered.

5. Place coated rods on the waxed paper and let it harden.

6. For faster results, once the rods have been coasted with melted chips and the sugar sprinkles, place them in the fridge or freezer

7. Place the desired amount of finished pretzel rods in a gift bag. Close the bag. And that’s it.

Your pockets and friends will definitely thank you later.

Jessica Williams is Consolidated Credit’s Marketing Communications New Media Coordinator. As a member of the education team, Jessica focuses on helping consumers make better financial decisions while living debt-free. She has previously worked with Take Stock In Children, where she was a mentor and communications specialist, and SouthPromo.com, where she managed community relations, event planning, marketing, and public relations. Jessica attended both the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida where she received her B.S. in Interpersonal/Organizational Communications and Marketing. Connect with Jessica on Google+.