Hearts have long been a highly recognized symbol of love and Valentine’s 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 Valentine’s 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 cookie 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 cookie cutter.

Heart Sandwiches

Cut out heart sandwiches using a large heart cookie 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 9?12 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 cookie 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.

Sherrie Le Masurier is a lifestyle columnist, organizing consultant and a member of Professional Organizers in Canada. She offers up smart solutions for busy families via http://www.familysanitysavers.com - Copyright 2007.