Three couples are going to win Valentine’s Day 2013 weddings at the Empire State Building. Weddings planned by Preston Bailey. Will you be one of them?

If you’ve got a compelling love story and the idea of getting hitched at this famous NY landmark with Preston Bailey as your wedding designer sounds amazing – get ready to fire up your video camera!

To enter, submit your love story via Facebook, detailing your dream to get married in the Empire State Building with Preston Bailey as your wedding designer.

All videos must be submitted by January 11, 2013. Both the entrant and his/her bride or groom must be legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and 18 years of age or older.

Winners will be chosen on or about January 18^th, 2013.

Go on! Enter the Empire State Building and Preston Bailey Valentine’s Day  “Love is in the Air” contest and make this your best Valentine’s Day ever!

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If you are looking for a gift that won’t end up on a dusty shelf or at the back of a closet, make an edible gift!

Instead of braving the cold to go shopping, you can stay inside, turn on some Christmas music and unwind by baking, preserving and packaging homemade edible gifts.

Many of the DIY wedding favors that we’ve featured on IW would make perfect gifts for the holidays – or any time of year.

Here are 22 of our favorites:

Baked goods in jars:

Mason jars are always a neat vessel for any treat or present–and they’re not hard to find in bulk. When you’re gifting something edible, make sure you include a recipe label or tag, so your recipient knows what’s inside or in case of any allergies.

For neat individual servings, try baking breads, muffins and cupcakes right in the jar. You can put them directly in the oven to bake  and after they’re cooled, wrap them with fabric, ribbon and twine for decoration.

Check out how to make banana bread in a jar with this tutorial.

Here’s an idea for avoiding the holiday mall crowds or stressing over shopping: make homemade gifts this year instead. You could save some money and your gifts will have a charming personal touch. Buy all of your supplies in bulk and make one of these holiday gifts for everyone on your list. That means no shopping stress and more time for enjoying those special holiday moments. Any of these gift ideas would also make fabulous wedding favors!

Scented/bath gifts

Relax and unwind from holiday stress with some homemade bath and beauty products. Some of these ideas use products you may have around the house anyway and you can have fun with creating different colors and scents for each recipient.

Check out this tutorial for making your own bath salts.

Elaborate weddings are not for everyone. Some brides want a private, romantic ceremony with only their closest family and friends present. And some couples even choose to elope, not wanting the the expense or pressure of a traditional wedding.

Finding a venue for an intimate wedding can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you’re not set on a courthouse or formal setting. But some venues are catering to busy, non-traditional couples who still want a special celebration.

Le Chatelet–located about 90 minutes from New York City and Philadelphia–specializes in “elegant elopements” and small weddings. Nestled in 16 acres of the Delaware Valley, the scenic French manor is available for intimate and personalized celebrations whether you’re looking for a cozy indoor, garden or outdoor wedding.

Begin the day outside with vows in the Victoria gazebo and garden and terrace with an arbor. Then head indoors for cocktails in the parlor or music room and dinner on fine china and crystal on the stone porch overlooking the woods.

Their all-inclusive packages include wedding invitations, a dressing suite for the bride, boutonnieres, photography and a personalized ceremony for up to 25 guests. Catering includes an hors d’oeuvres reception, sparkling toast, after-dinner coffee and tea and a wedding cake.

For a mid-week elopement, the venue will gladly accommodate short, private ceremonies in the evenings Monday to Thursday with ceremonies for two (plus two witnesses), photography, sparkling toast and a small wedding cake.

The owners of Le Chatelet eloped themselves and they understand that some couples want an affordable, stress-free wedding option with minimal planning. Their officiants will customize your ceremony to your religious, secular or traditional personal beliefs.

Le Chatelet also offers eco-friendly weddings for nature lovers with green and vegan options, as well as products from local farmers and wineries. So if you want to start your “happily ever after” as soon as possible, check out Le Chatelet for affordable small wedding and elopement options.

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Whether you are planning a winter wedding and you’re looking for adorable DIY favors – or you’re looking for the perfect handmade holiday gift, you can’t go wrong with classic gingerbread.

DIY gingerbread cookies in-a-jar are a cinch to make and easy on the pocketbook too! We’ve even included some free printable tags to add even more charm to your handmade gifts. Download tags here.

Gingerbread Cookies-in-a-Jar (Adapted from Allrecipes.com)

To decorate the jar you will need:

• 1 quart mason jar
• Baker’s twine or ribbon
• fabric
• Scissors
• hole punch
• gingerbread man cookie cutter

For jar contents you will need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• canning funnel

If you want to give these cookies a trial run before giving them as gifts, you will also need:

• 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine,
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1 slightly beaten egg
• 1 tablespoon vinegar