Candy conversation hearts are the most iconic Valentine's Day candy there is, so of course I include them in my Valentine's Day decor whenever possible.

Since Jo and I like to go big and bold with decor, we came up with an easy way to make giant conversation hearts in a few minutes from basic supplies.

VIDEO: How to make giant conversation hearts

Here's a video showing the entire process of making oversized conversation hearts for your Valentine's Day decor.

If you can't see the video, try viewing it directly on YouTube.

If you prefer step-by-step instructions, keep reading to see exactly how I transformed ordinary items into giant Valentine's Day conversation hearts.

DIY giant conversation hearts

Our technique for making these oversized conversation hearts couldn't be easier. You just need some heart-shaped Valentine's Day candy boxes and some paint.

Step 1: Choosing the right heart-shaped candy box

When shopping for a heart-shaped candy box, you of course want to look at the size to be find one that meets your needs, but don't forget to look at the SIDES of the box carefully.

To get the most realistic look, you want a candy box with smooth, solid sides, and not one with overhanging trim or scalloped edges.

The second thing to look for in choosing your candy box is the embossing on the cover. Since you'll be painting it, any embossed designs will show through, so try to find a box with a smooth surface. (Check the backs, too... they are rarely embossed.)

Step 2: Painting the box in pastel colors

Once you have your boxes home and have removed the candy (and hopefully not eaten it all yet), you're ready to paint the boxes.

My go-to paint for projects like this is DecoArt Americana Multi-Surface Paint because it sticks to just about anything and dries to a lovely, satin sheen.

Paint both halves of the boxes using pretty pastels like pink, purple, yellow, peach, and mint.

Step 3: Adding your custom messages

When the paint is dry, you can add your own custom messages using stickers or paint. I opted to use one of my Chalkola paint markers (in red) to write my custom messages. COUPON: get 10% off Chalkola markers on Amazon with code CHALKOLA10

Decorating with oversized Valentine's Day candy

I love to decorate my foyer cabinet for the seasons, and in February I fill it with tons of oversized Valentine's Day decor, including lots of giant candy and featuring my 3-foot heart-shaped box of candy as the star of the show.

These large DIY conversation hearts are a natural in the decor, and look great on all the shelves, nestled in among the red roses, giant Hershey's Kisses, and vintage Valentines.

Conversation heart gift boxes

These painted boxes are also a unique and fun way to wrap a small or flat gift for your special someone. Just put the gift inside, add a custom message to the box, and maybe even tie it up with a bow until ready to be opened. So cute!

Custom messages on conversation hearts

The best part about making these conversation hearts yourself is that you can add whatever custom messages you like. Personalize it with a pet name, an inside joke, or even a prom-posal or "marry me?"

What are your ideas for fun conversation heart messages? Let us know in the comments below, we'd love to see them!