The Scratch

Easy, Last-Minute Valentine’s Day gift is a Crowd Pleaser

It’s the time of year for roses, candy hearts and chocolate covered strawberries. But what if your sweetheart isn’t into the traditional Valentine’s Day swag? What if your Valentine isn’t a sweetheart at all, but a friend or a relative whose day you are trying to make special? We’ve got a real crowd-pleaser for you.

Lottery tickets, of course! And in the example shown above, all you need to craft this day-making bouquet is a handful of Scratch or Lotto tickets from your local Nebraska Lottery retailer, a few straws, a glass or vase, some filler material like tissue paper or candy, and tape.

We started by taping a few smaller scratch tickets—in our case, the always-popular $1 Quick 7s—to the inside of a clear pint glass. Then we stuffed the glass with pink artificial basket grass, though you can use anything from small candies to napkins from the gas station where you bought the Scratch tickets. You are the artist!

Next, you’ll want to give the lucky bouquet some major visual appeal with “flowers.” In our case, these “flowers” happen to be colorful pieces of cardboard that could earn your sweetheart thousands of dollars. Simply tape a straw (also found at gas stations) to the back of the ticket, stuff into the glass or vase and arrange for maximum viewing pleasure.

When taping the straw to the back of the ticket, we suggest you do so at varying heights on each ticket. This will help show off all the tickets you purchased! We also suggest you avoid putting tape on the barcode in case some of it rips off when removing the straw for scratching and validations purposes.

And, you know, since you’re in the gas station collecting Lottery tickets, napkins and straws, you might as well buy the hot dog and soda to accompany. We don’t judge. TREAT YO’ SELF!

VOILA! Your non-traditional yet crowd-pleasing Valentine’s Day gift is ready to delight your loved ones in a matter of minutes.

As always, please remember to play and give responsibly.