I just wanted to thank all of my followers and readers. Your support is so very much appreciated. We inspire each other to explore the world and express our creativity in new and exciting ways. All the best to you and your families in 2019!
Happy Crafting!
It’s the night before Christmas, and little feet tiptoe toward the tree for a sneak peek at the presents. We may not have done this, but we thought about it a lot. It’s human nature to wonder -What’s inside the box?
Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc., you’re going to give gifts to lots of people, and those gifts need to be boxed, bagged, or wrapped in an attractive fashion.
Last Minute Checking All the Details
If your name is Mrs. Claus, you probably don’t need help wrapping gifts.
Santa’s Secret Gift Stash
In fact, Mrs. Claus probably has a gift-giving closet that looks like this one. For the rest of us, there’s still a lot of shopping to be done and presents to be wrapped. Department stores typically offer gift wrap, but it can be pricey. Many retailers have eliminated this service and the gift boxes as well. Shopping malls offer gift wrapping, but the lines can be very long. Fortunately there are lots of solutions to make your gifts look beautiful.
Gift Bags & Boxes
Gift bags are probably one of the best inventions of all time. They’re sold just about everywhere, including the food stores, so when you’re running around last minute a gift bag is easily on hand.
Accessorized Cloth Gift Bags
These burlap bags are dressed up with the addition of berries and glitzy red ornaments.
Red & White Fabric Gift Bag
This red and white gift bag has a built-in drawstring.
Fabric Gift Bags with Metallic Polka Dot Patterns
Amazon provided these festive gift bags, which my family passes back and forth for various occasions all year long. Unfortunately there’s no way of knowing which color you might receive, and some items are wrapped in paper instead of a bag.
Velvet-Lined Metal Box
A metal box is an intriguing way to package a gift.
Collectible Porcelain Box
Porcelain boxes come in a variety of shapes and colors for every occasion. These are perfect for jewelry or other small items, and can also be used to conceal a cash gift.
Glass Jar Adorned with Silver Heart
For the baker in the family, this fluted glass jar and lid will hold your gift now, and will be perfect for holding baking ingredients in the future. It could also be used as cookie jar.
Bath & Body Gift Basket
Gift baskets filled with the recipient’s favorites is always a welcome surprise. You can purchase a roll of colored cellophane wrap or use regular plastic wrap to cover the entire basket, and tie a bow on top.
Gift Box Tower
Some stores provide colorfully printed boxes, which are suitable for gifts any time of year, and can be stacked and tied with a pretty ribbon.
Gift Boxes – Lids Wrapped Separately
When using standard wrapping paper, you can always wrap the lid separately. By doing so, the box can be reused for years to come.
Accessorized Gold Box
A floral pine cone stem and some ribbon were all that was needed to complete this package.
Matching Gift Tags
Don’t forget to add a gift tag. Some people save the pictures, from last year’s holiday cards, and use them as gift tags on this year’s presents.
Dress up Gift Wrap with Ornaments
Standard green wrapping paper perks up with the addition of bright red ribbon and two adorable ornaments.
Recycled Paper with Greens from the Backyard
For an all-natural look, recycled paper can be used, with twine instead of ribbon, some evergreen and a pine cone from your backyard.
Fancy Metallic Paper & Coordinating Ribbon
A silver bow makes a statement on this aqua and silver wrapped gift.
Fanciful Paper with a Statement Bow
A glittering gold bow makes the perfect topper for this dancing reindeer package.
Metallic Paper with a Pom Pom Bow
A 3-dimensional snowflake has sprung to life from this pretty wrapping paper.
Glittering Paper, Ribbon & Bow
For a glamorous look, combine sparkling red paper, gold studded ribbon, and a shiny gold bow.
Coordinated Paper & Ribbon
This perfectly coordinated metallic ribbon and paper is suitable for gifts any time of year.
Pretty Paper with Flower-Shaped Bow
Sometimes a really great topper steals the show. A bow like this one will be appreciated for sure, with its petal-like layers in full bloom and wisps of green ribbon leaves peeking out beneath. There’s a very interesting pattern of wildlife, holly sprigs, and guitars intertwined among the curvilinear vines.
As they say, it’s the thought that counts. With a few creative choices, gift wrapping can be a pleasure, instead of a chore.
Happy Holidays & Happy Crafting!
As the weather turns colder, my thoughts turn to baking. The scent of home baked cookies wafting through the air is sure to be followed by the thumping footfalls of my family as they bound down the stairs in search of something sweet from the oven. I have to admit I love it too and have sampled more than a few of my own creations.
In addition to satisfying your family, baked goods make great gifts for guests, neighbors, co-workers, and friends. Below are several ideas for inspiration.
Gingerbread Cookies
These charming gingerbread cookies are served on an equally adorable pinwheel candy plate. They’re easy to make, or you can buy plain ones and apply your own colorful candy and icing decorations.
Gingerbread Houses
Everyone loves home baked goods. How about baked goods that require no baking at all (at least on your part)? Gingerbread kits come in a number of varieties, such as cookies, houses, and villages, and include all the necessary candies, icing, and yes the baked gingerbread too. The whole family will enjoy building and eating their creations.
Traditional Christmas Cookies
Decked out in green, red and white icing, these cookies celebrate Christmas in the sweetest possible way. If you have a long list of people to bake for, get the whole family involved with the decorating to speed up the process in this fun activity.
Assorted Butter Cookies
Butter cookies are finger licking good. If you are pressed for time, many bakeries offer ready-made cookie platters to share with your friends and family or give as gifts.
Fancy Cookie Cut Outs
This elegant cookie looks professionally made, but it’s actually quite easy to make yourself. All you need are two cookie cutters – one large round with scalloped edges, and the second in the shape of a swan or any design you prefer. Layer two large cookies on top of each other, with strawberry or raspberry filling, to make this sandwich cookie. The bottom cookie is solid, while the top cookie has a swan cut out in the center. Shake powdered sugar on top for a beautiful bakery finish.
Iced Snowman Cookies
Snowmen are seasonal favorites. These individually wrapped cookies would make great party favors for your guests. If you have extra, they’re popular items at the school bake sales. Of course that assumes your family doesn’t finish them off first. (lol)
Holiday Cookie & Candy Platter
Homemade cookies & candy go hand in hand. This creative assortment tantalizes the taste buds. Should I have a cookie first or dive into the chocolates? There are plenty of candy mold designs suitable for any occasion, and new flavors in candy melts will please the most adventuresome candy aficionados.
Assorted Homemade Breads
Breads are delicious any time of year. With so many recipes and the ease of baking, anyone can make homemade bread in less than an hour. Crafter Tip: Many types of bread need to be fully cooled, and sometimes refrigerated before slicing. To prevent crumbling, be sure to follow the recipe instructions.
Christmas Petits Fours
Petits Fours are the perfect marriage of cake and candy. Fondant icing is actually candy used to cover bite size cubes of yellow, sponge or pound cake. While the fondant is still wet, decorations can be applied using piped icing, or a sprinkling of either candy or nuts. As an added burst of flavor, jelly or butter cream can be spread over the cake prior to applying the fondant.
Snowman Cupcakes
These snowman and snowlady cupcakes are almost too cute to eat. The bodies are standard size cupcakes, and the heads are mini cupcakes. Coconut is the perfect substitute for snow. Oreos become top hats for the gentlemen, and piped icing details create all the smiling faces and earmuffs for the ladies.
Hanukkah Donuts
It wouldn’t be Hanukkah without deep-fried jelly donuts sprinkled with granulated sugar.
Cranberry Rhubarb Pie
Cranberries play a large part in many holidays. There’s cranberry sauce as a side item with your meal, cranberry garlands and sprigs as decorative touches, and cranberry muffins and pies.
Whether you bake everything from scratch, or supplement your desserts with store-bought items, the holidays are a time of sharing, especially at mealtime. Enjoying the seasonal flavors with loved ones is something we all have in common. Please read “Holiday Food Presentation” for ideas on displaying your culinary creations.
Happy Holidays & Happy Crafting!
Crafts Inspire Me 