Decorative Packaging

Homemade Gifts for the one who has everything

Whether you are gifting a neighbor, friend, teacher or family member, they will love the variety of goodies you can display on a platter.  Wrap it in plastic wrap and use a pre-tied bow or to wrap around the platter.  You can also use a satin ribbon then add a bow on one end.  This is also a lovely way to bring goodies to a gathering when you don’t want to come empty handed.  This would make a great welcome to the neighborhood gift.  Maybe you are making a meal for a friend who is under the weather and want to take some treats for dessert.  This will brighten the spirits of receiver. 

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.  

Yummy Gift Idea

This is a great way to share your culinary talents with your friends.  You can give thoughtful gifts while not busting your budget.  This particular recipe is for Minty Hot Fudge Sauce… We have snow on the ground but I am now wishing I had ice cream.

Make your gift extra special by packing it in a basket with an ice cream scoop, some nuts and maraschino cherries and of course napkins.  Tie a narrow ribbon around the jar and put a sticker on the top with the directions or recipe.

Minty Hot Fudge Sauce

Makes 4 cups (12 servings)

4 ½ -pint mason jars

1 cup heavy cream

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup light-brown sugar

1 cup cocoa powder

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter cut into pieces

6 ounces milk chocolate chopped

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ cup crème de menthe

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat cream in a heavy-bottomed medium-size saucepan over medium-high heat until bubbles form along edge, Lower heat to medium-low and stir in sugars, cocoa, butter , chocolate and salt.    

Continue to heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes or until smooth, remove from the heat and stir in the crème de menthe and vanilla. Allow to cool, pour into jars. This can be Stored in airtight jars in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Heat to serve, Enjoy!

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.  

Pet Gift Ideas

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the idea of remembering a friend or family members pet during a gift exchange will excite the pet owner.  There are so many choices out there and it can be as simple as a few milk bone treats or designer doggie biscuits wrapped up with ribbon.  This idea is so sweet.  They are gourmet doggie cookies elegantly tied up with a grosgrain ribbon and boxed in a simple brown box accented with tissue paper and of course finished off with a ribbon bow.  Your friends will love your thoughtfulness. 

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.  

Package for the Pooch

 I love this idea.  The unique way of using non-traditional colors of satin ribbon to accent these simple boxed gifts is so exciting. A majority of your friends these days have pets that are a part of the family, not just a fixture around the house.  Don’t forget to remember these special family members with a gift too.  You can plan ahead and order a name tag for their collar that can also be used for a gift tag.  When going for a special visit with a friend, why not wrap up some treats in a little box for their pet too.  They will really appreciate the gesture.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.  

Snowmen Slippers

Now you can be dressed from head to toe for the holidays.  You can give the old pair of slippers a make over since you will probably get a new pair for Christmas. This pattern can easily be modified for any time of year you would wear slippers.  You could use a white print or plain fabric and make felt hearts for Valentines Day.  You could use fall colors and put a turkey or a cornucopia on the top for Thanksgiving. Snowmen will work from autumn through to spring when its time to break out the flip flops!  Be creative and Have fun!

House slippers

¼ yard red plaid flannel

2 (71/2) pieces 3/8”-wide hunter green decorative braid

Shank buttons: 2 (7/16) round red, 4 (1/8) round black (or 6/0 black beads)

Pink ink pad

Felt: black, 4”x3” pieces each plush antique white

Hunter green ribbon

Fabric adhesive

6-strand embroidery floss: black, red

Sewing thread” red, hunter green

Sewing and embroidery needles

Cut fabric: cut two slipper tops from red plaid flannel.  Cut two hat brims and face backings and two tops of hat from black felt. Cut two faces from antique white felt. Cut scarf  from green ribbon left slipper,  cut one  for right slipper.  Cut two patches from green felt.

Using needle and thread sew a gathering stitch along toe of each flannel piece as indicated by dash lines on pattern. 

Fold under edges of one piece of flannel to wrong side all the way around approximately 1/2” from edge to fit over actual slipper; hold felt in place along seam with pins.

Center one piece of braid along top opening edge, pinning in place. Tuck ends of braid under flannel so that braid ends are between flannel and actual slipper; pin

On outside of slipper, stitch flannel to slipper top along seam using tiny whip-stitches with needle and matching thread; stitch braid to slipper using small whip-stitches and stitching through all thicknesses of fabric.

Repeat steps 3-5 for second slipper.

Felt Snowmen

Using generous amounts of adhesive, glue fact to fit onto hat brim, Glue top of hat to overlap behind brim; glue patch to top of hat long brim.

Stitch red button to center of face for nose; stitch black buttons in place for eyes.  Using 3 strands black floss, add straight-stitch eyebrows and back stitch mouth.  Stitch patch onto hat using 3 strands red floss.

Rub your fingertip onto ink-pad and apply blush to snowman’s cheeks.

Glue snowman to flannel slipper top below braid; glue ribbon for scarf 3/4 of the way across, leaving enough to fold over for the tail, glue tail down.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.   

Red and Gold are the colors of love!

This stunning gift basket will make some body’s day!

The shimmering gold color of the basket is continued into the basket with metallic decorative shreds, a card and candies. When the deep romantic red color is added by inserting ribbon bows, flowers and more candy, this simple gift of a card, candy and a flowers is transformed into a royal delight.

Sometimes less is more, keeping the color theme to just red and gold is very pleasing to the eye.

This would be a perfect Valentine gift, or for any occasion, even when it’s “just because”.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.

Friendship Box

Struggling to find an idea for a special friend who has everything? This is a friendship box is a great idea. This is a gift of time and creativity.

Wrap a small jewelry box in special paper fit the occasion. Tie a white Dainty Double-Face Satin Ribbon around the entire box. Finish off with a simple bow.

The gift is your time and creativity in a poem that you can secure with double stick tape, or punch a hole in the corner and attach like a gift tag.

Personalize your poem to your friendship. Let them know that this little box is full of friendship and when they really need a friend, they can look at that little box and remember that they will always have a friend in you!

Sweetheart Sack

Transform any sack or bag into a Sweetheart Sack.  If you want to decorate a lunch bag, treat bag or a gift bag to surprise sweetie, you will only need a bag, ribbon, scrapbook supplies or construction paper, and imagination. Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon or other Novelty Ribbon would be great for this project.

You can decorate sacks for a school party and fill with goodies. Teens would appreciate one in trendy colors to take their lunch in. Or even a masculine version for the hubby will make him the envy of his piers when he opens his lunch and finds a little love note you have hidden between the sandwich and the chips.  These little bags would be wonderful as a weight for a bouquet of balloons when you add some candy and a stuffed critter.

A Gift of Love, Country Style

This gift idea is all about love. Creatively packaging hearts on the inside and a heart on the outside your special someone will feel the love all wrapped up with a Country Chic Novelty red checked Ribbon.

These little hearts can be hung on your Love Tree or Valentine Tree.  You can also hang them on cabinet knobs, hung with a ribbon in a window valence, or used to decorate a floral arrangement.  However you choose to use these little hearts, it will be fun to give them and receive them too. 

The country wrapping is brown mailing paper; you can re-use a grocery sack if you need to.  Wrap the box and lid separately.  The ribbon can be taped or glued inside the lid.  Pull it tight and make sure the lid will fit on the box.  Use decorative shred inside the box for an added country touch.  Add a little bow and a heart name tag!

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.   

Re-use Household Items  to make the Love Box

Valentines Day on a Budget

This goes right back to using what you already have in your home. You can make what we call a love box. Valentines Day on a budget can still be romantic and full of fun surprises!

Take a shoe box or gift box and cover it with a love poem and personal items, like photos. Use a copy machine to copy everything.  Add some hearts, ribbon and bows for extra flair. Then cover the box and fill it with items that reflect your sweetheart’s passions.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.