Decorative Packaging

Red Velvet Ribbon turns plain white wrapping paper into a beautiful package!  We used red velvet ribbon to decorate the out side of our home as a child and to make bows for the Christmas tree.  But ribbon can make the simplest paper become elegant and exciting.  This could be for Valentines day or Christmas gifts.  Any gift becomes more inviting with the perfect ribbon wrapped around it!

This country kitchen has a small tree with a kitchen theme.  A small tree in various rooms of the house decorated with different themes is a great way to use all the favorite decorations you have collected through the years.  This one uses kitchen items like cookie cutters, biscuit cutters, various fruits, and a hand made tin star cookie cutter for the top of the tree.  All the items you choose can be tied on with the same color ribbon.  The narrow red satin ribbon pulls the color of the tree skirt ( red and white cloth napkin) in and there is no need for tinsel, the metallic wired gold bows made from glittery gold wired ribbon give plenty of sparkle to the tree.

This elegant little gift is just begging to be opened!  A simple red foil paper is set off by using a green satin ribbon.  Take the time to make the out side of the gift be as inviting as the gift in side.  Just a simple little bow that can be untied and no tape is required.  Start on the top of the package with the center of the ribbon, rap it around to the bottom, then twist and come up the other side meeting in the top and tie a knot.  Tie a bow with the remainder of the ribbon leaving the tails long.  Trim the ends at and angle.

Dress up any plain Greeting card with a little bit of narrow satin red ribbon and eyelet lace. Just measure enough lace to border the part of the card you choose, Elmer’s glue will work but hot glue is much faster and only takes little dots, then weave a narrow red satin ribbon in and out of the holes in the lace, finish off with a cute little bow.  (I reccomend weaving the red ribbon through the lace before you glue it down.) This special touch will show you took the extra time to make their card extra special just for them.

This is just one way you can add a festive winter look to your planter box on the front porch.  Just add some evergreen boughs, pine cones and bright holiday plaid ribbon.  It brings life to the dead plants that didn’t make it through the winter weather.  You could also add some silk poinsettias of various colors if you need more color on your porch. Change the flowers and the ribbon as the winter melts into spring but is still too early for fresh flowers.

When decorating your home for Christmas, don’t forget to decorate the kitchen too.  This lovely kitchen has been decorated with fresh garland, ornaments and country ribbon and twine tied in bows.  The hand made ornaments are tied on with a natural country ribbon.  You can use what ever ribbon you like to coordinate with your ornaments for a country look or an elegant look with all gold ornaments and metallic gold ribbon.

Looking for a quick craft idea for stocking stuffer or teachers?  Try making a heavenly host of these festive ribbon angels designed by Marsha Doyle of Lamar, Missouri.  They work up in no time and are sure to add sparkle to any tree or package.  With a little adult help, all ages can do this fun project.

You will need:

1-1/4 inch wooden ball head

Gold metallic spray paint

Newspapers

7-inch length of 2-1/2 inch-wide wired red and green plaid ribbon

9-inch length of 1-1/4 inch-wide wired gold metallic ribbon

5-inch length of 3mm gold metallic string beads

Two 6-inch lengths of gold metallic chenille stem (pipe cleaners)

Gold metallic ribbon rose

8-inch length of mono-filament thread for hanger

Glue gun and glue sticks

Scissors

Finished size: Ribbon angel measures about 5-1/2 inches across x 5-1/2 inches tall

Directions:

Working on newspaper-protected surface, spray wooden ball head gold.  Let dry.

For dress, fold plaid ribbon in half crosswise with wrong sides facing. Insert ribbon ends opposite fold into opening of wooden ball head.  Glue to hold.

For arms, wrap one piece of chenille stem around neck of angel with ends even in front.  Shape ends as directed.

For halo, form remaining piece of chenille stem into a circle with ends overlapping about 1 inch. Twist the ends around chenille stem to hold.  Glue twisted portion of halo to back of head.

For wings, fold gold metallic ribbon in half crosswise with wrong sides facing.  Crease wire to mark fold and open. Fold each end in and overlap them a bit at the center mark.  Glue as needed to hold.  Glue center of wings to back of angel just below head.

Glue ends of gold string beads to center front of dress just below head. Glue ribbon rose to front of dress, covering ends of string beads.

Knot ends of mono-filament thread together for hanging loop.  Trim ends close to knot.  Thread hanging loop through the top of halo.  Insert knotted end of hanging loop through looped end and pull on knotted end to tighten loop.

Trim a tree or a package with this charming cherub!

This wonderful old-fashioned sleigh has been festively decorated and would be a perfect decoration for any corner of your home or porch.  You will need some fresh pine boughs, pine cones, and this red and white plaid 3 inch wired ribbon to make a bow. I love red and white checked ribbon!

We love this Carmel-drizzled mix of popcorn, almonds and cereal.  Make plenty to share.  A simple plastic bag can be beautifully dressed up with a perfect bow tied around the top.  They make yummy gifts for all the snackers on y0ur Christmas list.

Add a gift tag with a narrow red ribbon or use a 3 inch pre-tied elastic bow inserted through the hole in the tag leaving the bow on the tag and the looped end can be wound around the top of the bag and will help secure it since it is elastic.

Carmel Crunch

9 cups popped popcorn, 9 cups Crispix cereal, 1 cup slivered almonds, 1cup butter cubed, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 2 cups packed brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.

In a large heatproof bowl, combine the popcorn, cereal, and almonds.  In a saucepan, melt the butter; stir in the corn syrup and brown sugar.  Cook and stir over med. heat until mixture comes to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda.  Mixture will foam up and get lighter in color.  Carefully pour over popcorn mixture; stir to coat evenly. Transfer in two 15 inch x 10 inch x 1 inch baking pans coated with nonstick spray.  Bake at 250 for 45 minutes.  Stirring every 15 minutes. spread on wax paper to cool.  Store in air tight containers.  YIELD about 4 1/2 quarts

Invite your guests to open your door of friendship.  They will feel very welcome as they enter and enjoy the gift of fellowship on the other side.

Most doors are approx 7ft tall and approx 3ft wide.  So you will need at least 30 feet wired ribbon.  The door in the picture uses 2 1/2 inch to 3 inch wide holiday wired ribbon.

Decide where you want your plaid ribbon bow to be, I will call that the start point, that will be the start and end point of the ends of the ribbon so it is hidden behind the bow.  You can make a bow on both sides or just hand a wreath on the inside.  Measure your door.  cut the first length of ribbon long enough to go all the way around the door from the start point up to the bottom and meet at the start/end point.

Secure with a push pin or double sided sticky tape. Use plenty.  Then do the same thing going around the edges of the door back to the start/end point securing with double sided sticky tape.  Then cut 8 lengths of ribbon 20 inches long.  Make loops with each one and fasten the ends of each loop together and twist in the middle one time to make two loops of a bow pinched in the middle.

Then lay them all out in a star pattern.  cut another length of ribbon 36 inches long and cut the ends diagonal, make a 2 or 3 inch loop in the center of the length and twist leaving long tails, then put that loop in the center of the star pattern and use the long ends to be the tie that joins all the loops together with the small loop in the middle, since the ribbon is wired, you can twist it once or twice and arrange the loops so they are all even and you huge bow is finished.

I use the plastic sticky wall hangers that you can remove with out making a hole to put things on our front door.  If you have a metal door you can use a magnet and glue it on the back of your bow.  Or, you could just get a coordinating pull bow and fasten it to the center of your door to save time.  Which ever way you are able to do it is fine.  You can wrap the door for birthday parties, Christmas, surprise parties, or any special occasion!  Have fun and be creative.