All Wrapped Up - DIY

We all know the expression 'you can't judge a book by its cover', but I can't help but wonder if that applies to uniquely wrapped gifts. Don't get me wrong, I'm not for expensive things or even expecting such, but there's something really special about a beautifully wrapped gift. It's not exactly what lies beneath, but its the presentation that makes a statement in itself. In other words, you can gather a bunch of rocks, put them in a tidy arrangement and add your own little uniqueness and voila! You've just created something quite amazing.

In these days of saving, its effortless to put something together using things you already have. For example, my mother and I did our annual cookie baking yesterday, which resulted in little bites in all shapes and sizes. Why not wrap these up and give to a neighbor or friend? The key is in the wrapping since you've already put your efforts into the "present"!

With that said, I've put together a gift using things in the kitchen.

Here's what I used:

Empty aluminum can (I cleaned out a tomato sauce can from our pasta dinner!)

Kitchen towel - for the 'lining'

Felt (I used gray, love how this looks against the metal)

Twine

Cinnamon stick (use whatever you want to tie to the gift; ie, candy cane, pine cone, etc.)

'Filler' - I've used freshly baked biscotti and a candy cane

Filler can be ANYTHING, seriously. Hot cocoa, candy, tea, coffee.... cater it to whoever will be receiving it. You can even do non-edible items such as cuttings from your Christmas tree or ornaments, pictures, little notepads. The 'can' is your oyster!

Cut the felt to fit around the can and tie it with twine. Wrap the cinnamon stick on there and you're set with the outside. It's easy peasy... I kid you not. The fun part is filling it with oodles of personalization. I have to say, there's something to be said about the time you put into a homemade gift and the person receiving it will surely adore it.

As for the biscotti, I found these SO EASY to bake! I normally do not post recipes on this site, but since this is considered a gift, perhaps you can find some use for it as well. It was a hit with my mother and father in law and everyone else seems to love them too (I did, of course, cut the sugar and they still are fab). They're great with tea and coffee and a perfect treat for Christmas morning!

I've included the recipe below, thanks Country Living!

A gift someone will surely love

Yummy biscotti!

Lemon Olive Oil Biscotti Recipe

2 1/2 cup(s) All-Purpose Flour

1 teaspoon(s) Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon(s) Salt

1 cup(s) Whole Almonds, skins on; toasted and ground

2 large Eggs

1 cup(s) Sugar -- I used 1/2 cup, still delicious

1/2 cup(s) Olive Oil (Preferably Sicilian)

 Zest Of 2 Lemons (Preferably Meyer)

1 teaspoon(s) Vanilla Extract

 Fleur De Sel, if desired

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add ground almonds and stir to combine. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together eggs, sugar, olive oil, lemon zest, and vanilla on medium speed for 1 minute. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually add flour mixture and mix until dough just begins to come together. Do not overmix.
3. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using damp hands, shape each piece into a 12-inch-long log, 1/2 inch high.
4. Bake logs until firm, about 28 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees F. Cool logs on baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes.
5. Transfer logs to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, slice each into 24 half-inch-thick biscotti. Place biscotti on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 1/2 inch apart. Sprinkle with fleur de sel, if desired. Bake biscotti until slightly crisp, about 14 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Some more fabulously wrapped gifts:

Christmas Card - DIY

Here's a beautiful card that takes little time to make and has lots of impact. If you're itching to give that special someone a unique greeting or if you want to prop this up on a frame holder, the choice is yours; this is guaranteed to get lots of compliments for sure! 

For years, I've collected card stock paper because it's so pretty and sooo versatile. Seriously. You can use it as wrapping paper, frame inserts and numerous decoupage projects. For this particular project, I was able to use a bunch of pieces to make the tree.

I kid you not, this is simple, cheap and very easy.

DIY Card Materials:

Printed paper (I used a Christmas one I had on hand, but you can also use wrapping paper, pages from a magazine or even rip up an old book)

Index Card or thick paper to adhere the tree to

Glue Stick

Button (for tree topper)

Scalloped Scissors (optional)

Hershey's Kiss wrapper (as a 'treat' for when you're finished... and also moonlights as ornaments for the tree)

Consult pictures below -- they may be easier to follow than my directions! 

If you choose to 'scallop' the outside of your card, go ahead and do so. 

Next, create the bottom of the tree and cut your paper of choice (wrapping, printed or magazine/book paper). As you go up, your paper will gradually get smaller and smaller. 

Begin rolling each one and gluing them onto the index card. 

Note: As you continue, the paper will adhere to each other as well as to the card itself. I ended up doing sixteen 'tiers' and they adhered nicely. 

As for the stump, I simply folded a piece of brown paper and glued it on last. 

Final step was taking foil from a Hershey's Kiss and making it into ornaments by gluing them onto the tree. 

You are now finished! I was tempted to take sewing thread and bringing along the tree as garland, but figured I'd leave well enough alone. It really is a cute card and since you roll the paper onto it, the tree just jumps right out at you! Honestly, what better way to wish someone a Merry Christmas? 

Here's a tree that NEVER needs watering!

Chalkboard Mug - Genius!

I love mugs, especially when they're filled with frothy cappuccino, marshmallow-y hot cocoa or fragrant tea (which is usually the latter!) My mother-in-law has these beautiful Currier and Ives mugs that I absolutely love using this time of year. Somehow it makes sipping a hot drink a decadent experience and elevates the mood to a time-out from everything going on.

I stumbled upon this picture and project and fell in love. Not only are the pics eye candy, but it's such a great idea! Now here's a DIY project you can do on a budget and something your guests will love. It also makes a cute Christmas gift!

All you need is a porcelain mug (you can pick this up at craft shops)
Painters tape
Chalkboard paint specifically made for porcelain
A soft bristle brush

The rest of the instructions please follow: Wit and Whistle
Thank you for supplying such a wonderful DIY that is cute and inexpensive!

Feast Your Eyes

At the end of every morsel of Christmas excitement lays a feast awaiting at the end of it. Whether it's a feast of gifts, a feast for the eyes, stomach or a celebratory feast where everyone you know comes together to enjoy the birth of our Lord. Christmas is about celebrating and there's nothing more joyous than that!

If you're hosting your own gathering, feel free to choose a color and run it throughout your table. You can also go the traditional red, silver and gold to warm your space up a bit and make it festive. Nothing says warmth like candles and a Christmas table is the perfect place to put them! String paper snowflakes overhead along with marshmallows (yes, you heard me correctly!) - it adds a whimsical flair and your guests will find it unexpected and fun! A definite conversation piece for sure.

For a clever DIY place setting, take a round ornament (every dollar store has these!) and cover it with black chalkboard spray paint (available at hardware and craft stores) and write the name of who will be sitting there or a little festive note! This is sure to be a hit and your guests can take it home and save it for their tree.

It doesn't matter if you're having an army of guests or just a few (if any)... the important thing is to make Christmas as special as you can by decking your table in a joyful landscape so you can enjoy your meal. Again, whether it's a catered feast, a microwavable dinner or a hot cocoa bar and fondue, make it memorable for yourself and others.

Be Jolly! 

The Stockings Were Hung - DIY Project

Indeed they were! Whether you have a mantle to hang them from or not, it doesn't really matter. You can take a large branch from outside and hang them from there, place in front of a mirror or window and use it like you would a wreath and fill it with greenery. I've hung ours along a corner cabinet and brought in a branch (which I've wrapped in yarn!) to add more interest.

Stockings are one of those things that are truly personal. We used to have ones that my grandmother crocheted and each one had our name sewn into them. I tend to prefer neutral over loud colors, but I've seen so many that are quirky and fun that no matter the color, shape or size they're all pretty special.

For my DIY Stockings (see first photo).
I drew the shape of the stocking I wanted onto regular paper - I taped two pieces together so it would be long enough.
I then traced the template onto material very lightly using a marker; don't worry about the lines since you'll be sewing and using the other side of the material where you've drawn.
After that, I cut and sewed both pieces together with my freehand, but you could also use a sewing machine for more precision. It didn't take long to finish, but the sewing is the longest part of the process.
When everything was sewn into place, I then turned it inside out and sewed trimming along the top in a different material. Again, I stayed neutral using burlap and a couple other materials (don't remember the names), but they're as plain jane as they come.

My next stocking project is going to be using old sweaters I have laying around. Using what you have on hand is brilliant... I've even used towels from the dollar store to sew stockings here and there. Love it!

MY FINISHED PROJECT -- OUR STOCKINGS!