Hi Everyone. Annie, Mary Ann, and I are joined by a very talented group of DIY bloggers today. We are sharing Stylish Handmade Gifts and Gift Tags Your Friends Will Love. I have to admit my DIY skills have waned over the years but I came up with a couple you might enjoy.
STYLISH HANDMADE GIFTS AND GIFT TAGS YOUR FRIENDS WILL LOVE
I am not a baker but I made this last year and it turned out great. I am repeating it this year. You can find the recipe for Sunset Magazine’s Salted Pecan Toffee here. We make it with almonds. It would be delicious with whatever nut you choose. I took pictures of the chocolate and the stirring etc. I don’t think you want to look at that. I know the food bloggers do it. If I know you guys you just want to see the finished product. You can read a recipe.
For the presentation, I just wrapped the toffee in a cellophane bag. All I had were big ones and no one had smaller ones. I know shocker. You can also just use cellophane wrap, just as easy. I will link all supplies at the bottom of the post. I added sari ribbon and bells from Etsy.
I made the gift tags on Canva, and added a few faux greens. I made a group for you without our name if you would like to copy them. Here is the link to the PDF for the reindeer tags. You can use a paper punch to place a hole if you would like to tie them.
My second simple handmade gift is paperwhites in a bucket The bulbs are available almost everywhere at about $1 apiece. They are simple to grow. They don’t even need soil. They can be grown in water or in gravel as I did here.
I grabbed a galvanized bucket from Michaels for about $6, added black and white grosgrain ribbon and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary. I used the same card but printed it on white cardstock instead of kraft paper. The entire cost is about $10-$12 dollars.
If you have grown paperwhites before you know they have a tendency to fall over after a while and aren’t very pretty. This article, The Secret to Well Behaved paperwhites has the solution (alcohol). It stunts their growth and keeps them from falling over.
GIFT WRAP AND TAGS
Many of you asked that I share this year’s wrapping paper theme. I don’t have many packages wrapped yet, but the plan is in place. Since this post is pretty brief (my DIY talents are not what they once were) Every year I design our gift tags on Canva. This year I am using old photos of each of us (except for Summer I want her to be able to find her packages) Here is the one I designed for Summer’s gifts. I think I was channeling the very gifted Lynne from French Bread and Family. She is one of the most talented people on earth.
The papers this year are brown kraft paper, white, and some patterned craft paper that I found on Amazon. All will be linked at the bottom of the post. Here I used simple brown paper bags, green tissue paper, and black cotton twill tape. The bags are a whiz to wrap and can be reused. I save all my ribbon from year to year (drives my family crazy), but it is worth it to me.
I am also using a polka dot sari ribbon from Etsy and a green velvet ribbon from Amazon.
This year I wanted the wrap to echo the neutral earthy tones of the pillows and throws in the living room so I kept the color scheme simple. I love using simple white or brown boxes. All you need is a pretty ribbon!
SHOP THE POST
That’s it for me. I hope you enjoyed Stylish Handmade Gifts and Gift TagsYour Friends will Love. You might also enjoy Gift Wrap Ideas Toffee and More. Now you will want to pop over and visit the other creative bloggers joining us today. I know you will not be disappointed. Click on the links below the graphic to read.
Most Lovely Things (Annie)
Classic Casual Home(Mary Ann)
Cindy Hattersley Design (Cindy)
Sheri Silver (Sheri)
My Sweet Savannah (Melaine)
The Yellow Table (Anna)
Merry Christmas!!!!!
I am forever in your debt for the gift tags. Leaving gift wrapping to the wee hours of Christmas morning is never a good idea as I ran out! Cindy to the rescue! Printed up your tags and I am good to go!
Thank you So Much.
Cindy,
Dearest Cindy ::
Your kind words mean the world to me, because you are one of my favorite creatives!
Those who know me, know that gift wrapping is a passion of mine.
My adult children are wrap ambassadors from what they call their Mom’s gift wrap boot camp.
Wrapping with plain brown paper or white butcher paper sets the perfect canvas for unlimited creativity.
Your wrappings for this Christmas season are brilliant. And Oh My Gosh . . . Summer’s Tag!
I am off to shop your links to feed my gift wrap stash!
Wishing you and your beautiful family a best blessed holiday season!
Hi Lynne
I was totally channeling you. I study everything you do. I am in complete awe of your talents. Happy Holidays! Hopefully one day our paths will cross in person!
I love homemade gifts!!!! I cannot wait to make your toffee and the granola. I have been wrapping my gifts in craft paper for year and think it is so easy and it matches everything! Thank you for sharing your tags. I hope you do not mind but I am going to link to 13 homemade gifs I love that you might too!https://pineconesandacorns.com/2020/12/homemade-holiday-gifts/
Have a fabulous day Cindy!
GREAT! Thanks Elizabeth. Can’t wait to check them out!
You are a life-saver, thanks for these great ideas! I did find it amusing that the alcohol will stop the paper-whites from falling over – it has the opposite reaction on me! Merry Christmas!
Hi Kerry Lou
Love your sense of humor! I have to agree.
Can’t wait to try the paper white solution Mine always flop over and I unsuccessfully try to tie
them up with ribbons
Hi Nancy
It works I tried it last year. Let me know if it works for you as well.
How very kind of you to share your gift tags! They’re beautiful! Thank you!
Your friends/gift recipients are so lucky. I’d love to receive any of this. I hardly cook/bake or do anything in the kitchen anymore, but that candy…oh ye, I’m going to make that!
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Hi Nancy
Happy Holidays and sorry for the tardy response. You can make the toffee if I can. I do not bake anymore either! Enjoy!
Hi Cindy – great post and very inspiring! Hoping to get all crafty and in the Christmas spirit with the upcoming rainy weather. I agree homemade gifts are the best! ♥️
Hi Michele
I am so glad you enjoyed the posts. Good luck with your Christmas crafts. I have another idea we will see if it pans out!
Hi Cindy,
Everything that you crafted looks absolutely WONDERFUL, you have such a magic touch and an “over the top”
creative yet simple imagination that makes your gifts stand out in a crowd. Give yourself a BIG pat on the back,
The gift tags are a personalized and such a special touch. The one you created for Summer is so fabulous. I am
like you, I save unique special ribbons too, a smart thing to do. I also re-purpose gift bags, and tissue as well.
Thank you for sharing all the LOVE (my operative word this year) you put into your gift packages.
Hi Katherin
Thank you so much you are always so kind and thoughtful with your comments. I so appreciate it.I am glad to hear you are a ribbon hoarder too!
Cindy! I LOVE this color palette! It would be my go-to anyway but especially with the natural gift of paperwhites it’s perfect! You have a way of making everything look special without being overly fussy – love your style!
Hi Sheri
You are so talented Sheri I am honored that you feel that way. You never disappoint with your posts.
Cindy, I read your blog every day and am always inspired by your creativity & talent, although I rarely leave a comment, but today I must say that your homemade gift ideas are the BEST! Also love Summer’s gift tags, your gift wrapping theme, and that you always share & link everything for us. Thank you. You rock!
Hi Nancy
That makes me so happy. I really appreciate you commenting. Please share anytime. We love hearing from you!
Cindy!
Everything you do is so beautiful! I love the earthy aspect of everything with refined touches like beautiful ribbons and your tags!! How creative and lovely are your tags! I love the one with Summer too! So creative!
xx
OMG! First the gift tag with Summer!! Love! And the way you wrapped the toffee is so gorgeous. I am upping my wrapping game for sure!~
Great job!
Cindy:
There is something about handmade gifts,
They are so thoughtful, mindful and soooo sweet to give and receive.
It is. in the presentation, gift wrapping is besutifulllllll. I an going with White Butcher Paper, with Red Traditional plaid
Thank you,
❤️💚🎁🎁❤️💚
You are absolutely right Karen. I love white butcher paper. I think Lynne has it right …the blank slate of the solid paper is just wonderful!