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Friday, December 6, 2013

The Scoop On Creating a Handmade Christmas - Embellishing Christmas Gifts

Ever since I was a little girl, I can remember looking forward to wrapping the presents I would get for my family members.  It was so fun to get ribbon, bows, and tags and make the gifts look pretty.  I can even recall a time (long before I could ever purchase anything) when I wrapped some tinsel and an evergreen branch up in a little box for one of my older brother's Christmas presents!  I'm sure he was thrilled to receive that :)

I still think embellishing Christmas packages are half the fun in giving them.  I love to pull out all my ribbon, trinkets, etc and put together different combinations...
I thought I'd share a few Christmas presents that I finished up recently and hopefully give you some inspiration when you're wrapping your gifts this year...
After I've picked my favorite paper and wrapped the gifts, I like to pull out my not-so-small collection of ribbon.  I tend to save scraps here and there, which is perfect when Christmastime comes around!  Depending on the look of the wrapping paper I used for the year, I look through my craft supplies and even around the house for things I can use for gift tags or little embellishments to add...
Leftover ornaments from decorating, skeleton keys, custom tags, as well as items from nature like branches, pinecones, holly, and greenery are also great additions to those Christmas packages...
Since I decorated the tree and living room with neutral colors and used elements from nature in the Christmas decor, faux bois (fake wood) wrapping paper is a perfect match...
I love to have simple white satin ribbon on hand for gifts as it gives an elegant statement.  Add some greenery, an antique skeleton key, and custom chalkboard wooden tag and this gift is ready to go!  Did you know that you can make custom chalkboard tags simply by painting wooden tags from the craft store with acrylic paint, Chalk Paint, or with chalkboard paint (of course)?

This time birds and coordinating pale blue satin ribbon and ornaments complement brown faux bois paper...
Going even further with the bird theme, this silvery feather gift wrap is embellished with burlap ribbon, fresh greenery, feather accent and custom nest gift tag.  Etsy is a great source for inexpensive, downloadable gift tags like these...
I was excited to finally use the Ballard Design's document wrapping paper that I ordered last year as part of an after-Christmas sale.  I don't usually splurge on expensive paper, but I've always loved this in their catalog every year...
Paired with burlap ribbon, a turkey feather (reminiscent of a quill), and an embellished cotton boll, this package would be perfect for an aspiring writer!
Last, but not least, I came across a package of small envelopes at Hobby Lobby recently and thought they would make cute place settings and personalized gift tags...
Filled with greenery, candy, etc and attached to a package or napkin at the dinner table, these little envelopes are perfect for the holidays!  
There are endless possibilities when it comes to embellishing those Christmas gifts... Just have fun with it!

Make sure you visit all the other great handmade Christmas projects the next six days!  



Friday December 6

Saturday December 7 Sunday December 8
Monday December 9
Tuesday December 10


Also, this is the last day of the "Deck the Halls" Tour!  Don't forget to visit these talented blogger's Christmas decorations...






19 comments:

  1. Wow! Such pretty gifts! I love the idea of adding the cotton...unique! Thanks so much for sharing! Hugs...Debbie

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  2. You have great ideas for wrapping Christmas gifts, Lauren. I love all the extra special touches. I'm an impatient wrapper, and usually throw things in bags- not very creative, I know.

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  3. Your packages are so beautifully wrapped…such incredible details just like your home!

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  4. I love your beautiful packages, and especially the little envelope with the leaves tucked in, so pretty.

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  5. First of all, I am so impressed that you have done Christmas wrapping. I have gifts bought, but I haven't gotten around to wrapping anything yet.

    I'm like you. I love to make my packages pretty, and I love to unwrap pretty gifts.

    Will you wrap all my presents from Bruce this year so I can have something pretty under the tree for me? :)

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  6. Beautiful! My favorite is the one with the turkey feather and cotton!

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  7. Great wrapping ideas! Love that faux bois paper!!! Pinned!

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  8. So many beautiful ideas. Thank you!

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  9. I always love to give a gift that is wrapped with thought ( not a big fan of gift bags) and creativity. I also like to get those same gifts! :)

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  10. So pretty! I'd love to receive a gift with such thought. Thrilled to be apart of Handmade Christmas with you!

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  11. Just beautiful! Your collection of ribbons are just lovely. I can only imagine the looks on the faces of the recipients when they receive=ve their gift. Thanks for inspiring! ~Christy

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  12. Just beautiful! Your ribbon selection is just lovely! I am sure the gift recipients are just in awe when they receive their gift. Thanks for inspiring! ~christy

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  13. LIke you, I have always love wrapping gifts. My mom had me wrap all of the gifts, including mine, every Christmas. I am having fun wrapping gifts this year because for the last 10 years we have been on family vacations and I couldn't really wrap the packages before we flew wherever we were going. This year we are home and I am going all out on wrapping.

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  14. Gift wrapping is one of my favorite things to do, too. I love embellishing packages with fun and interesting things. Your packages are beautiful. Thanks for the ideas.

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  15. These are all gorgeous! Love how unique they are, wrapping gifts is one of my favorite parts of Christmas - your gift wrap ideas are fantastic!

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  16. Love the woodland theme and the colors!! So beautiful !

    Nancy

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  17. I love your gift wrap creativity! Such beautiful packages and wonderful ideas!
    Michele

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  18. I love your creative gift wrap ideas. Each is a mini work of art, so beautifully done!

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Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving me a sweet comment! I read each and every one of them and they brighten my day!