Recently, my parents sent me 30 gifts for turning 30. All were wrapped separately and in different ways. A few numbered, a few in pursy lip print cloth napkins, some surrounded by confetti and pom poms, covered in ribbon, metallic and silk, and then a couple in colored jamming jars. My Mom tends to give me a lot of inspiration and creative ideas. My 30 gifts for 30 was just another one of those times. Who doesn't love reusable gift wrap!? The jars, colorful, and stuffed with paper confetti had me thinking...what an utterly adorable thank you gift. Maybe not even thank you, but a small congratulations gift. Hell, stuff some cash in the jar for the happy newly married couple and make it a big whopping win. A.C. Moore, Michael's, Jo Ann Fabrics, and really, any local craft store carries multiple options of jars and stuffing. Stuff with your gift of choice and clasp closed for the one/s you love! xo RCN
Pretty Paper Soaps
I always appreciate a beautiful bar of soap, especially one that smells nice. Recently, I have been obsessing over bars of soap. So weird, but not really, right? A friend came over my house for drinks a couple weeks ago and brought me an aloe scented soap. I would not have expected a thing for just coming over for drinks, but what a thoughtful and posh gesture? I loved it!
For Valentine's Day I decided I wanted to wrap up soaps myself, as a Valentine's gift for our Moms, Mom Mom, and sisters (Sorry Shaina and Courtney - we didn't mail them to you at school, but I'll make you something cute next time I see you!).
Whole Foods Market has a nice selection of organic Good soaps, all unwrapped and ready for a personal touch. The assortment includes scents from Wild Strawberry to Peppermint and Praire Rose. I shopped at both A.C.Moore and Jo Ann in search of pretty pink and purple paper to wrap the soaps. Shopping for patterned paper and ribbon to complete the wrapping was thoroughly enjoyable. I am a paper goods junkie! Scrap booking paper is usually reversible with different patterns on either side, perfect for mix and matching the wrap and name tags. I also suggest vellum or sheer paper for a more refined elegant approach. The final touch of adding a bow, sticker initials, and faux floral trim goes a long way in making the gift look sweet and charming. Have a lovely Valentine's Day. Kiss, kiss, smooch, smooch!! xo RCN
That's A Wrap
For all the last minute shoppers and wrappers out there, here are some pics of the presents I put together. It may be a little inspo for you, if you are in a major crunch mode. Nothing too fancy. It's really just paper and some pretty bows and ribbon. Most paper and ribbons were all bought at Homegoods. Homegoods continues to be my favorite for wrapping paper. There is always a large assortment, and some fun, kitschy, and classic patterns. All of which I love to mix and match together. Most gifts I wrapped this holiday go back to natural color (or material), metallics, stripes, plaid and pom poms. This year may be the first time I am finished wrapping before Christmas Eve. SOOO proud of myself for that. xo RCN
Wrap It Like You Mean It
There are a few reasons why I love giving and getting gifts. One of the reasons is solely about the wrapping. Being the visual person I am, I absolutely LOVE when a gift is as stunning on the outside as on the inside. Because, I love wrapping so much, I am thrilled that Anthropologie is having a gift wrapping contest this year. One prize is being given for the best recycled gift wrap, among other prizes. My wrapping will be entered into a few categories, and I am happy to say it qualifies as recycled. Here are my specially wrapped gifts that will be entered into the contest.
I thought, what better to use then some beautiful lace and baubles. I collect an abundance of vintage lace doilies, collars, ribbon, brooches, and earrings as I travel. I have more than enough to gift away. The presents will be personable and pretty, something well deserved of all my loved ones. No paper, scissors, tape or glue. The vintage lace and baubles will perfectly do! This is exactly the type of recycled gift wrap I would like to receive. A hint of fresh evergreen adds a natural touch, those greens were all clipped straight from the Christmas tree.
Hint: If you decide to try something like this at home, clip on earrings and hair pieces with bobby pins serve very well as closure pieces. They easily wrap and intertwine between the crocheted holes of the lace and work great as fasteners along with ribbon. Or, they just work great as the trim on the center of a bow. xo RCN
Pom Pom Wrapping
One of my easiest gift wrapping ideas, is also one of my most favorite ideas. Instead of using tissue paper or scraps of paper confetti, or anything else for that matter, I like to use pom poms for the inside stuffing of a present. Pom Poms are even cushy enough to use for something more fragile, as long as you use enough of them. They are also quite lovely and cute to throw in a box along with some tissue, just to add some festiveness to the package. For Christmas I am coordinating tones of green and red with certain small packages. A double handful of green pom poms worked perfectly in this little gift bag. I threw some poms in the bag first, then added one fragile gator salt shaker, followed by more poms and the paired pepper shaker. I made sure to move the poms around all sides of the bag, and now I am ready to go. I am obsessed with this idea. Chances are, if you receive a present from me this holiday, there will probably be pom poms inside. Sorry to ruin the surprise! xo RCN
All pom poms and gift bags from Target. Target sells color coordinated boxes of pom poms in their craft section.
