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DIY – Inexpensive, Handmade Gift Wrap Ideas

Handmade wrapping paper is beautiful, but can be expensive. Here are some inexpensive, do-it-yourself gift wrap ideas that look fabulous, but won’t put a dent in your wallet this holiday season.

A repeated holiday phrase in a script font becomes elegant packaging for small gifts. It’s simple, inexpensive and can be easily done at home with your computer and printer. Thanks Better Homes & Gardens!

Blogger, Creature Comforts created this darling gift wrap using celery {yep, the veggie} as a stamping tool. Here’s the step-by-step.

Here is another clever stamped gift wrap idea using buttons. To create a button stamp, Martha Stewart suggests affixing button to a cork with double-sided tape. Top the present with a pretty button tied on with baker’s twine.

This spray painted lace wrapping paper by Eddie Ross is gorgeous and is a fraction of what hand block wrapping paper costs. Love the batik look.

Martha Stewart’s nature inspired wood grain wrapping paper is one of my favorite this year. Here is the how to.

Whether it be in satin, velvet or grosgrain a beautiful bow always puts the finishing touch on your gift. Need a refresher on how to tie a bow or square knot?

But, it’s the thought that counts right? Here is a picture of the gifts my little girls wrapped for one another. My five year old has no idea that the heart she put on her sister’s gift reads, “hot babe.” Too funny!

And now to organize all that wrapping paper neatly away – here’s five gift wrap storage solutions for you to consider. Happy holidays!

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Read full story By on December 16, 2009 in Christmas, holiday decor, home organization

Our Christmas Fireplace Mantel

After giving ideas on decorating a fireplace mantel for Christmas, I have decided to share images of my own mantel dressed up for the holidays. It’s an eclectic look, but I love it.

The beautiful oil painting of the turquoise Imperial Horse {by my grandmother} is displayed year-around. Live pine and fir garland is hung around the fireplace to balance the look.

Festive red ornaments and winter berries are added to branches.

Pinecones, vintage clowns, miniature trees and tea lights line the mantel.

A golden bird ornament perched on pine branches mirrors the bird on the Chinese vase.

What do you have displayed on your mantel for the holidays?

*images from Simplified Bee

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Read full story By on December 14, 2009 in Christmas, holiday decor, mantels

Holiday Decor: Ideas for Decorating the Mantel for Christmas

Decorating our homes for Christmas is a wonderful way to catch the spirit of the holiday season. Because the fireplace is in many instances the focal point of a room and Santa’s big entrance, decorating it with holiday décor is a must. Here are everyday tips on decorating your fireplace mantel and a few basic elements you may want to incorporate when creating your Christmas look:

* Display holiday stockings {with care}.
* Hang a live wreath over or garland around a mirror on the wall.

* Lay or hang live garland or pine branches along the mantel.
Continue to add and layer holiday items – pinecones, ornaments, candles, ribbon, seashells – that best communicate your design style.

Here’s a collection of mantels decorated in a variety of styles for the Christmas holiday. From opulent to simple, classic to rustic, and monochromatic to colorful, hopefully you will find one that inspires you.
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Read full story By on December 2, 2009 in Christmas, holiday decor, mantels

Christmas Decorating with Nutcrackers

As early as 1800, standing wooden nutcrackers in the form of soldiers and kings were found in Germany and in 1830, the term “Nussknacker” appeared in the dictionary of the Brothers Grim. In 1872 Wilhelm Füchtner, also known as the “father of the nutcracker,” created the first commercial nutcrackers.

Today many wooden toy soldier nutcrackers are still manufactured in Germany. Each year interest is renewed by the productions of the Nutcracker Ballet. By the way, there are still tickets available to the San Francisco Ballet’s version – it’s excellent!

Here are some examples of classic wooden nutcrackers dressed in their holiday finest. From left to right: Williams Sonoma Home, Gump’s and D. Blümchen & Company.

Today, collectors can now find hundreds of designs. Here are some of my favorite non-traditional nutcracker dolls. From left to right – White Rabbit, Beekeeper and Hamlet from The Nutcracker Christmas Shop and the Salty and Santa with Sleigh from Gump’s.

Crate & Barrel’s set of silver and gold nutcracker ornaments would look terrific on any Christmas tree.

How about a gingerbread nutcracker covered in holiday confections? yum.

These festive nutcracker place mats from Gump’s would make any table setting magical.

Holiday desserts would be served in style on these handsome set of nutcracker bone-china plates.

Nutcracker salt & pepper shakers from Lillian Vernon would make a great addition to any nutcracker collection.

Do you collect nutcrackers?

* images courtesy of Gump’s, Martha Stewart, Lillian Vernon, Crate & Barrel, SF Ballet, Williams Sonoma Home, The Nutcracker Christmas Shop and D. Blümchen & Company

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Read full story By on November 30, 2009 in Christmas, holiday decor, home accessories