Brown Paper Packages Tied up with String

During the holidays, gifts are often wrapped in the standard bright reds and greens. The metallics are also very popular as are the cute Santa and chubby snowman prints. However, I have a lot of birthdays to wrap for during the holidays and frankly the traditional wrapping paper can get a little mundane. So I’ve been turning to the anti-holiday paper to wrap my other gifts: brown paper. There is nothing shiny or bright about it. Although brown paper may seem boring and unimaginative, it has the potential to be so sweet and chic. Tie it up with string, yarn or pastel ribbon and it sort of looks like something from a French market. When the outside is so sweet, you know the inside will be even better!

Anthropologie's Holiday Wrapping 2009 and 2008

A Little Something Extra

During the holidays, gift cards are often exchanged. Although they aren't the most thought out or personal of gifts, sometimes they are the easiest option. Especially for the picky person on your list or the person that you don't know very well, etc. Regardless of the stigma, everyone loves receiving a gift card because you have the freedom to get what you want and not worry about the hassle involved with returning or exchanging gifts.

I just participated in a Secret Santa gift exchange with some girlfriends and sure enough the person that I chose, my dearest friend IY, only had gift cards on her wish list. As much as I wanted to give her something more fun and thought out, I knew that the gift card was exactly what she wanted. Plus I don't think I've ever seen her use or wear a single gift that I've given her, and I've known her for 10 years people!! (Don't worry IY, I'm not offended and I still love you!) So that is why this year I got her exactly what she wanted and to make it just a tad more personal, I baked her chocolate chip cookies too! I made an envelope out of holiday wrapping paper to put the card in and tied it all together with some festive ribbon. Easy, cute and more thoughtful than handing over a piece of plastic.

Housewarming Gifts

Housewarming and host gifts are so fun! I love giving them and I love receiving them. While plants and bottles of wine work great as housewarming gifts, I always enjoy receiving things that are more unique and more personal. In the past I've appreciated scented candles or useful kitchen gadgets. Another gift I like to give is a first aid kit. I feel that it is something every household needs, but very few have. It might be especially handy in LA where everyone is anticipating the "Big One."

Today I went to visit my friend AY who just moved into an adorable house. He got a board game as a housewarming gift, so hopefully he'll host some future game nights! I had a lot of fun wrapping the game and creating a gift tag that depicted his home per Google Maps!

What do you guys like to give or get as housewarming gifts?

Gift Giving

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love giving gifts. It is definitely a behavior that my sisters and I have learned from my mother. She is one of the most generous people I know. She would give gifts for every occasion and holiday. My friends would joke that she would even give gifts for Ground Hogs Day.

However, I don't just love the giving part, but I truly enjoy the selection part and the wrapping part. Pretty paper, tags and ribbons are those little things in life that make people happy. I aspire one day to have a room in my home solely dedicated to crafts and gift wrapping like Candy Spelling had. I know my Middle Sister probably feels the same way. She's a gift wrapping fiend! Even as a child, the rest of the family would hand her gifts to wrap.

Any package will look better with just a little ribbon and flourish. Homemade gift tags are super easy with just a little cardstock and a hole punch. I love fun wrapping paper, but sometimes brown paper adds a nice rustic touch. Homemade cards are also nice because they add a personal touch. Here are some pictures of cards and gifts that I've given in the past.

Easy way to personalize a gift

 

This was given to a friend who worked with me doing animal therapy. Yes, we worked with snakes!

For my turtle-loving friend on her birthday