Christmas Archives - Page 21 of 26 - Feathers in Our Nest

Brown Paper Packages Tied up with String

December 1, 2010 by Aliesha

As a friend said in a recent vlog about creative gift packaging, “If you make the packaging right, you could give somebody dirt from your backyard and they would love it!” I really think that’s true! So much of gift-giving can be in the packaging. The packaging can elevate a gift from ho-hum to WOW with just a few simple touches.

Here are three fun ideas for you to try as you wrap gifts for Christmas this year!

1. Fabric bags
These work great for family members, since you can reuse them every year. Just make some simple drawstring bags in varying sizes, and continue to add to your collection each year or as your family grows! (If you want to make it even easier, skip the drawstring and instead make a “pillowcase” out of fabric and tie a ribbon around the neck. Even easier: use pinking shears so you don’t have to hem the top!) I have made a couple of these this year, but I’ll watch for fabric on sale at the end of this season so I can make some more. Note: If you have nosy children (and what child isn’t around Christmas?), don’t put these under the tree until Christmas morning, since they make peeking waaaay to easy!

image source

2. Brown paperI think gifts wrapped in plain brown paper (you can use mailing paper or recycled paper bags) look so vintage and fun! You can get creative with the embellishments. You can jazz-up these gifts with handmade tags (computer printouts, rubber stamps, scrapbook paper, etc.), baker’s twine, fabric scraps, wired ribbon, recycled bows, paint, rubber stamps, and much more! My favorite look, though, is a classic bow tied with baker’s twine and a simple gift tag.

3. Garnish!
To the untrained eye, Garnish sells a lot of small cardboard boxes. To someone with a little imagination and creativity, they sell much more! Garnish offers a wide selection of boxes, bags, twine, and tissue paper (as well as cups, bowls, and party ware) that are the perfect starting point for packaging gifts, particularly baked goods and other handmade items. I’ve posted a complete review on SIMPLE today, so go check it out! (There’s also a coupon code you can use through 12/31/10!)

I want to hear from you…
What are your favorite ways to wrap presents?

A Unique Advent Book

November 30, 2010 by Aliesha

Do you celebrate Advent (a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth) in your family? Growing up, my family always did Advent readings. I remember at least one year where we got to do crafts as part of Advent, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also enjoyed getting to light the candles!

One of my family’s favorite Advent books is actually a storybook that directs you in reading aloud one chapter a day until Christmas. This book is called Jotham’s Journey, and it tells the story of a shepherd boy who encounters all kinds of adventures leading up to the birth of Christ. It’s very exciting and your family won’t want you to stop at the end of each chapter!

You can find Jotham’s Journey on Amazon. (And, there are two other books by the same author: Bartholomew’s Passage and Tabitha’s Travels for after you read Jotham’s Journey.)

I want to hear from you…
How does your family celebrate Advent?

Peppermint Biscotti

November 30, 2010 by Aliesha

Forget your preconceived notions that biscotti is difficult or time-consuming to make. This recipe is so simple that it makes having biscotti with your coffee almost too attainable. It is the perfect addition to a holiday party, so go make a batch right now! Your guests will thank me. Original recipe found here (pictures and instructions are my own).

Peppermint Biscotti

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. peppermint extract
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
chocolate chips, optional
crushed peppermints, optional

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Using parchment paper, line a baking sheet. Beat together eggs, sugar, and peppermint extract. Stir in the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Dough will be very stiff. Divide dough into two parts and roll into rectangles 1/2 inch thick. Rectangles should be approximately 9″x4″. Lay rectangles on parchment paper and bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then cut into 1/2 inch thick slices (4 inches long) with a serrated bread knife. Return to oven (with the cut sides laying up) and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes. Cool completely. (Optional: Dip ends of biscotti in melted chocolate chips and roll in crushed peppermints.)