Pretty packaging simplified: Solid color paper...twine...sticker in lieu of bows & name tags.
Ordinary soaps (store bought or homemade) become special when you package them with love and...buttons.
Inexpensive match boxes (with matches) become charming gifts when you cover them with scraps of wrapping paper...or...vintage/vintage style papers. They are a perfect accompaniment to gifts such as...
Pine cone & paraffin fire starters (store bought or homemade)...
...as are herb bundle fire~starters composed of dried thyme...rosemary...sage...& pepper held together with paraffin and nestled into recycled egg crates or mini peet pots. Break one off and use in the barbecue to add flavor while you grill...or use in the fireplace to scent the room!
Speaking of herbs...
...use them dried or fresh to create your own tea bags...steep a cup for yourself as you package it for your Gift Pantry!
And what better gift to give along with that lovely, home~grown tea than a home~baked pie...with the pretty pie plate as part of the gift! To learn how to make the perfect pie crust click HERE!
A lovely token gift for the crafter/sewer in your life (or a little one who loves to sort) is a special button jar!
If you have some bits of ticking lying about perhaps stitch~up a simple bag holder for the kitchen! To make fold a rectangle of fabric long ways...sew together...hem bottom and top (leave openings to add a drawstring)...thread ribbons one both sides and gather! This is a project even non~sewers could easily take on. Even more simple...purchase a charming one like this example from HERE !
As you're already stocking your gift pantry you'll want to remember to add packaging supplies as well!
And don't forget the birdies! You can make your own version of this simple bird feeder or... find one HERE!
Ornaments are always lovely when given as token gifts! This sweetheart wreath is composed of buttons threaded together with a light gauge wire...so simple...so charming
As is our classic idea of re~purposing chandelier crystals as tree ornaments (first introduced in Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons, Bantam Books, NY, 2000)
As I mentioned earlier, it's never too early to begin stocking your Gift Pantry! Put on some holiday music...enjoy the frugal luxury of candlelight using your prettiest recycled bottles as candle holders...and start your creations! Caution: Never leave candles unattended and keep away from small hands and flammables, of course!
Love and Good Thoughts to All!
Warmly,
Tracey and Family
x0x
P.S. Thanks to Terri for reminding me to include the following sources for the muslin tea bags!
SOURCES & OPTIONS FOR MUSLIN TEA BAGS
http://www.giftsintl.com/muslinbag.php This company sells 3x4 inch drawstring muslin bags for 16~cents each (in packs of 24)
http://www.sunburstbottle.com/bags/tea-muslin
All images borrowed from the wonderful online catalog of: A Decorative Home — Cox & Cox, the difference between house and home. If you're at all familiar with my books you'll recognize that they are most definitely kindred spirits! Please stop by their amazing Site as I know your creative juices and holiday spirit will be ignited!!!
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22 comments:
I actually started my Xmas baking and shopping:) I am certain to be very inspired here..I love the idea of all the different packagings:)
Lots of great ideas, especially the herb bundle fire starters. Thanks for sharing.
Oh my gosh, I am totally bookmarking this, Tracey! What great ideas! I especially like the idea of giving a pie along with a pie plate. Very, very cool -- thank you for the great ideas!
Angie
Another lovely post by our fabulous Tracey! Where do you get those bags for homemade tea?
Thanks Tracey for all the great ideas...will get my creative juices flowing again..need to do cheap this year, but still want to be special for my loved ones..
Thank you so much for the kind compliment La Table de Nana! I am so looking forward to seeing what you are doing for the holiday!
Warmly,
Tracey
x0x
Hi Lorrie! I thought those little herb fire~starters were so clever too (I borrowed the idea from Cox and Cox catalog)! I've made herb bundle fire~starters for decades, but they were simply tiny bundles of dried herb stems wrapped with raffia and kept in a basket. We used them with kindling and also to scent the fire! We did a post on them last year near Christmas on the FLSeasons blog!
Warmly,
Tracey
x0x
Well thank you very much Angie!!! It's a true compliment to be bookmarked! Regarding pie plates as gifts...I collect them whenever I can at yard sales...thrift shops...flea markets...I also buy new ones well priced...and then give them as gifts...filled with homemade pies! You can also make the crusts ahead of time and freeze them in the pie plates (if you have the room in your freezer:). If you click on the link in this post for making the perfect pie crust there's a paragraph or two about how to do this!
Thanks again.
Love,
Tracey
x0x
You are so kind Terri!!! I appreciate the good thoughts and the question about the tea bags! I've posted some great source links for both buying and making those muslin tea bags!
Warmly,
Tracey
x0x
Hi BettyAnn...I think most of us are in a similar situation regarding the holiday budget (at least I am :)! That's what got me started on this post...these were ideas I am putting together for my own gift baskets!!!
Can't wait to see how your projects turn out.
Love,
Tracey
x0x
Hi Clarice!!! I knew you'd enjoy these inspirations!
Love,
Tracey
x0x
P.S.Can't wait to get your book!!!
I am loving your gift ideas! Last Xmas I made a lot of homemade gifts... but left it until the last minute, and I was swamped with work! So I want to get going a bit earlier this time and also start looking out for gift wrapping ideas as I thrift (looking out for vintage paper, tins, tags, etc.) I really love the cute ideas you've shared here. It's getting me in the mood for Xmas already ! :)
So smart SQ!!! I especially love that you're including gift wrap ideas already...I'm a vintage tins and pillowcases girl from way back too...and I love love love the fact that they can be reused from year to year!
Love,
Tracey
x0x
I always enjoy the images you collect for your blog posts. This one is no different. So many wonderful ideas!! I especially love the herb bundle fire-starters! How clever. I think I might try something like that for my folks who heat their home with a wood cooking stove. Thanks for always brightening my day. :)
Hi Christy! Thanks so much for the good words...I'm so happy you're inspired by these ideas as I was! That's a great idea about using the fire~starter/herb bundles in a wood cook stove! I hadn't thought of that one!
Love,
Tracey
x0x
I love all of these ideas and am so glad I'm not the only one looking forward to holiday gift giving season! That tiny little button heart is so adorable! Thanks for sharing. :)
I'm glad I'm not the only one Diana!!! I'm a little obsessed sometimes...the family always gets embarrassed when I'm playing holiday music in October (my official start date...but any time of the year works for me...it makes me happy :).
Warmly,
Tracey
x0x
P.S. I tried to visit your blog but can't get past the wordpress sign up page for some reason...will try again!
oops...I meant to write Diane (with an "e")! I suppose I was subconsciously thinking of Diana Berry from "Anne of Green Gables"! :)
I always enjoy your gift pantry ideas and the simple packaging is perfect! Thank you.
Jody
I decided I should get going on my Christmas projects in August...well, now it's October. I should get going on that.
Thanks for so many fun ideas. My brain is percolating with things I have around the house and have wanted to get creative with for a while.
You're so funny Kalanicut! So much for "....best laid plans" as they say. I am loving your current post on the Maus Haus as well as your "I am enough" contribution on Tracey Clarke's blog.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Warmly,
Tracey
x0x
Thank you so much Jody! You have such inspiring ideas on your blog as well (I'm remembering your peppermint tea and homemade vanilla from last? winter)! Also, wanted to say Congratulations on the two babies you'll be welcoming next year! Your list of projects is inspiring...if not daunting!
Warmly,
Tracey
x0x
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