Just in time for Valentine’s Day, here is a sweet DIY project to create a paper heart wreath. A heart-shaped punch from a craft supply store is critical for this one!
paper heart wreath via Better Homes & Gardens
Thanks to Ellinée, you can make New Year’s Eve party hats just in time for the big night. These look simple to make — and so festive!
free party hat printables from Ellinée
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
J-O-Y cookies via $5 Dinners
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. Alphabet cookie cutters + sugar cookie dough + tissue paper + cute box = JOYful gift!
Ring in 2012 with style using these creative New Year’s entertainment ideas! Serve drinks with a fun tinsel stirrer to add some sparkle and shine to your party.
Tinsel Drink Stirrer by Martha Stewart
For dessert, try making these fun ball drop cupcakes or arranging a cheescake bar buffet with an assortment of sauces and toppings.
Ball Drop Cupcakes
Cheesecake Bar Buffet by Southern Living
These free retro printables from Ellinee can enhance your festive party decor.
Retro New Year's Printables by Ellinee
Retro New Year's Printables Template
For easy noisemakers, fill clear ornaments with colorful foods such as popcorn, jelly beans, or pink peppercorns. Noisemakers can be placed in a bowl or vase to serve as a centerpiece until the countdown to the stroke of midnight begins.
Ornament Noisemakers by Rachel Ray
Still looking for that perfect gift for that special someone? Check out these helpful holiday gift guides.
GOOP Holiday Gift Guide – Gwyneth Paltrow’s curated website provides a list of ideas for Women, Men, The Home, and Kids
Tasting Table’s Holiday Gift Guide — Tasting Table offers ideas for foodies and culinary buffs
Rachel Zoe’s Holiday Gift Guide – The trendsetter and fashionista offers great ideas for the fashionable friend in your life
Martha Stewart’s Holiday Gift Guide – Martha Stewart editors share gift ideas for Him, Her, Kids, and Stocking Stuffers
Men’s Health Holiday Gift Guide – The magazine offers a long list of ideas for men’s gifts – great for those hard-to-buy-for men!
Happy Gift Giving!
Here is a roundup of free gift tag printables that will dress up your holiday gifts this year! Click on the pictures below to view websites with links to the templates. Enjoy!
Typographic Gift Tags by Eat Drink Chic
Holiday Gift Tags by Jones Design Company
Rustic Wood Type Holiday Gift Tags by Ellinee
Holiday Gift Tags by Whisker Graphics
Holiday Gift Tags by PaperSeed
Holiday Gift Tags by Domestifluff
Holiday Gift Tags by Paper Crave
Instead of bringing the standard bottle of wine to holiday parties this year, try some of these unique hostess gift ideas that will surely brighten up the season!
Holiday Spreaders from Williams-Sonoma
Holiday Banner Cookie-Bar Pan by Crate & Barrel
Four Seasons Dishtowel Set by Terrain
Antique Soap Dishes by Pottery Barn
Moroccan Lantern Candle Holder by Paper Source
Vintage Silverware Magnets by Ballard Designs
Wine Thermometer by Sur la Table
Knit Cozy Mugs by Leif - perfect when paired with hot chocolate mix!
Want to add some festive flair to your holiday gifts this year? Here are some creative packaging ideas from Martha Stewart that promise to do just that!
For packaging holiday cookies and other baked goods, try making these easy envelopes and tins using the clip-art templates provided (click pictures below to open links).
Cookie Envelopes
Doily Tins
Recycle last year’s holiday cards by transforming them into colorful gift box toppers.
Cheerful Gift Boxes
Instead of ribbon, try embellishing gifts with decorative tape made from traditional Japanese washi paper that comes in a variety of fun graphic designs. Tape can be purchased online from happytape.
Decorative Holiday Tape
Personalize gift cards with these fabric-covered envelopes and onament-shaped holders.
Gift Card Holders
Each year, I promise to buy an Advent calendar or make some sort of Advent countdown and each year it never happens. So this year, I vowed to do it.
I knew I wanted to make a countdown instead of a calendar and I also wanted to use materials I already had in the house. I happen to have an embarrassing amount of cylinder vases and thought I might try to utilize those. So I picked 25 vases of varying heights and set them on my sideboard. I found a fun font (try www.dafont.com or www.fontspace.com for some free ones) and printed out numerals from 1 to 25. I cut them in small rectangles and affixed them to the cylinders using double-sided tape.
I then printed out Bible verses for each day and cut them so that they would rest in a place card holder. In the picture below, you will see Day 1′s scripture verse set to the side in the holder.
The plan is to fill each vase with water and set a floating candle in the top, lighting each one as Advent progresses day by day. I currently have them all set on the sideboard, but I could just as easily break them up into groupings and set them around the house.
There it is! My quick, easy Advent Countdown!
The Rex & Regina Blog shares both trendy and traditional ways to extend gracious hospitality through weddings, other social occasions, and at-home entertaining. Learn more about Rex & Regina.