As I stare at the mountain of gift wrap in the wake of opening our Christmas presents, I cringe at the thought of throwing all of that pretty paper away. The ribbons I always keep, but the paper? I know I will never re-use it to wrap another gift (it would be so clear that was what I did!) so what else can I do with it?
Before throwing out all that decorative paper, check out these ideas on how to “recycle” the wrap:
Create Liners
Use the paper to line drawers (just test first to make sure the ink does not rub off on anything) or a serving tray (great idea from Martha!).
Tray Liners idea from Martha Stewart Living
Cut into Squares
Use the squares for origami or set a stack by the phone for notes. Keep some on hand for craft projects with children.
Cover Books or Journals
I’ve been really into covering books lately (which totally takes me back to high school when I covered all my books with paper bags and drew all over them!). Wrapping paper is the perfect decorative cover for your reading material.
Frame it
If it is particularly high quality and aesthetically grabbing, make it into a wall hanging by framing it. An inexpensive way to add a splash of color to your wall.
Make Cards or Embellish Gifts
Save the paper in your gift wrap stash. Use cut outs of the paper to embellish homemade cards or use a strip of the paper to add a layer of wrap to a gift.
Embellish a Box
Paper-Source is a great go-to resource for all-things-paper. I am digging their clever idea of using wrapping paper to embellish the top of a gift box. Click on the photo to be directed to the “how-to.”
I popped into Anthropologie yesterday looking for some Christmas gifts. No luck on the gifts, but I did fall in love with their display in the front of the store featuring playing cards as holiday decor.
Punched cards were used as garland, gift tags, and even sewn together as a runner. So clever — and inexpensive to re-create at home!
playing card garland draped across the "fireplace"
garland adorns the tree
playing cards cut into circles are sewn together with red thread to make a simple garland
a playing card accompanies a "to/from" gift tag and red bow -- great for topping a present
Wreaths are a beautiful way to decorate one’s home for Christmas. There are plenty of store-bought options out there, but why not try to create one yourself, customizing it to your home and decor? Click on the photos below for DIY instructions on how to make each lovely, festive wreath!
It’s funny — I love receiving gift certificates (what’s not to love about free money to spend at a store or place I love?) but I always feel like such a gift-giving failure if I give a gift certificate.
If you’ve been as reluctant to give a gift-certificate like I am, these DC-area services may change your mind. Unique, tailored to the individual, and thoughtful, I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t be jumping for joy if they unwrapped one of these this holiday season.
Interior Design — Owner Malena Kaplan of One Pretty House Interiors offers gift certificates for interior decorating, interior redesign, and personal shopping services. What a great gift for a newlywed, someone who just moved into a new home, or a friend who is struggling to decorate their home!
Image Consulting — Give the gift of style with a gift certificate for personal image and fashion consulting. Styleateur offers a variety of services that help clients project their best image.
Art Classes — Is there an art lover or artist on your list? Help them hone their craft at The Corcoran Gallery of Art. The Gallery has a wonderful set of course offerings from sculpture to printmaking to art education.
Local Getaway — Is there someone on your list that needs a weekend getaway? Stone Manor Country Club just north of Frederick, Maryland is the perfect escape. Nestled in the countryside, this charming B&B offers peace and tranquility to all its guests.
Cooking Classes — What gourmand would not love the gift of culinary education? Classes offered at L’Acdemie de Cuisine or Culinaerie would be a wonderful treat for any home cook.
Personal Fitness — Just in time for the new year, one-on-one personal fitness classes are are perfect gift for anyone on your list — from health nut to couch potato! Fit One Studio in Alexandria offers some great options for fitness training gift certificates.
Entertaining Consulting — I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Rex & Regina offers gift certificates, also! They are perfect for newlyweds who are just beginning to entertain, veteran entertainers who want to know the latest trends in entertaining, or anyone who wants to take their at-home hospitality to another level.
The holidays are upon us and that means our calendars are full with lots and lots of parties. Just as a gracious host is always prepared to entertain his or her guests, a good guest never shows up empty-handed to a soiree.
Should you opt for bringing wine (a perfectly lovely hostess gift) to one or more of the holiday parties you attend this year, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
1) Don’t expect them to serve it.
A host is not required to open a bottle that a guest brings as a gift to a party — especially if they have already gone to great lengths to pair wine to their menu. A guest should never be upset if the wine is not served right away.
I did get a chuckle out of Lettie Teague’s column in the December issue of Food & Wine (her columns are always so fun to read), in which she says she is generally disappointed when hosts don’t open the bottles she brings. (Note: If Lettie Teague ever brought a bottle of wine to my house, you can be darn sure I’d open it on the spot!)
Ms. Teague came up a with a few clever wine-giving strategies, some of which she specifically designed to help ensure the hosts opens the bottle:
Bring champagne — it’s such a celebratory beverage and its easy for a host to re-gift (not a horrible thing!)
Select a wine with broad appeal — like Pinot Noir from California, Oregon, France or Argentina
Tell them in advance – let your guests know if you plan to bring a very special bottle and always ask what they are serving to make sure the wine will complement the menu
Present the wine ready to serve — chill the champagne or a white in advance if that is what you are bringing
Bring a magnum — a large bottle “demands to be shared,” says Lettie. And what host would be so greedy as to not open such a generous bottle!
2) Transport it carefully
Keep the wine at the proper temperature and protect it from breaking when you transport it by carrying it in an insulated wine tote. I like this one:
Built NY Double Wine Bottle Carrier, available from WineStuff.com
3) Presentation is key
It’s a gift right? So why not make it pretty?!
There are so many fabulous wine gift bags out there these days, you may just want to stock up on a few and keep them on hand for gift giving.
"Cheers" wine gift bag, available from The Craft Pantry on Etsy
Solo Felt Wine Bag, available at www.bambeco.com
organza wine bags from Gumps
Built NY Fishnet One-Bottle Wine Tote available from Ecobags
Are you a chocoholic? Do you have friends that are chocoholics? Then you should not read further at the risk of completely falling off the wagon.
I mean, what could be more sinful and delicious than hot chocolate — on a stick!! Simply stir the chocolate into a cup of hot milk and enjoy. I love it! What a great gift these would make for the chocolate lover on your list this holiday season.
Thanksgiving dinner is a meal we look forward to all year long. My husband and I buy a humongous turkey just so we can have a mountain of leftovers. Our menu is always ten times larger than it needs to be — how can you exclude even one of the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes?!
I love this fabulous idea for packing up leftovers to send home with your guests. The simple boxes and the grosgrain ribbon make a stylish statement. What a thoughtful way to send your guests home with Thanksgiving treats!
Stylish containers for Thanksgiving Leftovers, from Country Living
Whether you are a bride hoping to save money by doing flowers yourself or a newlywed wanting to dress up yournest for the holidays, one of my favorite DC-area floral design studios has the perfect solution: fabulous and fun workshops!
Petal’s Edge recently announced the following upcoming floral design classes. To register call 703.518.8488. Space is limited so reserve your spot soon!
Petal's Edge centerpieces from a Rex & Regina wedding; photo courtesy of Chris Baltazar
Bridal Bootcamp. Want to save money but feel insecure about your ability to provide a professional look to your wedding flowers? Join this intense one-day, weekend workshop and learn how to arrange flowers with industry experts. Course covers flower selection and care, design tips, and common mistakes. $150 per person, which includes the cost of flowers and box lunch.
Flower School. Love flowers and want more experience? This series of classes takes place over three evenings and is appropriate to the person who wants to learn about how to buy, care for, and arrange flowers. Several methods of flower arranging will be covered. Classes are hands-on with flowers that students take home after class. $250 per person. Wednesday – Friday, December 2 – 4 or December 9 – 11. 6 – 9 pm.
Winter Workshop. Join us for holiday-inspired flower arranging projects. Take one class or both. Course includes the cost of flowers, all supplies, and a holiday masterpiece to take home. $100 per session or $150 for two.Floral Topiary: November 30, 6 pm. Use an uninterrupted mass of carnations to create a festive tabletop tree. Dining table centerpiece: December 7, 6 p.m. Winter fruits and vegetables add a conversation piece to this unusual pairing of flowers and holiday greens.
