Gift Wrapping With Friends

A College Gift Basket: Follow One Parent's Experience

2010-05-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

I’ve always thought that giving someone a gift or gift basket was a pretty good way to celebrate a special occasion. And one of those is surely sending a daughter or son off to college. This is a family milestone that has everyone emotionally involved. No amount of preparation is complete when the time comes to leave the nest but for mom and dad it sure is the beginning of a brand new chapter.

And at that time of the year, cars full of teens and all their personal belongings are pulling up to college campuses to transfer everything to a space that will be their new home. It makes for a long day but it all gets done somehow. It makes for a long day but it all gets done somehow. And what follows, soon after, is a stream of care packages filled with urgently needed items.

Fixing up a new room to make it comfortable and with a new look will be an early project. Once all the roommates get acquainted they can pool their ideas and resources and get down to mapping out how to decorate their new space. Moms are usually called in at this point to help supply some of the things needed.

In addition to the “much needed” stuff that needs to be sent, it’s a good opportunity for mom to think about sending a welcome present like a college gift basket.. I was glad I did, it was a big icebreaker for a group of young people who might be about to begin lifelong friendships.

If you have a friend that can recommend a basket maker, you can go with that. But it’s just as easy to search the internet for a college gift basket to fit your needs and price range. Keep an eye out for what is popular, which could be a simple movie night theme or a wholesome basket of fruits and cheeses. Searching mail order sites will also give you ideas for care packages of your own.

A look around the internet and you will soon be collecting your own ideas for popular themes with the dorm set. One of these might be a 1-cup coffee maker for the coffee lovers gift basket. Keep a drawer full of novelties and craft tools and it will be easy to add a touch of fun. I always have something like a handmade card, finger puppets or moon pies in my college baskets. It might inspire you to throw in a wind up toy, a cute finger puppet monkey or an etch-a-sketch as a way to put a light spin on things.

You probably have your own memories of homesickness and care packages during those college days. I knew kids who got them as regular as clockwork, the same day every week. For me, those college gift baskets help when money was tight and made me laugh with some of the funny things mom would tuck away in them. For me that box was home.

Gift Baskets for College - How-to Tips You Can Use

2010-03-25T10:50:00.000-07:00

If you have kid away at college and you want to punctuate all those phone calls with something special, I have a suggestion from my friend Dena, I would like to pass on: Care packages from home make a big hit. Whether it's a delivered college gift basket or a box from home, with wrapping tape all over doesn't matter - it can be anything and the gesture will be just as warm. The idea of getting some homemade cookies or other snacks along with the toothpaste, aspirin, bath mat and other practical things is always something that college kids love.

Something else that might be appreciated: One-cup coffee makers are a big hit with those who need a jolt in the morning as well as anyone trying to study late into the night. So consider a mini-coffee maker as one of your gift basket items - it’s a good way to reach out with a coffee lovers gift basket surprise.

We know how popular and important it is to keep the brain focused for those long study sessions so maybe you can stock the shelf with a few other items like cocoa, tea and power bars to keep the brain working past midnight.

Of course something from the cookie jar, like homemade chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal or even those famous Oreos would surely be appreciated. Cookies survive the mail pretty well if they are cushioned with plastic peanuts or air bags.

Add a gift card to that basket - cards are easy to make once you realize all it takes is a couple old magazines, scissors and a glue stick. Of course a 4X5 envelope (even used will do, just doctor it up) and a couple of sheets of colored paper. Rubber stamps are always helpful but potatoes and erasures will work as a quick way to make your own.

Where do ideas come from? You can get off to a good start by going for the wacky look. Paste cutout faces or just lips on a stick figures. Or pictures of something ordinary, like a spoon or sugar packet and draw arms and legs, then add word balloons. The sillier the better.

It’s all good fun and hard to beat when there is someone wishing they could spend some time with family back home. Put your "what would my teen like" thinking cap on and see what you come up with. If you are short on time, try an online service that specializes in college gift baskets, it's an easy way to send your message.

Gift Basket Ideas for College Thoughts

2010-01-02T15:32:00.000-08:00

Sending a kid off to college is an emotional milestone and a college gift basket is a good way to make this new experience go a little smoother. By adding care packages to all those calls and letters you will be sending, you can do you part to help him or her to settle into their new campus life.

There are many online companies ready with baskets for this situation. Do a little search and you will soon find a suitable basket to perk up someone's day. May of these college gift baskets are geared to the trends of this age group, so as you are shopping, take note of items that might be useful when you are looking for ways to add variety to the packages you will be sending on to college.

Themes are often a fun way put together a gift basket. For instance, a single cup coffee maker might fit nicely with biscotti or quick fix muffins, if the rules allow hot plate or kitchens are available. Coffee makers are easy to clean and don't take up much space.

We know how crazy study schedules can be, so this is where having snacks on hand can help keep students to the books rather than slipping out. Cocoa is another favorite of the dorm crowd and will fit nicely in a college gift basket, as well as an assortment of teas. Tea has a long history as a health drink, so encourage your student to drink more, it’s an easy way to help ward off sickness.

And of course a package from home should include something from the cookie jar - everyone has a favorite. Oatmeal and peanut butter are two that rate up there with the traditional chocolate chip. You can start you own test kitchen by trying out new recipes on a sure to appreciate your work audience.

Whether it is an online college gift basket or package from home the thought counts. Even the smallest item, like a greeting card or clippings from the local paper help span the distance. Try your hand at a do-it-yourself card. All it takes is a glue stick and scissors. Let your creative side loose, try your hand at newspaper comics with new word balloons for giggles. No matter how wacky or primitive it may seem to you, it will be a big hit to someone far away at college.

Many moms have found that keeping a notebook handy for jotting down gifting ideas works well. It’s all good fun and every one of these cards, parcels and gift baskets that arrive on a college doorstep will be fondly remembered.

More thoughts about college gift baskets:
College Gift Baskets resource 1
College Gift Baskets resource 2

Easter eggs - A time to get creative

2009-04-07T05:15:00.000-07:00

Easter snuck up on us, so before it gets any later I want to show you some Easter egg decorating ideas we came up with last year that resulted in a fantastic pre-teen party and our discovery that you can even use Easter eggs to decorate gift wrapping.

Decorating Easter eggs is an annual event at our house but we've had to make some changes as our children get older. Last year we turned it into a pre-teen Easter Egg Decorating Party and it was such a success we’re doing it again this year. The idea was to have a fun time decorating with craft products. If you have the materials, you can do the same.

The results were much “splashier” than previous years since we decided to forego the usual dip-it-in-the-food-coloring-dye. After seeing the colorful results, we decided the eggs might make fun package decorations as well. Since we were using plastic eggs, it seems that these could be used with bows or even as replacements for bows on a wrapped gift.

We all had so much fun that we want to share these ideas with you and we'll start with how it all came about, from the original teen "can we have a party?" pleading down to the final decorating of packages with our finished eggs. We hope you'll try it, too, because the best part is that you'll have a great time with your children and their friends. I’ve included some pictures of a few of their finished eggs just for some ideas. Just remember that saying about beauty being in the eye of the beholder!

Our daughters (ages 10 and 13) wanted to have an Easter egg dying party similar to the cookie decorating party we have for them and their friends at Christmas. After negotiating attendee numbers, we decided to go for it and it was a huge success! Using plastic eggs, the girls had a great time gluing, glittering and decorating to create fabulous Easter eggs.

Even though you might have visions of gorgeous Martha Stewart-type decorated eggs, the reality is that these girls are into Hannah Montana style decorated Easter eggs. Most pre-teen girls are into the whole glitter, feather boas, purple, pink and black color scheme. You just gotta go with the flow, Mom!

It was a super-easy party to arrange and this was our supply list, some of which we already had on hand or other moms donated from previous craft projects:
· bags of colored plastic eggs – 18 to a bag, 99 cents each at Michaels Crafts and you only need about 6 eggs per girl
· a couple of bags of eggs in various shades of tan and cream, also from Michaels – these are optional as the colored plastic or metallic painted eggs were more popular
· 2 cans of Krylon metallic paint: shiny silver and gold
· embellishments – stuff to glue on the eggs including feathery ribbon (like miniature feather boas), colored tissue paper, small fabric flowers, tiny mirror pieces, rhinestones and sequins, glitter, metallic braids and ribbons, fancy yarns, beads, etc.
· 1 bottle of fast drying craft glue, several bottles of silver and gold glitter glue, scissors and one adult had a glue gun for special applications.
· jar lids or small plastic cups to hold glue
· lots of cheap watercolor brushes to apply glue – they come about 12 to a package and you need a minimum of 3 per girl but have some extras on hand

We used the plastic colored eggs because dying real eggs just doesn’t take very long and only requires the attention span of an average pre-schooler. Besides, we always seem to run out of appetite before we run out of hard boiled eggs at Easter time. As for blowing out raw eggs and using those – don’t even go there! We didn't want to make chocolate eggs, either, for various reasons.

It took a little prep work but with the daughters helping, it went quickly. We wanted to paint some of the eggs silver or gold and found it was much easier to do it when the eggs were open. The plastic eggs have a little dab of extra plastic acting as a hinge to keep the halves together.

We carefully opened the eggs so as not to break the hinge, placed the open edges flat on newspaper, sprayed just the outsides and then carefully slid them to clean newspaper so they wouldn’t stick while drying. The gold paint actually dried almost instantly; the silver usually took two applications.

Whole eggs have to sprayed in stages so it’s easier – and less time consuming - to spray them when opened. We left the pink, purple and blue eggs unpainted. We could’ve done lots more with paint but the idea was to give the girls an opportunity to express their creativity with the decorating.

On party day we covered the table with lots of newspaper and topped that with a sheet of brown paper. We set out bowls and baskets with all the embellishments plus small plastic cups – similar to the ones for catsup at McDonalds – for craft glue, along with watercolor brushes and a few pair of scissors. You can use jar lids for the glue if you don’t have any small cups.

Each girl only needs a tiny bit of glue at a time; just replenish as needed. Glitter glue was a real hit because it added glitz to the egg at the same time acting as glue for beads, etc. We also had a few pair of tweezers handy to help with picking up and placing beads but they’re optional.

Helpful hint: I put sand in large plastic cups – one cup for each girl – and they used these to stick their brushes in, handle first, while not in use. This way their gluey brushes didn’t stick to the paper or get glue on anything else, including their sleeves.

When they were little, the girls decorated eggs with cotton balls and construction paper ears to look like bunnies. Now that they’re older, we went with dazzle and glitz and to help get them started, we showed them pictures of jeweled eggs. While these were probably a little too sedate for them, they loved the idea of decorating eggs like the famous Faberge eggs.

Faberge Eggs Imperial Russian Fantasies Poster Book

We provided bottles of water and cupcakes for snacking. The whole party was inexpensive, took up most of the afternoon and the clean up was negligible. The girls had so much fun making their beautiful creations to take home and those eggs (and remembering the fun they had making them) will last for years. The other moms thought it was a great party, too, particularly since we all know there won’t be many more opportunities like these as our children get older and have more activities on their calendars.

At the end of the day - and after the girls left - we were about out of steam but still had lots of creative ideas running around in our brains. So, we decided to take our ideas one step further by adding the decorated eggs to Easter gift wrapping. It's always exciting to explore alternatives to traditional gift wrapping, so this was an unexpected post-party bonus.
If you're interested in having an Easter egg decorating party like this for your daughter/friends and want a little more info or suggestions, just e-mail me at MissDiezella@yahoo.com. and I’ll answer any questions from our personal experience, which is somewhat limited but maybe helpful.

Illustrating Easter with a look at Chinese cut paper

2009-04-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

Imagine walking through a doorway to the sight of an elaborate red paper cutout. In traditional Chinese culture it was common to place these papers over doorways and in windows where the contrast of sunlight would have a dramatic effect. These were handmade decorations that performed as beautification for the modest home. They also served as an aid to home schooling; used as a teaching aid for the young.

Mothers would instill important messages of character and morality with these cut papers. The idea is strong in symbolism; embedded in these artistic embellishments are familiar images to most Chinese. In a culture that mixes folklore and symbolism; paper cut into fanciful designs became the perfect medium to tell a story. Children grew up recognizing that flowers, fruit and animals had symbolic meaning in addition to their common status.

In addition to that there were mythical characters and beasts woven into folk tales that had a moral to be learned. In spite of Chairman Mau’s cultural revolution this culture survives and now the art of paper cutting, both in the old tradition and innovative new ways, lives on.

The Chinese have many visual symbols for birth, believing that the calendar has a strong influence on a person’s future.

As Easter approaches why not take a try at using this age-old paper-cutting technique for crafting a hand made card or gift-wrap. I think that it would be nice to blend the Chinese style of paper cutting with images that are familiar to Western culture. We too rely on symbols for our holiday traditions, and these can be easily applied to Easter decorations.

Western/Easter symbols
Easter - from Eastre, the Saxon Goddess of Spring
White lily - Purity, Virgin Mary
Lamb - symbol of sacrifice, symbol of Jewish Passover (escape from Egypt)
Candles - Jesus
Rabbits and eggs - pagan symbols of birth
Carnivals - time of gaiety before the fast of Lent
Colors - white, purple, green, red

You can find out more about this:
http://www.annieshomepage.com/symbols.html

Working with cut paper also has a place in Western culture, with, of course, a much shorter history. Before there was photography there was the popular practice of cutting paper silhouettes of loved ones to be framed or carried in a locket with a clip of hair.

Of course not all these very popular oval frames contained cut paper likenesses but it was one of the techniques employed by the talented to record the memory of someone dear. As art became freer and more diverse artists began to explore new ways of expression, like the technique of collage, where layers of paper and ephemera were add to the composition to make a modern look.

The idea of making a collage is a good fit in today’s culture. It’s relatively fast, it’s expression, it’s the opportunity to say something in your own unique way. So I hope you will use my invitation to explore this creative avenue the next time you feel the need to express yourself, or have want to make a creative gift-wrap or personalized gift card for someone special. There are many possibilities for you discover that go beyond the usual ribbon and bow.

Greeting card software

2009-03-26T06:04:00.000-07:00

If you are ready for something with a lot more punch, here is a program that is like tooth paste, you will want to use it every day. It’s not quite as easy as Jackson Pollock but you can pick up the basics pretty quick and do a card like this in about 15 minutes.

It’s Elements by Photoshop. I bought my copy at Target for $50, you may not find a bargain like that but even at the regular price it’s a great deal.

This card didn’t take much longer to do, but it was one of those where I just started pushing buttons and there it was. The nice thing about Elements is that everything can be on separate layers. Any layer can be changed or moved to another project.

Exercise a different part of your brain today, try art.

Greeting cards as a fun family project

2009-03-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

How would you like to have a one-of-a-kind card to go with that gift you are wrapping? In addition to updating our wrap ideas we are also adding a new feature, it’s greeting cards for those who are looking for something different. These fresh ideas are free to use and easy to print out. Using photo paper or heavy weight brochure paper will give excellent results.

I hope too that these will give you some ideas for making your own greeting cards, and perhaps used as an opportunity to reconnect with someone. Making a handmade card and sending it out of the blue is a nice way to let someone know they are still in your thoughts.

Then there is the rare possibility that someone will return the gesture with a card of his or her own. Most unlikely, I suspect, as hurried as most people are. But just the same it‘s the thought that counts.

Use card making as a family project. Plan it as an activity that you can share with your children. It’s so much easier to do if you already have box of tools and materials ready to pull out.

The art of collage is still a popular craft activity with the younger set and perfect for greeting cards. The wonder of collage is that it takes little more than the desire to express a feeling or idea - perfect for young minds (and older.) So if you can pull them away from the TV for an hour why not challenge them to make a birthday card or a simple “I love you” for someone close.

This is an easy to do card that can be done with a pc and printer. Just go to jacksonpollock.com and sketch out your masterpiece. Kids love this simple to use painter program. Print it and add your message with cut out letters.

Everyone I’ve shown this site to has gotten a big kick out of it.

A starting point

2009-03-11T00:40:00.000-07:00

Finding a great gift for someone can be very satisfying but why stop there? If you have been saving some silk flowers or a sheet of handmade paper now could be the time. Any number of possibilities can be turned into the perfect wrap. It’s fun and easy and can make your gift extra special just by putting a few more minutes into the wrapping.

No matter what you’re giving, putting your own creative twist to the gift wrapping is guaranteed to put a smile on someone’s face!

Think you can’t do this? We haven’t yet met anyone who doesn’t possess even a smidgen of creativity although it may be well hidden. So why not let it shine? We’re going to give you lots of ideas to put fun into your gifts with special creative wrap ideas.

Even if you’re someone who has always thought wrapping a gift meant either slapping a pre-made bow on a box or putting the gift into a gift bag, we hope that Gift-Wrapping-Ideas will give you some new ideas or at least help you explore your hidden talents.

It really doesn’t take much, not if you are tired of your gift wrapping looking like everyone else’s. A little well spent effort can go a long way toward setting the stage. Not that it needs to be extravagant but a little decorator touch should be all it takes to enhance the mood of the occasion and make you the wizard of wrap.

Now there are cards too

2007-02-02T13:39:00.000-08:00

If you haven’t visited the section called Sweetheart, take a look, there are ideas for creating your own Valentine theme gift wrapping. Even so, it’s not all about ribbons and bows. Sometimes we get the urge to spin off a little. So here are a few hand picked Valentines. These cards are a little different, with a sort of an arty look, not what you would usually find in a card store.

They are easy to download and print out. Try using something like HP’s 48lb brochure paper for a professional look. If you are into making your own gift cards try matte finish paper, the results are much better for graphics.

Valentine wrap

2007-01-31T18:52:00.000-08:00

We couldn’t let the occasion go by without a few wrapping suggestions. Hope you like em. White paper is a natural for Valentine wrap but has a bad feature of being a little transparent. One simply fix for this is just cut an extra square the same size as the top, this way you have opacity without doing a double wrap.

Beyond the red and white wrapping papers there are other possibilities as well as embellishments. Before you start, lay out your wrapping materials and get a feel for what goes together. Pink and light blue work together. So does metallic silver and purple. Even dark metallic green and silver. The trick is to work with three, perhaps four colors. That way you avoid the stark contrast and create a warmer, more “friendly” look. There are many possibilities and once you take up the scissors chances you will create a wrap that expresses your sentiments exactly.

Valentine's Day just around the corner

2007-01-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

Where does the time go? Here we are rushing headlong into Valentine’s Day. So much for good intentions. It’s not an occasion we can let pass unnoticed, so it’s time to get moving on this gift wrapping stuff. Time for red and white wrapping paper and pink and red bows, if you are into tradition. There are other color possibilities like purple and gold that can work very nicely. If you want push the envelope a bit you could use black paper with gold stamping and ribbon. Or you could save it for a surprise and use black tissue paper inside. Sprinkle in some brightly colored confetti and a few little red hearts. before you close the box.

Those little candy hearts with the “I love you” on them can be fun also. They would work well for a wrapping decoration. Either white or dark colored wrapping paper will work. Glue the hearts on an overall pattern or arrange them to make a larger heart shape. Here’s another idea that will make a splash: Make a large red crepe paper flower. Glue these little candy hearts on short lengths of wire and insert into the center of the flower.

Gift bags revisited

2007-01-21T18:20:00.000-08:00

Well, a quick look back, since we talked about the growing trend in gift bags - a development in gift wrapping, it seems like a good idea to revisit this. Yes, it was hard not to notice the display of gift bags near the checkout at many retailers. Either they subscribe to the same newsletter or they were being very optimistic. Since we are a convenience searching society there may be something to it, but personally I didn’t see much evidence of it except in the usual ways.

For bottles and other hard-to-wrap gifts, bags are an easy way to go. For other types of gift wraps the fact that you made the effort says a lot about what your feeling are for the other person. But just as important, I think, it’s a wonderful opportunity to indulge in a little creative fun. It’s an easy way to be expressive and bring a little extra something to a gift giving occasion.

For those of you who are interested in personalizing your own bags we will add some samples that may inspire you to create your own ideas.

What's with gift bags?

2006-12-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

There is a new kid on the block, according to what I’ve read. Retailers are reporting that the sales of gift bags are steadily growing. People who track this sort of thing say that gift bag sales will top 400 million this year, and that doesn’t count Santa’s special year end order - heck, he probably makes his own. The growing popularity is attributed to changing lifestyle. It’s quick and easy and many people just don’t feel they have the time or skill to wrap a gift. Many retailers are geared up at this time of year to make it as easy as possible for shoppers. Free boxes for the asking and wrapping while you wait. But, dropping it in a bag is sure easy.

The gift bag boom may bring about some changes. Will it replace wrapping paper? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. The ballpoint sure did send the fountain pen to the retirement home. But they said radio was dead when TV came along. One thing is for sure, we all know that wrapping paper costs too much. Is it possible that a little competition will change this? Let’s hope so.

Statistics show that gift bags already surpass wrapping paper for some occasions. Bags for birthdays and wedding showers are the leader in our dash from store to store culture. Perhaps, Tom Cruise would have gotten a my wedding gift if I’d gone that route instead of procrastinating.

Convenience sure has it’s place, but pulling a gift out of a bag isn’t near as thrilling as unwrapping a box that’s been embellished with a personal touch. One pleasant thought though - as you go about your merry shopping way - paper products are recyclable, or at least biodegradable. Happy wrapping.

Breakfast basket idea

2006-12-07T19:50:00.000-08:00

What an interesting idea - giving a breakfast gift basket to a friend. I’ve been thinking about it but haven’t put the idea completely together. There is, after all, some very pleasing things that could be done. Starting with coffee, there are many places known for their quality product. Coffee with well known names like Colombia, Jamaican, Viennese and Kona. Some come in miniature packages - enough for at least a couple of cups of tasty brew. And lets not forget exotic teas and gourmet cocoa drinks - all delightful ways to start the day. Certainly some special fruits would be a good addition. And if it was a hand delivered basket, I could make a stop at the German bakery and pick up some scones and croissants. And that would call for a jar of raspberry jam. A little offbeat but I like this idea.

Free holiday card

2006-12-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

Looking for something special in the way of a holiday card? What about a do-it-yourself version? Something new - just in time for the holidays. These are 3-D pieces made from paper. All it takes is scissors and glue stick. If you want to cut them out and send them unassembled they could be a holiday card. Fits in a A7 envelope (template ready for download, if needed.) Just write a note and let it be a do-it-yourself holiday card. These were designed with children in mind - sort of a craft project - but anyone can have fun with this easy-to-do project.

Here is another from the 3-D series of gift cards. These are not really cards in the true sense but they can be mailed, unassembled, with a message. They are free standing - put them anywhere you want: On the mantle, window sill or dashboard. Kids can make them, along with snow flakes for tree decorations.

Wrapping Rescue

2006-12-01T11:29:00.000-08:00

If you hear a little voice asking for help when you move into your gift giving mode, your not alone - it can be a stressful time, especially during the holidays. If you’re wondering how you can make the gift giving a little more fun and exciting, it’s time to think outside the box. Here’s an idea: Have you ever thought of gift giving with a theme? Take a trip to the party store and look for things that can be adapted to the theme. Drop by the dollar store for small, wacky items and be sure to look for a bargain in wrapping paper.

A theme can work off the gift itself. Music, for instance, offers easy solutions. Grab a couple of old magazines and start cutting out parts of faces. Reassemble on a blank piece of paper. Eyes looking in different directions, mouth off center, who cares? The crazier the better. To make the theme add musical notes for eyes, ears or hair. If there is more than one package just carry this through. If you are bored with faces try cats, dogs or fish. A wrapping job like this will certainly take the blahs out of gift giving. Have fun.

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2006-11-29T15:38:00.000-08:00

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Holiday Gift Baskets - Siimply Great

2006-11-27T18:19:00.000-08:00

A gift basket is great way to say ”You are special.” Because if you know the person you are making it for you can select those perfect little treasures that delight the senses. And what better way to go about it than with the ever popular gourmet theme? The first decisions are probably whether to buy a ready-made or make your own. Of course, if you wait too long the first option will be out the window. Make it yourself and a trip to a couple of gourmet food stores will give you plenty of ideas for that holiday gift basket. There may even be baskets available there. Another approach is to add a few items to a commercial basket for a more personal touch.

That old holiday favorite - gift baskets offers a quick solution to gift giving. And because it offers an abundance of items it's likely to hit the mark. Holiday gift baskets have the power to delight the senses with their bountiful offering. Most commercial baskets offer a variety of themes to choose from. Just choose your price range and cross your fingers that it will arrive on time. The alternative is to make your own. Take a tip from the pros, start with a theme. A hand made gift basket with a theme sends a personal message as well as delightful holiday gift.

For something extra there are items like movie tickets, subway pass, coffee shop gift card and small stuffed animals. Other ways to add a little fun could be to include some Belgian chocolates, CDs, toys, and crossword puzzles.For an offbeat treat there are sock puppets and voodoo dolls for the active imagination, or a how-to juggle kit.

To be successful, not everything in a food themed holiday gift basket has to be peeled or sliced. The same goes for any other theme you choose. This could mean a bunch of artificial grapes or other items that could be used in a table arrangement. Even a few artificial flowers, this is a time to think creatively and with your thinking cap on you should be able to come up with a variety of items that will do.

Got the theme all wrapped up but still looking for something different? A sample of vanilla bean or saffron would really delight the cook.

Still looking for something special? Local craft fairs hold lots of possibilities. Jewelry, pottery and sun catchers being a few favorites. Mini pet portraits would definitely tickle someone’s fancy.

Putting it all together - the thing that creates the magic. It should be visually pleasing but have balance. Bigger, heavier items in the center, tall bottles like wine and olive oil reclining and lots of small things to fill in the spaces. Feel free to rewrap items that you think can be made more attractive. Esthetics are important for success, the finished look should be bountiful but not cluttered.

It all comes together when you give it that final wrap of clear plastic. The nice thing is it doesn’t hide the effect you have worked hard to create and conforms well to irregular shapes. It also helps hold everything in place and preserve freshness. You see all those gifts lying there in a bed of raffia - your holiday gift basket has become a cornucopia of delight. It’s a very exciting effect. For an added touch, at this final stage, you can try your hand at doing a double wrap of clear plastic and sprinkling confetti between the layers. And top it all off with a fancy bow and a few streamers of curly ribbon. Be sure to include a gift card that expresses your holiday best wishes. Make it even more heartfelt with a handmade card for your personal message.

Holiday gift baskets

2006-11-21T13:54:00.000-08:00

A gift basket is a festive gift that will certainly delight the senses. Put on your thinking cap before you start shopping. First take a look around,the holiday season offers many possibilities fot a theme. A theme gives you something to build on, a jumping off point for collecting a variety of items to create that fun basket. There are many ways to go, keeping in mind the occasion and who it is for. Setting the mood of your gift selections could be considered a sub-theme. Here you have the opportunity to be playful, completely wacky or formal, to name a few of the possibilities. Keep in mind the visual presentation as you go along.

To get the ball rolling try to imagine the excitement you can create by gathering together a few unusual gift items that will enhance the effect. A fruit basket, for instance, doesn’t just have to be about island mangos an Fiji apples - although they are very nice. A set of hand carved wooden spoons from a craft fair or a couple of fortune cookies - if you can replace the fortunes, even better.

To be successful, not everything in a food themed basker has to be peeled or sliced. The same goes for any other theme you choose. This could mean a bunch of artificial grapes or other items that could be used in a table arrangement. Even a few artificial flowers, this is a time to think creativitly. Bath products, gourmet foods, wine and cheese and craft supplies are a few of the populr ones. You should be able to come up with a variety of items that will make your theme perfect.

Once you’ve got all your bottles, boxes and oddities in hand it’s time to do some arranging. Putting it all together - the presentation, is thing that creates the magic. It’s good to start with a bed of raffia or some similar material. Darker colors usually work best for this. To ensure success, put heavier items in the center, tall bottles like wine and olive oil reclining and lots of small things to fill in the spaces. If you would like to specially wrap a few items, feel free - it will add to the mystery and visual excitement. Use your good judgment - the finished look should be bountiful but not cluttered.

Time to wrap it up - the finishing touches will give your gift basket that professional look. Wrapping gift baskets in in clear or tinted plastic is the usual way to secure things, as you probably have noticed. The reason is simple, it doesn’t hide the effect you have worked hard to create and conforms well to irregular shapes. So add a few special touches, like a bow and gift and happing gift giving.

A couple of cards

2006-11-20T12:58:00.000-08:00

These greeting cards use a couple of different techniques but took very little effort to make, once I was shown how. The maroon and purple one uses regular stamping with a wash overlay. Several layers of torn paper are a nice touch.

The blue and green card uses a short flap that slips through hotdog shaped hole to keep the cover closed. The dusting of color around the ellipse is a subtle effect. Both cards use an emboss technique which is created with metallic powder sprinkled on a special ink.

First gift cards with stamping

2006-11-14T06:52:00.000-08:00

We just went to a stamping party - first ever, for one of these types of get-togethers. A group of people invited together, most meeting each other for the first time, to learn some of the possibilities of rubber stamping. Of course this technique has lived in the mundane world of commerce for ever. Familiar bold gothic words in red with messages like cancelled, past due and top secret. Their message projecting an urgent call to action.

If you’ve visited an art store you know there is a shelf of these little pink gems, but now they are mostly images with a different meaning. That is what this party was all about. Our host was a perfect pilot into this world, a fun teacher with a huge collection of samples to give us the possibilities for our own creations. After a few simple demonstrations she has us making our own greeting cards. The tools are much more refined than I had imagined, which proved a very important point: If you are organized you can be so much more productive. In no time each of us had made a couple of professional looking cards. And it was very easy, with the tools at hand for scoring, embossing and coloring.

We learned that stamping has a lot to offer. It is probably the most overlooked art technique, perhaps because it is so simple to use. As Tami showed us, it’s how you use it that makes it a versatile art tool. Try for yourself the simple technique of hand painting a stamp with water based markers. See what you think of your multicolored image. Another thing to try is stamping with the usual oil-based ink pad but then coloring in the negative areas with water colors. It looks like there are a lot of possibilities for exploration, and for those that don’t feel comfortable drawing stamping can be a very creative tool. I’m ready to try out a couple of gift wrapping ideas.

Pop-up card

2006-11-03T22:14:00.000-08:00

If you’ve ever had the experience of walking through an old, abandoned barn or house you know that feeling, your imagination was probably working overtime. Recently I walked through a long-closed amusement park. It wasn’t abandoned, parts of it were refurbished and being used for other things. Even so, it was quit an experience. Old amusement parks, and especially road carnivals, have such wonderful graphics. The faded art for the bumper cars at this park was the inspiration for this card.

By attaching small coil springs, made from floral wire, these two bumper car figures jiggle nicely with the slightest motion. With the right inscription I’ve been able to use this for several occasions. My favorite being a wedding anniversary, which didn’t seem to need any explanation. But with a funny play on words it could probably work for other occasions. .

2006-11-03T22:02:00.000-08:00

2006-11-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

Public records like the National Archives have libraries of these images, from the great depression, when out of work artists and others were working for the WPA documenting Americana. If you have the patience there are treasures there to be unearthed - if you can find them. Unfortunately a computer crash lost all except a few. Have been unable to find the location again. Images are probably from the National Archives or National Park Service.

Pop-up card

2006-11-01T11:23:00.000-08:00

In addition to our regular gift wrapping stuff, greeting cards seem like a natural way to have a little fun with scissors and paper, So while we have our tools handy, it’s off to see what we can come up with. Handmade cards are such fun projects and a treat to receive. It’s sort of like getting a little surprise gift in an envelope. In fact a friend of mine sends some of his creations in clear envelopes. There no mistaking these for junk mail. So with pop-up cards on the brain I am posting the first of a series handmade cards that do more than just sleep like a cat. If you take pleasure in fold, spindle and mutilate, join us as we go - we know not where.

This a first attempt. The hand raises up off the card about ½” The card which is held in place by two simple cuts in the hand, entitles someone to a free hug.

This a first attempt at a 3-D card. The hand raises up off the card about ½” The card which is held in place by two simple cuts in the hand, entitles someone to a free hug.

The gift wrapping season

2006-10-29T10:11:00.000-08:00

So many postings these days about holiday gift ideas. The big season introduces itself even before the first frost, here in Virginia. But it'a all for the good. Starting early means a better chance of finding the right gift and maybe a little less stress, or from my point of view, a little more time to spend with friends and family. And more time to spend on a family tradition - gift wrapping. This is a family thing that has evolved quite naturally. So that now, when the big day arrives and all the family is gathtered, the fun of seeing these gift wrapping creations is a delight in itself. It certainly is a fun time, admiring all the wrapping creations and getting all the details of where a ribbon was found or where the special paper came from.

Arts on Foot

2006-10-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

She paints like she is very comfortable with color and how it's best used - moving back and forth between traditional and something more modern. I especially liked the animal portraits which are a bit edgy in their treatment of space. Seeing animals portrayed in unusual settings casts a new way of treating pet portraits. This is the nice thing about art. Whaterver your tools or subject matter there are always new ways to make an idea look fresh.

Working with gift baskets

2006-10-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

Gift baskets fall into the category of unusual shapes. Wrapping shapes, other than boxes, can pose a challenge. There are special considerations for wrapping gift baskets, especially for those professionally wrapped but what about others? What are some options for those who want to create their own or personalize a commercial basket?

Fancy ideas for fun

2006-10-17T15:53:00.001-07:00

When wrapping gifts with a theme there are opportunities galore to experiment and work on technique. Wrapping in the circus theme suggest lots of ideas and using cut paper is very appropriate for this. Here’s a suggestion: have one large central figure, a clown, for example, cut from colored craft paper and even snips of magazines. Make it exaggerated in style and brightly colored, with big red nose, blue hair and baggy pants, all that stuff. Then add secondary elements - using the paper doll style cut several small strings of elephants marching trunk to tail. Keep your design simple for easy cutting.

Stamping and stenciling will be very nice for this. You can be real creative and combine techniques. If you were doing circus trains instead of elephants you could stamp the cars with animal shapes. If doing more than one package carry this theme over. The wonderful thing about all this is it takes very little in tools and materials and results are a gift wrapped with a personal expression that says so much.

New ideas for wrapping

2006-07-25T16:46:00.000-07:00

We’ve added some new gift wrapping ideas that cover a variety styles - you should find something you like. In our quest to present alternatives to traditional ribbon and bow there are unusual alternatives for wrapping gifts.

There are ideas you can use to create your own designs for just about any occasion. Grab your scissors and get creative. Gift wrapping can be fun. See new pages for great ideas.

Free Polymer Clay Gift

2006-03-02T18:13:00.000-08:00

Free Polymer Clay Gift
By chance we came across a beautiful book on polymer clay craft that we would like to share with out visitors. At first we were so impressed that we thought we would do a book review to alert viewers. But as it turns out we’ve found sponsors that will underwrite the cost so we can give this book for free.

It’s a hefty 2lb+ book loaded with hundreds of quality clay projects from name artists. Thumbing through this book will cause your creative spirit to take off like a rocket ship for the moon. Whatever your focus in the polymer clay craft world, there will be something in this book for you. It’s about shape and color. It’s about imagination. It’s about working with very versatile polymer clay.

Polymer Clay Reference Added

2006-02-23T17:28:00.000-08:00

We’ve added pages that should be of great interest to our visitors. So many people are into craft these days that we’ve decided to include it in our list of topics on this site. The first change you will notice, if you go to Sitemap, is that we’ve begun by adding reference pages related to Polymer Clay crafts. Other topics will follow as we look for topics that would be of interest to our friends.

Each resource page has references to a specific key word. So if you are looking for information on a particular item this may be useful. Included with that you will see other suggestions that we think are noteworthy.

Paper Is More Than Wrap

2006-01-16T17:07:00.000-08:00

As we talked about before, the art of paper cutting has a long and glorious history. At least as long as the Chinese have had paper and that’s a long time. We can learn a lot from their dedication to the craft. Using this ancient technique of cut paper today would be as fresh as any idea you could come up with for adding artistic flair to a gift wrapping. All that’s required is a sharp craft knife and a cutting board. Gift wrapping paper is not the first choice of materials. Colored paper is preferred. The weight depends on the project.

One approach is creating a 3-D effect. We could take a look at the circus, it’s loaded with images that can be applied to gift wrapping. For this idea a simple image will do - a clown face. We are all familiar with the basic shapes: White face, big red nose, blue hair and a funny little hat. By adding paper tabs under the nose and hat you can make have a 3-D effect. Shred the edge of the hair with scissors. Top it off with buttons for eyes and draw a mouth and you have it.

Paper Cutting - A Sharp Idea

2006-01-06T10:04:00.000-08:00

Explore paper cutting if are looking for a new twist for gift wrapping. The idea of paper cutting is a tradition among Chinese, going back thousands of years. Chinese women are quite skilled at this craft. History shows that they placed the art of cut paper in a very functional role. As alternative to written language these pictures were used to express ideas and as a learning tool. Children learned from folk tales about love, kindness, treachery and ambition. Their mothers used them as a way to teach morality and history as they were growing up.

These delicate illustrations, loaded with symbolism were also used as sympathetic magic. Fierce animals, hung over doorways to repel evil spirits or in invited good spirits into the home to bestow their blessings. It was also a custom to give cutouts to family members to ensure prosperity and good fortune or to newlyweds for happiness and fertility.

Cut paper can add a nice decorative touch to a gift wrap. There are many ways to approach it. In addition to the basic snowflake cutout, colored paper can be cut into shapes like stars, flowers and animals to adorn a present. The idea is to be imaginative and playful.

Christmas Project

2005-12-14T06:17:00.000-08:00

We call these new holiday constructions interactive because there is a little work involved. Copied from cut paper art, these dynamic creations are a perfect activity for young folks. Simple tools like small scissors and gluestick are all that’s required.

It only a few minutes it takes to cut out and assemble these tabletop displays. But the 3-dimensional effect will be stand out among your Christmas card display. They also work well as Christmas tree decorations. Add these to your holiday tree for different touch. Or even a gift ornament.

Tabletop Decorations

2005-12-08T09:53:00.000-08:00

We wanted to add some new features for the holiday season but things always seem to go slower than planned. We have, however, introduced a new idea that we are excited about. You can find it at the home page as interactive greeting cards.

These are cards that you can print out on your own printer. They are designed with the thought that many folks display the cards they receive during the holidays. These three dimensional constructions will add a delightful touch to your mantle or tabletop.

The Holiday Season

2005-11-28T08:21:00.000-08:00

Oh, that twelfth month, it takes the year out with a bang. A recent poll by the American Psychological Association shows that during the Christmas season, gift-giving becomes one of the top five holiday stress issues. Normally work is the biggie but when the holidays roll around priorities change. Gift-giving moves into second place, before “not enough time” and just after “not enough money.”

Many of us get through the year on a good supply of Post-It notes but at this time of the year the only way to survive is to make lists. Even a notebook might be necessary. Being organized is definitely important.

Gift Wrapping Tradition

2005-11-21T08:16:00.000-08:00

Gift wrapping has gone through a quit a transformation over time. Centuries ago exotic gifts came in carved wooden boxes lined with silk. Through the ages we still wrap our presents to make them special but our materials have changed.

Also changed is the way we go about it. Because gift giving is such a huge industry it’s easy to find stores dedicated to parties and gift wrapping. In a hectic world it’s a time saver, having these choices in one place. Now, at our fingertips, we have new tools for new possibilities. The home computer and inkjet printer along with software that makes it easier to create and print out original ideas for gift cards and gift wrapping adornments.

And of course there this site with an ever growing collection of gift wrapping ideas that we hope will help you think outside the box.

More to Wrapping

2005-11-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

There was a time, not too long ago, when more was less. A simply wrapped gift box would have been the in style. The static rectangle was seen as a something more than functional. We appreciated the beauty of simplicity. But times change and with it comes new ideas about design and the look of everything in our visual world.

Now days packaging plays a big role. Today a gift wrapped box invites creative attention. Even off-the-shelf ribbons and bows may not be enough to satisfy the creative muse when it comes to a special gift occasion. Even though the variety of ribbons and bows is now almost limitless, there is still plenty of opportunity for creative flair. In spite of all the fancy gift accessories available there will always be appreciation for that personal touch. So have some fun by creating a gift wrap that will delight someone.

Life is a collection of moments

2005-11-09T18:45:00.000-08:00

Life is a collection of moments I saw some work by a street artist the other day and was reminded of a question that someone had asked me. They wondered why anyone would spend great effort on wrapping a gift when it was going to be torn off and thrown away. If you think about it there are parts of our social experience that exist in our memory as pleasant recollections.

The idea of gift wrapping is quit natural for it adds to the giving experience and the fact that it has a short life span will soon will be crumpled paper is unimportant. To the street artist who is creating masterpieces on the sidewalk with chalk it’s of little importance that the wind will soon blow it away. The artist enjoys what he does and gives freely of his time and talent so that the passerbys can take with them an appreciation of the effort and the simple pleasure of a pleasant thought. And so it is with gift giving. After the present is unwrapped the experience of the moment may be the longest lasting gift.

The right paper

2005-11-04T15:48:00.000-08:00

Gift wrapping papers are made to do just that - wrap. Too thin to do much else, it’s the thicker papers the offer the greatest possibilities. Rainbow packs are available in both bond and cover weight. They are impregnated with pigment, not printed on one side. A definite advantage. Be on the lookout for unusual papers. Maybe a little pricey but one sheet can do a lot of embellishments.

Once you start working with heavier paper you will quickly begin to develop your own style of paper art. Wrapping a gift can be just the beginning. Happy cutting.

Fleeting Moment

2005-10-31T14:47:00.000-08:00

Isn’t it a strange notion to make something just so it can be torn apart? Wrapping a gift is just that. A beautiful adornment one minute and shambles the next. But when you think how much a ribbon and bow adds to the delight of a gift, it’s easy to understand the good feeling and appreciation that’s added to the moment.

Take music for example. Can you remember when someone played a song for you? Or when you went to a concert? The experience was all so real, right up until the last note and then it was gone. But it’s still there, tucked away in the closet of your mind. Every bit of it, from the first to the last note. And just like that music, the memory of a beautifully wrapped gift is on a shelf, somewhere in that closet.

Fresh gift wrapping ideas

2005-10-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

The idea of creative gift wrapping has had a natural progression in history. Since paper replaced clay tablets, bark and hides as a writing surface people have found creative ways to put it to good use. Using ink on paper being the most popular.

But many new inventions, in their beginning, emerged as a novelty as people explored the possibilities. In the far east this would seem likely for paper, where there was a strong appreciation of sublime beauty. Even today the Japanese are known for their skill in origami and paper art. Here is a much admired craft that brings delight to young and old. It’s popularity is evident by the number of books currently in publication, from beginner level to expert. With a little thought this craft can bring a fresh look to your gift wrapping creations. Certainly not a mainstream ribbon and bow alternative, it does offer great new creative possibilities.

The season for giving

2005-10-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

The holiday seasons is a time of mixed emotions. On one hand we have the joy of giving gifts to friends and relatives. While at the same time there is that little feeling that we could done more for the ones we love the most.

At the same time there are folks whose lives have been turn upside down by the Gulf Coast hurricanes. These are children and adults who have lost it all and would be thankful for anything. Talk it over with your family and see if there is an interest in sharing with strangers this season.

Fall Brings Change

2005-10-06T19:30:00.000-07:00

Fall brings with it a whole string of gift wrapping challenges. And of course as we pass into the Fall equinox the mood changes. As the weather begins to change we are once again reminded of sweaters and coats. Time to redo the wardrobe and check the latest fashions. Time pack away the pastels and look to darker colors.

The mood of gift wrapping changes too. If you are organized, you have paper and accessories in stored in boxes by season, making for a smooth transition. Large plastic boxes for seasonal wrapping paper and accessories makes it easy to be ready. It's time for different ideas and different themes.

Gift of the Month

2005-09-27T20:40:00.000-07:00

Magazine subscriptions have been a favorite gift idea since the early 1900’s. It was an idea that made publishing empires almost over night with the help of some very popular writers like Sherlock Holmes’ creator, Arthur Conan Doyle. In fact, when Conan Doyle killed off the famous detective, 20,000 people protested by canceling their subscription to the magazine that serializing the episodes.

A gift that just shows up on your doorstep every month definitely has appeal. It’s nice to have that to look forward each month. And thanks to fast, efficient delivery, the concept has been greatly expanded today. Perishables like flowers and fruit baskets can be included. Along with the old standbys of books and music comes new ideas like chocolate, pizza and beer-of-the-month. For the lazy shopper this is a great way to spread the cheer. To read more on this topic go to articles.

Shopping on line

2005-09-20T05:57:00.000-07:00

For many, shopping online is still the edge of the frontier. But the march toward the point and click purchase is inevitable, Web store sales show a steady growth as more and more people turn to this easy alternative. And while it may be difficult for you to accept buying from an online catalog, there will probably come a time when you‘ll have to give it a try.

With 10,000 new consumer products being added to the shelves each year, it’s not possible for your favorite stores to carry everything. Online shopping makes it possible to not only find the product but the color, size and model you are looking for. For gift giving, this can be a great solution. What could be easier than making a selection and then leaving it to the merchant to pack it and ship it? Sometimes they will even gift box it. This is the lazy shoppers dream. For more of online shopping see articles.

Sans bow - a different path

2005-08-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

Who says that gifts have to be wrapped in a sheet of paper and a bow? Two sheets can be better than one. And scraps of paper and ribbon can be just as exciting as a store-bought bow.

Just pick two colors that work together. Complimentary for harmony, opposites for excitement. Black and silver for instance or lime green and pink. Once you’ve decided on a color look consider balance - do you want symmetry or unbalanced. One will give you a formal look the other - off balanced, will be more dynamic. With the asymmetrical look a ratio of 1:2 or 3:5 will work well.

With so many magazines and printed material around there is no reason to limit yourself to bows. By snipping colored shapes from magazines you can make your own embellishments. It so easy to personalize a gift wrap project by adding cutouts of flowers and figures. By pasting some of them on thick pieces of cardboard or shaped paper and adding some snips of ribbon you can create a 3-D corsage effect.

The funny wrap

2005-08-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

What's your favorite comic strip? You may have noticed; Dagwood and Blondie are having a big anniversary. They're old as dirt but have managed to adapt to the times, still giving us a chuckle with their everyday antics. Thanks to the funny papers we have a small handle to hold on to in a wide sea of grim news.

So recycle your favorite comic strip and use it for wrapping paper. If you have a scanner/printer and Photoshop you can do some tricky things to make the wrap job more unique. Or even with just a few basic tools you can add punch by thinking up your own word balloons and pasting them on.

Color is fun

2005-08-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

Pastels are a natural for spring. It gets even better when you have a sheet of rainbow paper to set the mood. A ribbon and bow would have been fine but there was an urge to do it a little differently. This led to using a red net bag - the grocery store fruit kind. It easy to work with, you just need scissors and clear tape. The large pink tissue paper flower was a natural finish.

Wine is a great gift

2005-08-08T18:34:00.000-07:00

Isn’t it great when you come up with an idea on the fly.

How many times have you been in a situation, like an invitation to a dinner? You’re running late and you want to bring a gift, a bottle of wine will do just fine, if only there was some way to make it look pretty. Sometimes it just takes a look around the kitchen to find help.

A bottle is an odd shaped gift to wrap , that’s why we’ve included several examples. Here’s one way to do it. By wrapping first with colored tissue paper and then with clear kitchen wrap you can create a very nice gift wrap in no time. A ribbon around the neck will be the finishing touch and you are on your way.

A bright idea

2005-08-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

The gift itself can often suggest ideas for wrapping For something like an I-Pod, for instance, day-glo printer paper would work well to create a modern, dynamic look. Sheets are small of course but there are ways to improvise. If multiple sheets are needed, apply like you would if doing a wall papering job. Try mixing colors so that joints are a part of the design. Apply cutout shapes of contrasting colors. Shapes can be snowflake-like designs or torn paper for added interest. This is also a good time to experiment with diagonal strips of paper or ribbon.

Wrapping with cutouts

2005-08-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

The old standby, construction paper, is great for adding free form shapes to a gift. So is bright colored printer paper. Try your hand at making flowers and leaves. Or for summer, a tropical bird or fish. Even geometric shapes can be fun. Working with a theme is a great way to put cutout shapes to work. All it takes is scissors, gluestick and a little imagination.

Think Thrifty

2005-05-30T18:37:00.000-07:00

Save those odd pieces of paper. Gifts can take on a new dimension when layered with papers of different textures, patterns and colors. A patchwork quilt should give you some ideas. Cut in strips, gift paper can serve as ribbons.

Gift Wrapping Ideas

2005-05-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

Paper doesn’t take up much storage space. Saved scraps can lead to creative results when searching for something that will make a present special.

Old magazines, comic pages, calendars and maps can be used for wrapping projects. A department store bag with bold graphics can be transformed with a little creativity.

Wrapping for Spring

2005-05-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

Pastel colored papers are a good way to create the spring mood. Add circles of matching colors with magazine cutouts of flowers to form a random pattern. Flowers of multicolored tissue paper are a good trick.

Take Advantage of Bargains

2005-05-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

Bargains can be had after the holidays. Keep in mind that plan color wrapping paper can work for other occasions. So can ribbon, string and small objects like beads.