Creative Gift Wrapping

Hope everyone is doing well , it's been busy around here as usual. The holidays are almost here , thought I would share this gift idea from last year just in case someone needs a last minute idea. I made Shagbark Hickory syrup for Christmas gifts last year , but thought I would like to add a little something for the kitchen along with the syrup , so I bought dish towels and potholders. When I got ready to wrap them , I decided the potholder would make a great gift bag , so I tucked the pint of syrup inside the potholder and tied everything together with twine. The syrup was a hit with everyone and who doesn't need new dish towels and potholders. You could tuck jams/jellies , other canned goodies or a small loaf of nut bread inside.

Hope to have time to visit some blogs soon.

~Blessings ~

JoyceAnn

~ 2009/2010 Time Capsule Memory Ornaments ~

I saw this idea on the internet somewhere , but can't remember were I found it. I thought it would be a wonderful gift idea , but I wasn't sure were I could find plastic ball ornaments , so I kinda shrugged the idea to the side. About a week before Christmas , I went into the outbuilding looking for something and guess what I found , yep , plastic ball ornaments. I had bought a box lot a few years ago at a thrift store that was going out of business , it was full of Christmas stuff , including some plastic ornament balls filled with pot-pourri. So I grabbed them out of the box and brought them in house , removed the pot-pourri and washed them. I was planning to add some decoration around the top , but time slipped by to quickly and I didn't get a chance. So , I just glued a yarn hanger to the the top , these balls were perfect for the " Time Capsules " because they have a plastic cap that pops out. Anyway , the concept is to write about Christmas memories and place them in the capsule. I gave the girls one for each Grand , so they could write down memories for this past Christmas or next Christmas. I made a list of memories they may want to include in the "Time Capsule Memory Ornament "and made note that it wasn't to be opened until they turn 18 or 21 years of age. I didn't post this before Christmas because I didn't want the girls to read it on my blog , but it's a great gift idea for next Christmas , Easter or a Birthday. I think it would be great to add a special memory at their Birthday , Christmas , or every holiday in the year. Thought I would share now , as it might take time to find plastic ball ornaments , but you could recycle a small plastic bottle or use glass ornaments. I didn't want to use glass because we have so many wee ones around.

~ Warmest Blessings ~

JoyceAnn