Merry Christmas!

From our house…

To yours…

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‘Twas The Night Before Christmas…

I plan to drive around and see the lights…

Enjoy the Christmas Tree…

Watch my favorite Christmas movie…

Have a cup of hot chocolate…

Wrap a few last-minute gifts…

Give Thanks for all that 2012 brought me and all that 2013 has in store!

And, wishing you all a Very

Be Blessed Today and Always!

I’m taking a few days off from blogging but will be back to wish you a Happy New Year!

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The Perfect Last Minute Gift: Gift Cards

I don’t know about you but I have some very hard people to shop for during the holidays.  You know, the person that has everything and needs nothing (MOM), the person that will enjoy anything you get them and is not at all picky (HUSBAND), the person that is a tech genius and wants all the new electronic gadgets that are out, except they already own everything so there’s really nothing you can think of to buy (BROTHER), and the person that is just plain hard to buy for (18-year-old NEPHEW)!  When it comes down to the-hard-to-buy-for on my Christmas list, I more times than not buy a few gift cards, making my job as Santa a little easier.

Here are a list of my favorite gift cards to give (and get) and why!

 

 

 

I love the TJX group of stores and because you can find just about everything you need for your home at these stores (necessities like towels or luxuries like candles), this is the perfect gift card to give to a man or woman.

 

 

 

While I buy most of my books via AMAZON, I don’t know anyone that doesn’t love to visit B & N and waste a few hours looking through books and magazines.  My brother is a magazine “collector” like me so this is the perfect gift card for him!  And, my nephews college accepts B & N gift cards in the campus store so it also works for him too!

 

 

 

Ok, while an Anthropologie gift card doesn’t really make a great gift for my mom, husband, brother or nephew, it does make a great gift for ME!  There stuff is so pretty and just adds a little “happy” to life!

A Best Buy gift card is great for just about anyone because of the vast array of items they sell in their store. Perfect for the techie, business person, teenager or even a MOM that may need a new vacuum or printer.

The AMAZON gift card is one of my favorites because they sell any and everything AND because if you love books, this is the best gift you could give a book lover!

 

 

 

So I know a Staples gift card doesn’t sound glamorous but I can’t think of anything I hate more to spend money on than office supplies.  With a staples gift card, purchasing necessities becomes a bit more enjoyable and allows you to spend  your money on fun stuff !

 

 

 

Who doesn’t love Target and who wouldn’t love one of their gift cards!  So many things to buy, and especially now, the items from the Neiman Marcus collaboration which are 50% off! 

 

 

 

I’m not a coffee drinker but I do love a Starbucks hot chocolate fix in the winter and an ice tea fix in the summer.  Starbucks is a little indulgence anyone would love!

 

 

 

And finally, because nothing makes road trips (or even a lazy Saturday morning) more fun than a “free” stop at Cracker Barrel!

So many reasons I love giving gift cards during the holidays and now that most of these companies offer e-cards the gift giving is instantaneous and even easier!

If you need a last-minute gift, click on any of the gift card images above and buy one for someone on your list!

Happy Last Minute Shopping!

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Christmas Stockings with a Twist

Who says Christmas Stockings have to be stockings?  This year I opted to change things up a bit and used cloth bins as Christmas Stockings for my family.

These cute bins are sold in a set of three at Ikea for $7.99.  Each of the small gifts inside were wrapped either in tissue paper or gift wrap scraps.  The glitter letters are from Wal-Mart and came with the metal curly hanger.

I love that these “stockings” are not only different but that the bins can be used long after Christmas.  I love a thrifty Christmas!

Did anyone else do some unique for their Christmas stockings this year?

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The Magic of Christmas

 Hi all,

You know my friend Suenette, who decorates over-the-top for Halloween?  Well, her Christmas décor is just as pretty and worthy of its own post here on ConfettiStyle so sit back and enjoy in the merriment!

 

This picture does not do their main Christmas tree justice.  It is decorated with hundreds of vintage and Christopher Radko ornaments AND it spins!  It is so magical and beautiful!

 

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What is Ornaments Were All you Had?

Want to know the answer to that question, then head over to Rhonda’s blog where I’m guest posting today on that very subject.

Cheers!

 

 

Thanks Rhonda for hosting me over at your fantastic blog!

 

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Gift Wrap Inspiration: From the Most Gifted Wrappers

Happy Monday and Happy Holidays!

There are only 9 more days until Christmas and I hope you’ve got all (or at least most) of your shopping done!  Now it’s time to wrap all those gift treasures and what better inspiration do you need then wrapping tips from the finalist in the 2012 Scotch Most Gifted Wrapper Contest.

Taking part in the contest was a highlight of my year and I learned lots of new wrapping tips from my fellow contestants.  So, to share the love I asked all the contestants to share a few of their favorite and most creative gift wrapping tips with all my readers.  You’ll definitely want to take notes and PIN these images because you are getting the 411 from some of the nations best gift wrappers!  Just call it my Christmas Gift to you.

Enjoy and be utterly inspired!

image courtesy of Ellinee

 

Our first most Gifted Wrapper is Lia!  Lia is the Creative Director of Elli Design Studio and was the winner of the Most Gift Wrapper Contest. Beautiful is the only way to describe the gifts wrapped by Lia!

 Lia’s gift wrapping tips…

• Use tissue paper and paper scraps to create beautiful embellishments for your gifts like paper flowers, paper bows and snowflake toppers.
• When a plain store-bought gift bag won’t do your gift justice, make your own using fancy wrapping paper and ribbon. 

 To see more of Lia’s gift wrapping ideas and view the tutorials for making paper flowers and gift bags,  check out the Ellinee Blog.  You’ll also find beautiful cards and stationery products in the Ellinee Shop!

image courtesy of Jolie Colis

Next up is Carol!  Carol is the owner and designer of Jolie Colis, The Perfect Parcel, an online custom gift wrapping shop.  Carol can work some magic with paper and ribbon and creates some of the most stylish gifts I’ve seen.

Carol’s gift wrapping tips…

• Create re-usable keepsake boxes by wrapping two-piece boxes separately, to avoid having to tear paper. It’s a pretty and green way to wrap a gift.
• Personalize gift boxes with photos instead of name tags. Not only is this incredibly cute and sentimental, it’s great for smaller kids who aren’t reading yet. They’ll see their face on the gift and know it’s for them.

The Jolie Colis website is filled with beautiful wrapping images and be sure to follow the Jolie Colis Blog for even more ideas and inspiration.

You can also buy Carol’s custom wrapped boxes via her Etsy Shop.

images courtesy of Shasta Blasta

Now let me introduce Shasta!  Shasta loves gift wrapping so much that she created a blog on the very subject.  Shasta loves to wrap with unique papers and color combinations which give here gifts even more style.

Shasta’s gift wrapping tips…

• Look at alternatives to traditional ribbon to wrap your gifts in.  One favorite idea is to create paper ribbons by wrapping gifts in contrasting paper bands.
• When you want a bold topper for your gift, create a paper fan topper that will add lots of pizazz!

Shasta’s blog,  Shastablasta Wraps Presents Well is where you’ll find more gift wrapping tips, craft projects and lots of amusement.

Shasta also has an Etsy shop where she sells letterpress cards and craft items.

photos courtesy of Stationery Station

 Our next Most Gifted Wrapper is Sheryl.  Sheryl is the owner of a great stationery and paper store in Chicago called Stationery Station.  Sheryl has been wrapping for years and love

Sheryl’s gift wrapping tips…

• Layers, Layers, Layers are the way to create beautifully wrapped gifts.  Create belly bands by layering several scraps pieces of paper together and wrapping them around a package.
• Use unusual and unexpected items like dried flowers, ornaments and craft beads to embellish your gifts.

If you live in Chicago, make sure to stop in and visit the Stationery Station or check out the Stationery Station website for more inspiration!

images courtesy of Michelle Beshaw

 Next up is Michelle.  Michelle is a uber talented Theatre Artist and Puppeteer from Brooklyn.  Having worked at one of my favorite stores, Kate’s Paperie for years, Michelle knows the ins and outs of creating beautiful gift wrapping.  Her forte’ is elegant embellishments.

Michelle’s gift wrapping tips…

• Use glitter as a way to embellish plain paper and gift wrap accents.  The white swirls on the gift above were created with chunky white glitter!
• Another way to add interest to your gift wrap paper is by sewing papers together to create layers ( see package with red velvet ribbon).

You can follow Michelle at here blog, Michelle Beshaw Blog or find more of her inspiration on her website, Michelle Beshaw!

Two of the other contestants were not able to take part in this blog post as they are SUPER busy wrapping gifts and running businesses this time of year.

• Michelle at Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, KY.  Michelle is co-owner of this incredible toy store and can wrap any size and shape of toy that comes her way!
• Brenda is keeping busy managing a Papyrus store in California.  If you’re looking for beautiful wrapping paper, Papyrus is definitely a store you want to check out.  I just purchased a few sheets of beautiful paper there last week.

And, of course I couldn’t end without giving you a few gift wrapping tips of my own.  If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know I love to take everyday items and use them as part of my gift wrapping.  The unexpected is what gives my gifts their style!

I picked up a pack of pretty holiday paper plates and immediately thought they’d look great as a gift topper.  I punched a hole top and bottom, inserted ribbon and wrapped my box.    If you’re someone who decorates with a theme, you could also use the plates as part of your holiday dining table décor or even as ornaments on the tree.

Looking for a fun gift tag or package topper idea, how about paper wine bottle tags?  I picked these up at HomeGoods for $1.99 for a pk. of 10.  Wine tags already have a To: and From: area so they are an ideal option as a creative gift tag!

Whew, that’s a lot great ideas to absorb!  Now it’s time to get wrapping so get going!

  I’ll be guest posting tomorrow over at Rhonda E. Peterson’s blog Stylish Places Designed for Living so be sure to check out the fun holiday decorating ideas I’ll be sharing!

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Christmas Decor 2012

 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around my parts!  

I’m loving  my colorful Christmas Tree.  All of the ornaments are handmade (swirled paint inside clear glass ornaments)!

 I decided to use solid color wrapping paper for my gifts and use contrasting colored ribbons and a cluster of small ornaments and jingle bells as embellishments.  Each family member has their own color of wrapping paper so no gift tags are needed.

I created a framed chalkboard to hang on one wall near the tree.

I couldn’t resist these faux fur wine bags from Restoration Hardware and decided to use them as stockings for the hubby and I.

My sheet music wreath hangs on a mirror in the dining room.

A festive bow and greenery hangs on a half wall.

I add a little cheer to a brass birdcage that sits on top of an armoire.

I decided to keep a colorful theme with my dining table decor.  The striped velvet runner I purchased from Crate and Barrel several years ago.  The silver chargers are from Target.

I painted small metal trays I found at a flea market in chalkboard paint and added a festive message at place setting.

I placed a handmade ornament at in a glass and added a gift tag that I made using Scotch Expressions Tape.  Love this stuff!

My metal cones a filled with ornaments and hang from near the stair rail.

I decided to add a little Christmas  decor to the bedroom as well by hanging a wreath on the headboard.  I also changed out my yellow and grey pillows for red and hunter green one for Christmas.

A mini tree sits in a mercury glass bowl on the nightstand.

And, my dress form even got in on the Christmas mix!

To see my Christmas decor from 2011 head here!

 

 

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