Wantist: Give Amazing Gifts

Posts by Capree

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How to Make DIY Gift Bows from Recycled Magazines!

DIY Recycled Magazine Bows

DIY Recycled Magazine Bows, photo from Whole Living

From newspapers to paper grocery bags, there are plenty of ways to wrap your gift in recycled materials–but recycled magazine bows??  That’s pure genius, people!  The crafty folks over at Martha Stewart-owned Whole Living created this clever tutorial for turning your old glossies into colorful, hand-made gift toppers.  You’ll need about one page per bow and some double-sided tape.  Grab those then head over to Whole Living to see how this eco-friendly craft comes together!

(h/t 100 Layer Cake)

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12 Pretty Packages to Inspire Your Holiday Gift-Wrapping!

Pretty packages galore!  Tied up with everything from string to bows, pompoms to lace, and even recycled produce bags, these clever gift wrapping ideas are sure to get your creative juices flowing. Happy gift giving!

12 Pretty Packages to Inspire Your Holiday Gift-Wrapping!

1. Braided Yarn and Felt Leaves from Danielle Thompson

2. Colorful Packaging and DIY Embellishments from Oh, Hello Friend

3. Miu Miu-Inspired Glitter and Velvet Gift Wrap from Ambrosia Creative

4. Re-purposed Produce Packaging as Ribbon from Tokketok

12 Pretty Packages to Inspire Your Holiday Gift-Wrapping!

5. Calligraphy-Inspired News Years Gifts from Shim Tokk

6. Paper Snowflake Gift Wrap from How About Orange

7. Hand-Drawn Gift Wrap from Mini-Eco

8. Creative Hardware Store Embellishments from Lowes Creative

12 Pretty Packages to Inspire Your Holiday Gift-Wrapping!

9. Feather and String Packaging from In Haus Press (h/t Oh, Hello Friend)

10. Pompoms and Jingle Bells Gift Wrap from Danielle Thompson

11. Beautiful Color Combo Ideas from The Purl Bee

12. Re-purposed Trader Joe’s Grocery Bags from A Creative Mint

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12 Pretty Packages to Inspire Your Holiday Gift-Wrapping!12 Pretty Packages to Inspire Your Holiday Gift-Wrapping!

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Free Holiday Gift Tag Printables from Sass&Peril!

Free Printable Gift Tags from Sass&Peril

Free Printable Gift Tags from Sass&Peril, photo by Shannon Kennedy

Sass&Peril is a screenprint shop run by awesomesauce designer Shannon Kennedy.  I’ve been a big fan of her charming, graphic style for a long time and was pleased as punch to find out that she’s offering FREE gift tag printables for the holidays!  There are 9 downloadable designs in all, so head over to her blog to check ‘em out.  (My favorite of the bunch?  The “Warning: absolutely NO peeking, shaking, sniffing” tag!)

Download Holiday Gift Tag Printables from Sass&Peril

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Gifts From Kids: Homemade Mini Art Magnets

Mini Art Magnets by Momtastic

Mini Art Magnets, photo by Liz Stanley

I remember making holiday gifts for my grandparents a lot as a kid, mostly giant “works of art” that consumed about 80 percent of their refrigerator door space. I’m sure my creations were cherished (at least my little heart hoped so–I was giving away my masterpieces!) even if their epic size went unappreciated. That’s why these mini art/canvas magnets from Momtastic are so, well, fantastic! You can encourage your budding Picasso and get them on the “Meaningful Gift-Giving Wagon” early, while still respecting Grandma’s  precious refrigerator real estate. And like I said, they’re magnetized, which means they’re totally practical. Right?

Head over to Momtastic for a supply list and tutorial–you may even find yourself joining in on the fun!

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Tasteful Type: Make Your Own Typographic Gift Wrap!

DIY Typographic Gift Wrap / Image: Chris Gardner

DIY Typographic Gift Wrap, Photo by Chris Gardner

Hey, remember that awesome alphabet wrap?  If you loved those letters but want something a little more custom ‘n’ crafty, we’ve got the perfect DIY gift wrap for you!

DIY Typographic Gift Wrap by ManMadeDIY

DIY Typographic Gift Wrap, Photo by Chris Gardner

Our buddy Chris from ManMade created this clever typographic gift wrap using craft paper and an old book. If you’re hesitant to start hacking up tomes however, you could try magazines or newspapers for the same print effect. For a more colorful spin, I love the idea of using Chris’ downloadable alphabet templates with bright neon card stock or patterned scrapbook paper! Whatever you decide, gather up your dutiful brown craft paper and grab your trusty Xacto. Then head on over to ManMade for the full tutorial and free typeface downloads (there are 4 to choose from). Happy crafting!

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DIY Typographic Gift Wrap by ManMadeDIY

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Easier Than It Looks: Make a Woven Paper Gift Topper!

DIY Woven Paper Gift Topper / Mini Eco
We love a good burst of color, especially in the form of delectable gift wrapping. If you can make that gift wrap yourself all the better! So when I spied this tutorial for a fun and funky paper gift topper, I was over the moon (or should that be ‘rainbow’?).

Aside from looking super awesome, this woven gift topper is surprisingly simple to make. Kate from Mini Eco (the same brilliant lady that brought us that colored pencil jewelry–yum!) shares this simple tutorial for creating your own show-stopping topping.

All you need is colored paper and sticky tape. The colors, of course, are up to you! What do you envision? Shades of a favorite color? Silver and gold? The possibilities!

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Make This Gift: Stitched Map Art!

Stitched Map Art / Image: Martha Stewart Living

Stitched Map Art, photo from Martha Stewart Living

Maybe it’s the weather (or all those delicious fall smells), but I’ve been feeling mighty nostalgic lately. Anyone else feeling wistful these days? I was reminiscing about past adventures just recently when I spotted this great little DIY art and gift idea from Martha Stewart Living.

Celebrate and remember family vacations or road trips with friends by hand-stitching the route on maps and framing them—brilliant! It’s sentimental without being too cheesy; handmade without looking like a summer camp craft you made in the 4th grade; and inexpensive without looking cheap or last-minute. In other words, it’s the perfect DIY gift!

Stitched Map Art / Image: Martha Stewart Living

Stitched Map Art, photo from Martha Stewart Living

I already have a few stitch-friendly road trips in mind, including one that would make a great anniversary gift (shh, don’t tell). What about you? Do any specific vacations or trips spring to mind? What was your destination?

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Stitched Map Art / Image: Martha Stewart LivingStitched Map Art / Image: Martha Stewart Living

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Celebrating a Life: 60 Years of Memories

60 Years of Memories / Image: Holly Burns

60 Years of Memories, photo by Holly Burns

Every now and then, you come across a gift idea so brilliant–and so brilliantly heartfelt–that it restores your faith in humanity. You may call that hyperbole, but I’m being totally serious. My heart swelled and I got all teary eyed after reading about this gift idea from Holly Burns. As a way to celebrate her dad’s 60th birthday, she gathered letters and nostalgic tales from all the people nearest and dearest to him. The result is a collection of 60 years of memories, a story of a life, woven together by events big and small. It’s a gift that will be cherished not only now, but for generations! I mean, how can you beat that?

60 Years of Memories / Image: Holly Burns

60 Years of Memories, photo by Holly Burns

While this idea originated as a birthday gift, I love the thought of adapting it for other significant events: wedding anniversaries, retirement, even Mother’s/Father’s Day! Do you have any other ideas on how to expound on or adapt this idea? Who would you give the gift of memories to? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Also, please, please, please go read Holly’s post–it’s beautifully written, full of photos, and is guaranteed to give you warm fuzzies.

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60 Years of Memories / Image: Holly Burns

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Freebie McGee: Creepy Halloween Printables!

Creepy Halloween Printables from Funkytime

Creepy Halloween Printables from Funkytime, photo by Sibylle Roessler

I know we just shared some super awesome printables from Sibylle Roessler (of Funkytime fame), but dang, that girl is ON TOP OF THINGS. How she finds the time to design all this printable goodness, take gorgeous photos, and present it to the world in the cutest possible way, I will never know. But I am so happy she does because, hello, look how ridiculously cool these Halloween printables are!  

From Fang Floss (a spooky version of baker’s twine) to bottled Panic Attacks, there’s a label for all your gift giving needs this Halloween. Heck, who doesn’t want a bottle of “Moldy Organ Marmalade”?? Yummy!

To get these Halloween printable shenanigans started, head over to Funkytime–there are four downloads in all!

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Make this gift: DIY Caramel Apple Kit

DIY Caramel Apple Kit

DIY Caramel Apple Kit, Photo by Kimberley Hasselbrink

This fun DIY gift makes use of one of the best food combos of all time: caramel sauce and apples. It’s where ooey gooey meets crisp and delicious… and they make sweet, sweet food babies that are the perfect accompaniment to fall and winter. SO, why not give the gift of caramel apple goodness to friends, neighbors, co-workers, or anyone who appreciates thoughtfully put together gifts? Sounds like a pretty great idea to me!

DIY Caramel Apple Kit

DIY Caramel Apple Kit, Photo by Kimberley Hasselbrink

Kimberley Hasselbrink shares this awesome how-to over on Oh Happy Day and suggests pairing your kits with cute vintage butter knives for slicing up apples and spreading on the good stuff.  With an assortment of toppings like chopped pistachios, bacon bits, coconut flakes, or even sea salt, you can make this kit as gourmet as you’d like!  Is your mouth watering yet??  Head on over to Oh Happy Day for tips on how to put together your own perfectly delicious caramel apple kits!

psst… It’s Caramel Apple Day—what a great way to celebrate!

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DIY Caramel Apple Kit

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Freebie Alert! Printable Birthday Invites and Goodie Bags

Printable Birthday Invites and Goodie Bags from Funkytime

Printable Birthday Invites from Funkytime, Photo by Sibylle Roessler

I know we’re all gearing up for fall and winter holidays, but last time I checked, birthdays are always in season! (Right Libras?)

To help your celebration go off without a hitch, Funkytime blogger Sibylle Roessler is offering up super festive invitation and goodie bag printables. She also shares some pretty great DIY ideas for sprucing them up with pompoms, rickrack, and fringe—yum! And wouldn’t you know it, her techniques are equally snazzy for homemade treats and wrapped packages too.

Happy downloading and, of course, happy birthday-ing!

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Make Your Own DIY Vanilla Extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract / Image credit: Kathleen Ullman

Homemade Vanilla Extract, photo by: Kathleen Ullman

Show foodie friends how much you care (about their tastes and their friendship) by gifting them your own homemade vanilla extract. They’ll be impressed with your apparent alchemy skills and you’ll score some major brownie points as an awesome gift giver.

Printable Homemade Vanilla Extract Labels from Style Me Pretty

Printable Homemade Vanilla Extract Labels from Style Me Pretty

To make everything even more special, consider using a unique, cork-topped jar and/or printing custom labels (like the free printable labels above, by Style Me Pretty).

Wrap it up in a bow (or dip the cork in wax if you feel like getting super fancy) and you’re good to go. The best part about this DIY gift?  It’s insanely easy. Check out how to make your own over on Simply Recipes!

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Printable Homemade Vanilla Extract Labels from Style Me Pretty