DIY High Tea Mason Jar Gift Set – Gift Unders $20

December 15, 2018

The last few years I’ve shared some fun DIY mason jar gift ideas with you. The first was the Mason Jar Matches that make a great gift paired with a candle. Next I shared a DIY Gift Tag Mason Jar that would make a unique hostess gift. And then there was the Spiced Tea Recipe that looks great packaged in a pretty mason jar. Today I’m back with another simple DIY mason jar gift idea for anyone that loves tea.

To make this fun tea gift set, you’ll need the following items:

Mason Jar
Tea Bags
Honey Spoons
Chocolate Bites
Tea Bag Squeezer
Small Spoon
Ribbon

Once you’ve filled the mason jar with all the goodies, tie the spoon onto the jar using your ribbon.

tip: look for vintage spoons or baby spoons at antique stores. I found this set of silver-plated holiday themed spoons at a flea market.

mason jar // tea sampler pack // honey spoons // tea bag squeezer (mine is vintage–similar here) // holiday spoons

This Mason Jar Gift Set is a budget-friendly gift and cost less than $12 to make. I think this gift would be perfect for a hostess gift, a gift for a teacher or a gift for a neighbor!

Do you know someone who this gift would be perfect for?

My Gift Wrap Theme | Christmas 2018

December 6, 2018

Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments on my Merry & Bright Holiday Home Tour post yesterday. I’ve enjoyed sharing my holiday decor and giving your peek inside my home, all decorated for Christmas.

One of the things I love most about creating my Christmas theme is coming up with gift wrap to match my decor. Every year I pick wrapping paper and ribbon to coordinate with my tree, and I find fun embellishments to accent my gifts. A beautifully wrapped gift is just part of the holiday gift giving process for me.

Several years ago I made a gift wrap crate and love using it during the holidays. The crate holds all my wrapping supplies and is on wheels so I can roll it wherever I’m wrapping gifts. I also love that everything is easily accessible for Mr. Confetti so his wrapped gifts don’t stray from my theme.

I use small tension rods to separate the paper rolls and boxes, and another one holds ribbon spools. Plastic cups are attached to each side of the crate and hold tags, embellishment, tape and scissors. Everything I need to wrap gifts all in one place.

Here’s a look at some of the wrapping paper and ribbon I’m using this year along with a few tips on coordinating your gift wrap elements.

TIPS FOR COORDINATING YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP

Create a color theme for your gift wrap using one or all of the colors in your Christmas tree decor. My tree theme this year was blue and white with pops of green and pink so those are the colors in my wrapping paper.
Use a variety of designs and patterns to keep things fun and interesting. Some years I will use a different paper for each member of the family which makes it easy to know who gets what gifts. It also eliminates the need for gift tags.
Don’t limit yourself to just traditional wrapping paper. Wall paper, scrapbook paper, patterned drawer liners and paper table runners make great gift wrap too!

To save money, instead of Christmas themed paper, buy all-occasion patterns that fits your color theme. Then use gift tags and embellishments to give the gifts a Christmas touch.
Use ribbons in different materials and widths to make each wrapped gift unique.

Now that you know my insider tips for wrapping beautiful Christmas gifts, here’s a list of my favorite sources for wrapping paper and ribbon.

Where I Buy My Ribbon:

The Ribbon Roll
May Arts
Paper Mart
Save On Crafts–a great source of unique ribbons like linen, lace, metal and vintage designs.

My Favorite Places To Buy Gift Wrap:

Make sure to come back tomorrow because I’ll be sharing lots more gift wrap inspiration as well as the fun gift embellishments I’m using this year.

Holiday Gift Guide | Books I Love

December 4, 2018

Have you made a dent with your Christmas gift list? I’ve scratched a few things off mine and hope to get the rest of my shopping done next week.

Today I’m sharing another gift guide with you. This one is a round-up of some of my top book picks of the year. From entertaining and decor, to an inspiring memoir, all to these books will make a great gifts.

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THE GIFT OF READING…

Becoming by Michelle Obama–The minute I heard the Michele Obama was releasing a book, I put it on my Christmas list. I loved following her during her time as First Lady and admire the woman she is. I’m looking forward to learning more about Michelle’s life and the things that inspire her. This is a great gift for women of all ages.

Small Space Style by Whitney Leigh Morris–Have you ever thought about living in a tiny house or even downsizing your home? This book shares her tips and ideas for living stylishly in under 400 sq feet. And even is your house isn’t that small, there are lots of tips that anyone can use to create a stylish home.

Suzanne Kasler: Sophisticated Simplicity–Suzanne Kasler is one of my favorite designers and her books are always inspiring. As the title says, the pages of her newest book is filled with sophisticated simplicity. Beautiful interiors, inspiring vignettes and design tips that will help you create the home of your dreams.

Dream Design Live by Paloma Contreras–I ordered this book earlier this year and have spent countless hours flipping through the pages. Paloma has put some of her best design work on display and walks us through her process of design beautiful spaces. A must for anyone with a career or passion for design and decor.

The Book To Read Is Not One That Thinks For You But The One Which Makes You Think! Harper Lee

Nina Campbell Interior Decoration: Elegance and Ease–I’ve been a fan of Nina Campbell for years and own several of her books. This book is beautifully designed with stunning images of Campbell’s work over the years. A treasure trove of inspiration for anyone that loves classic, traditional decor with unexpected design details.

Savor: Entertaining with Charcuterie, Cheese Spreads & More–Since cooking is really not my thing, I’m drawn to cookbooks that make entertaining easy. Page after page of easy recipes and Charcuterie spreads that you’ll want to re-create for your next party.

Veranda Escapes–Another gorgeous book by former Veranda editor, Clinton Smith. Filled with beautiful images of gardens, pools and outdoor spaces, this book will inspire your personal outdoor oasis.

The Book Of Flowers–The cover of this book is what initially captivated me and after flipping through a few pages I was all in. Every page features illustrated watercolor images that are worthy of framing and displaying in your home.

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As we countdown to Christmas, I have a few more gift guides to share with you so stay tuned. To view my other gift guides, click the banners below…

**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I might make a small commission at no extra cost to you

Handmade Christmas Bow Using Ribbon

December 2, 2018

Given the choice between old-fashioned store-bought bows and a beautiful bow made by hand, a handcrafted bow wins every time. Today I’m sharing an easy project that takes a classic multi-point bow up a notch using ribbon from The Ribbon Roll.

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS BOW MADE WITH RIBBON

Supply List:

7/8” Christmas Stripes Wired Edge

1 3/8” Velvet Merrowed Wired Edge Ribbon

Hot Glue Gun and Glue

White Cardstock

Directions:

Step 1: Cut (4) 10″ strips, (4) 9″ strips and (1) 3 1/2” strip of your ribbon. Using two different lengths of ribbon will make the top layer of the bow a little smaller than the bottom layer.

Step 2: Take one of the longest ribbon pieces and loop the right side around to the center and glue the end in place. Loop the other end of the ribbon in the same manner and glue the end in place.

Step 3: Repeat the same steps will all the ribbon pieces except the shortest 3 1/2″ long piece.

Step 5: You are now going to layer and glue the looped pieces together. Take one of the longer looped pieces and place a dot of glue in the center where the ribbon ends meet. Place the second large loop piece on top of the glue with the points going in a different direction.

Step 7: Continue gluing each set of loops onto the center of the bow, working from the largest loops up to the smaller loops. Each time you layer a piece of ribbon, make sure the pointed end are pointing in a different direction.

Step 8: After all the lopped pieces are layered, add the center loop. Form a circle with the 3 1/2″ L piece of ribbon, overlapping the ends and glue them together. Glue the circle piece in the center of your bow.

Step 9: Cut a 1.75″ circle out of the cardstock and glue it to the back of the bow. This creates a solid base to attach the bow to a gift.

note: Since the velvet ribbon is wider than the stripe, I was able to make it using only the 4 longer strips of ribbon plus the center loop.

HANDMADE RIBBON BOWS

tip: You can use a variety of ribbon styles to make these classic bows including both wired edge and non-wired edge. If you want to make a much larger bow, use ribbon 1 1/2” or wider and cut your strips longer.

Here are my favorite Ribbon Roll Christmas ribbons for this project:

2 1/2” Christmas Ornaments Ribbon
7/8” Cheerful Plaid Wired Edge Ribbon
1 1/2” Linen Candy Stripe Wired Edge Ribbon
7/8” Herringbone Candy Cane Ribbon
My favorite Everyday ribbon for this project:
2 1/2” Mauve Velvet Merrowed Wired Edge Ribbon
1 1/2” Grosgrain Charm Ribbon
1 1/2” Cabana Stripes Wired Edge Ribbon
Dupioni Silk Ribbon

I hope you enjoyed this ribbon craft. Be sure to hop over to The Ribbon Roll to check out all of the amazing ribbons they sell. You’ll also find other ribbon craft projects on their blog.

The Art Of The Hostess Gift | Countdown To Christmas

December 1, 2018

A few years ago, during the holiday season, I started a series called 30 Days Of Holidays on the blog. Each year, starting late November up to Christmas Eve I share holiday decorating, entertaining, gifting and craft ideas. This year I’m bringing the series back with a new name, Countdown To Christmas! And I’m kicking the season off with The Art Of The Hostess Gifts.

Holiday party season is in full swing and selecting a unique hostess gift can be challenging. If you’re heading to a party this season, here are some dos and don’ts on buying and giving the perfect hostess gift.

Rule number one for being the party or house guest possible: Never show up empty-handed! A thoughtful gift doesn’t have to be expensive or over-the-top; nor does it have to be something typical like flowers or a bottle of wine. A hostess gift should be a personal reflection of the person you are giving it to.

Creativity Over Cost

Depending on the occasion and your relationship to the hosts, a good gift budget is between $15 and $25 dollars. To come up with a creative gift, think about the hosts hobbies and the things they like to do in their down time. Buy a gift that makes a personal connection to the things they love.

Some of my favorite hostess gifts this year are these votive candle holders, this monogrammed mug and this silver plated picture frame.

Hostess Gift Ideas Everyone Will Love and Use:

Monogrammed Matchbooks–this has become my go-to hostess gift because it’s unique and is great for every occasion.
Scented Candles–pick a traditional holiday scent or a mild everyday scent and then pair the candle with a DIY decorative jar filled with matches.
Confetti Decanter--wine drinkers will love this and non-wine drinkers can use it to serve punch or juices from.
Marble Salt Cellar + Pink Himalayan Salt–for the hosts that love to cook
Cookie Mix In A Jar–a fun gift for a family to make together and then enjoy.
Monogram Letter Wall Hanging–a unique gift for the front door, gallery wall grouping or over the mantel.
Personalized Playing Cards–this gift is outside the box and has fun written all over it.
Gourmet coffee and a bag of biscotti–for coffee drinkers, this is a treat the hosts can enjoy long after the party. Substitute tea and a set of Christmas tea-spoon for tea drinker.

DIY decorative mason jar matches

diy gift tag jar

Let the Gift Match the Occasion

Not every party or hostess gift occasion is created equal. Your hostess gift should reflect the occasion or party theme. Choose a specialty bottle of liquor over a housewares item for a cocktail party. Consider a beautiful tray instead of a plant for a formal dinner party. Keep the tone and nature of the party in mind, and gift accordingly.

DIY gift wrap tray liner

Christmas cone turned holiday door arrangement

No Gift Should Go Unwrapped

While I know wrapping gifts isn’t for everyone, it is important to wrap your gift so you can present it in style. A store bought gift bag with tissue paper is totally acceptable but if you have more time, wrap your gift to make it extra special. My gift bag tutorial shows you how to make your own bags from wrapping paper. Or you use this gift wrap inspiration to inspire a special gift wrap for the hosts.

Faux flower gift wrap embellishment

Party hosts don’t always have time to unwrap your gift during the party so make sure and finish off the wrapping with a gift like these ease DIY fabric tags.

Gifts To Avoid

An important rule to remember when gifting is never bring anything that makes more work for your hosts. If you’re buying flowers, include the cost of a vase so the flowers are ready to be set out when you arrive at the party.
Avoid overly personal gifts, such as perfume, bath products, or articles of clothing. And resist taking a pre-made food gift unless the host ask for it specifically.
Shy away from Christmas ornaments unless it’s a classic crystal or glass ornaments, or if you’re familiar with the hosts decorating style.
Books usually don’t make a great hostess gift unless it’s a little too personal and everyone has their own taste in what they read.
Although practical, gift cards can come off a bit impersonal when giving them as a hostess gift. Buy a gift and include a gift receipt so that the hosts can exchange it if it’s something they won’t use.

diy monogram stir sticks // diy mug wraps

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Hostess gifts are meant to express your appreciation to the hosts for including you in the festivities. There are a variety of easy and affordable ways to show your gratitude for all the time and effort they put into the occasion. Select a meaningful gift, wrap it with style and show up ready to enjoy the event
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Gifts For Him | Holiday Gift Guide For The Men In Your Life

November 29, 2018

The struggle is real folks! Buying gifts for men can be a real challenge especially if they are like the men in my life. My brother is a techie with every gadget known to man, my husband is a ‘whatever’ guy and my nephew pretty much lives for fitness and sports training. I always struggle with what to get them for Christmas but this year I’m determined to find the perfect gift.

If you have men in your life that are hard to buy for, I hope my Gifts For Him gift guide helps. There’s something for everyone and all of the gifts have one thing in common–they’re stylish!

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THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THE MEN ON YOUR LIST

No. 1--I was watching Shark Tank the other night and saw the Original Bottle Keeper on the show. I thought the product was really cool and the sharks raved about it too. If you have a beer drinker or old school soda drinker on your list this will make a great gift.

No. 2—Smart Tools Bluetooth Speaker–If your guy has an old school boom-box out in the garage like mine, I think it’s time to upgrade him to this sleek and compact blue-tooth speaker.

No. 3—Breville Panini Press & Grill–We bought this grill a few years ago and it has quickly become my husbands favorite cooking tool. It heats up in a breeze and it perfect for grilling steaks or burgers indoors, during the cold months.

No. 4—Men’s Tech Folio–This is a great accessory for the man who does a lot of business traveling or commutes to work.

No. 5—Coach Platinum Cologne Gift Set–Mr. Confetti recently went on the hunt for a new cologne for him and the Coach Platinum was the winner.

No. 6—Micro Suede Moccasin Slipper–The monogram on these slippers makes them extra special. They are available in 4 colors and under $30 with code SNOWBALL.

No. 7—Target: Alex Cross by James Patterson–My husband is a big fan of James Patterson, especially this Alex Cross series. The latest book is great for anyone that loves thrillers.

No. 8—Homiee Felt Laptop Case–This case is made for holding a laptop but it’s also great for holding papers and files. The price is amazing so you might one to get one for yourself while you’re at it.

No. 9—Merino Wool Mock Neck Sweater–A beautiful sweater the will last for years. Available in 6 colors.

No. 10—Handwarmer Powerbank by Eddie Bauer–Such perfect gift for guys that tailgate, hunt, fish or any cold-weather outdoor activity.

No. 11—Oversized Fleece Throw–Standard size throw blankets (50″ x 60″) are never long enough for men. This plaid one from Wayfair is oversized (70″ x 60″) and looks great!

No. 12—Personalized Decanter Set–Such and elegant gift for any guy that loves to entertain or enjoys at cocktail at the end of the day.

**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I might make a small commission at no extra cost to you

HO, HO Happy Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags

November 27, 2018

Don’t you just love the Christmas season? I sure do. As I was driving today, listening to Christmas music, I noticed the tension I’ve been feeling this year was lifted. I pondered why and it dawned on me that instead of watching the news, I’ve been watching Christmas movies. They have been a great distraction to all the strife and turmoil that’s going on across the world and they’ve lifted my spirits. I just might have to make Christmas movies a part of my normal routine?

Anyway, back to our regular scheduled programming.

Over the next week, I’ll be sharing my gift wrap theme and lots of gift wrap inspiration with you. But today, I’m sharing some fun and FREE printable gift tags that I made just for you. I designed these tags with a sense of whimsy and personality in mind, kinda of how my spirits are these days. Once you print your gift tags (on 8 1/2″ X 11″ paper), just punch a hole in the top and tie them onto a gift with ribbon.

Tip: for best results, print the tags on mid-weight cardstock or photo paper.

For those of you that want more colorful tags, you can download my Merry & Bright tags here.

Click Here To Download Your Christmas Gift Tags

If you use these gift tags on any of your holiday gifts, please share a photo on Instagram and use the hashtag #confettistylegiftwrap

Happy Wrapping!

Cyber Monday Sales | And A Few Favorite Finds

November 26, 2018

Happy Cyber Monday friends! Today has been kind of crazy with my multi-taking skills in over-drive. Along with trying taking photos of my Christmas decor, I’m getting products ready for two Christmas installs this week and I’m trying to get some blog work done for another client. And on top of all that, I’m trying to stay warm because old man winter definitely made his appearance today.

I did want to pop on today and share some awesome Cyber Monday Sales with you. And if you missed it, lots of my holiday gift guides picks are still available. Click to check out my Gifts For Her Gift Guide and my Chinoiserie Gift Guide. I’ll be sharing more gift guides this week and be sure to stop back on Wednesday for the Merry & Bright Holiday Home Tour!

My favorite Cyber Monday sales:

Macy’s–-my go to store for cosmetic gift sets, winter outerwear and cute pajamas. This Clinique gift set is always a fave.

Loft–50% off your purchase + Free Shipping! So many cute pieces in the Lou & Grey collection.

Anthropologie–30% off everything and free shipping over $100. I love this mug (along with the rest of blogland).

Waiting On Martha Home–-30% off with code Monday30. I recently bought this pouch for myself and think it would make a great gift.

Pottery Barn–25 % off your regular price order and savings up to 75% off at PB and all to their sister companies–Williams Sonoma, PB Kids, PB Teen, Rejunvenation and Mark and Graham. This cozy robe is a great buy.

Kate Spade–-30% off full-price items and an extra 40% off sale items. Love this Holiday Lane Page tote and these pouf earrings.

Paper Source–Up to 50% off. I love their seasonal and everyday wrapping paper and this personalized embosser makes a great gift.

Container Store–20% off a different product category all week. And online only its buy 4 stocking stuffers get the 5th one free.

and last but not least….

Amazon! This Ancestry DNA kit is a great price and there are some great deals on magazine subscriptions including this, this and this.