Crafts | Decorating & Holiday Tips | Gift Basket Ideas | Tie-ing & Wrapping it all up
 
 
 

Crafts/Gifts

 
 
 

All Crafts.net
http://www.allcrafts.net/xmas.htm

Better Homes and Gardens - Christmas/Holiday Crafting ideas
http://tinyurl.com/4srlu

Celebrating Christmas.com - Craft Ideas, Gift Ideas, Recipes & More
http://www.celebrating-christmas.com
Download for FREE the 65 page issue (PDF file) of the 
Celebrating Christmas 2004 Magazine.
To download the complete 2004 issue free of cost, visit http://www.celebrating-christmas.com/magazine.shtml

this excerpt quoted from Celebrating Christmas E-zine
Celebrating Christmas Ezine  Vol. 1, Issue 4

GIFTS IN A JAR RECIPES
Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Mix
Layer 3/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup brown sugar; firmly packed, 1 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1 3/4 cup flour; mixed with 1 tsp. baking powder; and 1/2 tsp baking soda in order in a wide-mouthed quart size canning jar. 
Attach the following recipe to the jar – 
Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Add 1 1/2 sticks butter, 1 egg, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix until completely blended. Shape into balls and place 2' apart on sprayed baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 13-15 minutes.
Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies
NOTE: This recipe first appeared in the 2004 issue of 'Celebrating Christmas PDF Magazine' and is an excerpt from the feature '101 Homemade Gift Ideas'. 

BATH & BODY GIFTS
Glycerine Soaps
Glycerin blocks, Liquid food coloring, Petroleum jelly, Cotton swabs, Ice cube trays or soap molds
Cut glycerin into chunks, then place in a microwavable bowl.  Melt the glycerin in the microwave on HIGH, stirring at 15-second intervals. About halfway through melting, add a drop or two of food coloring. With a cotton swab, coat the inside of the ice cube tray with petroleum jelly. Pour melted glycerin into the molds, filling each section almost to the top. Let cool at room temperature for about 2 hours. The soaps will come out easily. Tie them in cellophane or place in a gift box.

Lavender Handcream
Lavender Essential Oil, 20 drops Patchouli Essential Oil, 3 drops Jasmine Essential Oil (3% in jojoba oil), 5 drops 100g jar of unscented Base Cream 
2 x 500 iu Vitamin E capsules (de Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate - natural source) 
1/2 tsp. wheatgerm oil 
Lavender Water (optional) 
Glass or plastic spoon or spatula Pin
Pierce the Vitamin E capsules with a pin and squeeze the contents into a jar of base cream. Add the wheatgerm oil followed by the lavender, patchouli and jasmine oils. Stir gently, thoroughly, with a spoon or spatula, ensuring that all of the oils are completely mixed in. Place the lid on the jar and store in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
NOTE: These recipes first appeared in the 2004 issue of 'Celebrating Christmas PDF Magazine' and is an excerpt from the feature '101 Homemade Gift Ideas'. 
To download the complete 2004 issue free of cost, visit: http://www.celebrating-christmas.com/magazine.shtml 

See also on the Celebrating Christmas site:
Gingerbread House 101
by: Mary Ann Ross and Kimberly Lainson
http://www.celebrating-christmas.com/recipes/gingerbread-house.shtml

Gifts from the Kitchen Recipes / Gifts in a Jar Recipes
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/foodgift/foodgift.html

HerCraftIdeas.com
Crafts Library
baskets  |  candles  |  ceramics, clay & pottery  | crochet  |  cross stitch dolls, dollhouses & miniatures  |  embroidery  | floral  |  holidays  |  jewelry kid crafts  |  knitting  |  painting  | 
paper crafts |  quilting  |  rubber stamping | scrapbooking  |  sewing  | 
soap making & beauty products  |  wood crafts

http://www.hercraftideas.com/craftlibrary1.shtml

Candle projects
http://www.hercraftideas.com/candles/candles.shtml
Examples:
Cupcake candles
http://www.hercraftideas.com/crafts/candles/a-candle04_cupcake.shtml

From:
http://www.hercraftideas.com/craftlibrary1.shtml#candles
Brownie Sundae
http://www.hercraftideas.com/crafts/candles/brownie.shtml

Holiday Crafter.com
http://www.holidaycrafter.com/
 

Martha Stewart Online 
Lots of ideas, templates, recipes, hints & tips
Crafts | Holidays | Cooking & Entertaining
Free to print Gift tags and bag handles
 

Organized Christmas
Holiday Gifts and Crafts Index
http://organizedchristmas.com/article92.html

PlaidOnline
Crafting articles and ideas
http://www.plaidonline.com/

MORE FOR THE CRAFTER themselves  - Gift Ideas
Aside from a years worth of the PCCrafter.com PCHugClub membership
for the "ultimate" graphics and crafting gift *most graphics on this page are from
the HugClub ** see these ideas:

Great Holiday Gifts for Crafters
General Crafts 
Crafters are often the hardest people to shop for. You
may know what kind of crafts they like, but you may
not know what supplies they want or need. We've put
together some suggestions that will get rid of the
guess work and leave you with nothing but great
options. 
http://www.plaidonline.com/articleDetail.asp?entry=article&articleID=285

 

Decorating Tips / Time Saving Ideas

Ten Holiday Tips
Turn your home into a holiday showplace this year.
Bows, ribbon, wreaths and a dash of Mother Nature will
add the zest you need this holiday season. The
following ten easy tips will impress all your holiday
guests. Lowe's is happy to provide this information as
a service to you.
http://tinyurl.com/7ybah

HGTV (Home and Garden TV) - Holiday Ideas / Crafts and More
www.hgtv.com

Printable labels to help you get organized: www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_nobanner/text/0,,HGTV_10680_27029,00.html

Related: Check out the HGTV Holiday Crafting Forum Message Board for inspiration
boards.hgtv.com/eve/ubb.x?a=frm&s=1084078532&f=1004031632

Holiday Decorating Tips for the Busy Woman
The holidays are upon us and so is the stress and
pressure of making sure everything is perfect for your
family and friends.  Here are ten simple tips to
decorate for the holidays and still enjoy this time of
year yourself.
http://www.interiorredesigndirectory.com/decorate/decorating_corner_holiday.htm

CHRISTMAS TIPS
http://www.tipztime.com/xmastipz2.html

Organized Christmas
OrganizedChristmas.Com: holiday plans, gifts, crafts and recipes!: 
Get organized for the holiday season!
http://organizedchristmas.com/article-cat-1.html

Checklists, calendars, planner forms, gift tags and crafts
http://organizedchristmas.com/forms_cat_4.html

Calendars
http://organizedchristmas.com/modules.php?name=Printable&file=thumbnails&album=1

Gift Lists and Planner Forms
http://organizedchristmas.com/modules.php?name=Printable&file=thumbnails&album=2

Online Christmas List
Excerpt quoted
Share your christmas list online with friends, family and of course santa. 
Signup now to begin adding items to your christmas list absolutely free! 
We'll leave the naughty or nice part to santa. 
We give you the option to check off items that have been
purchased already so there are no double gifts! 
We also allow anyone that knows your email address 
or username to view your list. 
This site is great for friends and families that are separated by miles
http://www.onlinechristmaslist.com/

Simplify The Holidays
Excerpt quoted:
Not Sold in Stores: Ways to Save Money, Protect the Planet, and Spread Cheer.
http://www.newdream.org/holiday/tips.php
and also read from NewDream.org
Inexpensive, Creative and Eco-friendly Gift Ideas
Did you know that 82% of Americans would rather receive a 
photo album of times shared than a store-bought gift? 
(source: Center for a New American Dream-commissioned Holiday Poll, November 1998)
Just in case you don't want to give memory-filled albums to everyone 
on your gift list, we have lots of other ideas. 
Read complete article:
http://www.newdream.org/holiday/giftideastaff.php

Better Homes & Gardens - Christmas / Holiday Ideas
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/category.jhtml?catref=T25

The Ultimate Christmas Site
http://members.tripod.com/~newyearseve/

See also:
 CHRISTMAS CHECKLISTS
Simplify the Holiday season and have a stressful Christmas 
with these useful planners, checklists, organizing tips and articles.

ORGANIZING

• Get A Jump Start on Holiday Organizing
• How to simplify the season and have your happiest Christmas
• Get a Head Start on the Holidays
• After Christmas Organizing

Find links to them all at:http://www.celebrating-christmas.com/checklists/index.shtml
 

Christmas Central
http://familyinternet.about.com/cs/christmas/l/blchristmas.htm

Operation Letters to Santa
http://www.operationlettertosanta.com/

Say "Merry Christmas" around the World (several languages noted)
http://www.pride-net.com/christmas/

Gift Baskets Ideas

- print these ideas out (copy and paste into a word processing document) 
and three hole punch , place in notebook for future reference

101 Gift Basket Ideas
http://www.angelfire.com/biz5/marlene/GiftBaskets.htm

See the 101 ideas posted on
http://organizedchristmas.com/ftopict-1105.html

Gifts-in-a-jar recipes
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/foodgift/foodgift.html

Tie-ing it all together    Bow-tiful Ideas and Tips

 
How To Tie A Bow - Made Easy! 
by Richard Bedsole 
http://www.creativehomemaking.com/articles/122703c.shtml

Offray's That's a Wrap
http://www.offray.com/howto132.htm

How to Tie a Decorative Bow 
Handmade bows add a special touch to wrapped gifts.
Bows made with holiday ribbon can also be used to
decorate a front door, mantel or Christmas tree during
the holidays. The bow described here is easy to make
and can be created with any size or type of ribbon. 
http://www.ehow.com/how_8020_tie-decorative-bow.html

How to Tie a Bow.
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/howtomakperb.html

Bows Make Instant Festivity
http://www.craftygal.com/archives/1201/table1201.htm

Festive Bows 
Handsome bows are easy to make yourself. To make each
bow one-of-a-kind, add a jingle bell, button, silver
bell, or other tie-on after completing the bow. 
http://tinyurl.com/3sr8c
 

PDF document
Your Guide to Making Beautiful Bows
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/pdf/bow_guide.pdf

Bows And Ribbons How To's
Guide picks
http://sewing.about.com/od/bowsandribbonshowtos/
and
http://sewing.about.com/cs/bowsandribbons/

How to tie a floral bow
http://interiordec.about.com/cs/fallindex/l/blfallpr002.htm
Other ideas for holiday decor
http://interiordec.about.com/cs/christmasdecor/a/holidayideas.htm

Elegant Bows for Easy Holiday Decor 
Holiday decorating is easier than you think. By using
bows, fashioned from inexpensive ribbons, your house,
whether inside or out, can be festive and inviting!
With a simple shoelace bow and a little maneuvering,
you too can add these lovely elegant touches to 
your home's decor.
http://www.thefamilycorner.com/homegarden/desrep/bows.shtml

Gift Bows
http://www.byroads.com/magazine/arts/fiddleybits/bows.shtml

Christmas Bows 
Visual Merchandising Tip
http://www.fashionwindows.com/visualmerchandising/8018christmas_bows.asp

Rose Pew Bows
This pretty pew bow is easy to make and looks
stunning. Customize the flower, tulle, and ribbon
colors to match your bridal colors. It can also be
used at the corners of tables. 
http://tinyurl.com/4roda

Belle's Bows: How To Make Hairbows
http://members.aol.com/juliemooredavis/myhomepage/howto.html

Related - Creative Gift Wrapping ideas and tips

All Free Crafts
Decorating your gifts
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/holiday_gift_wrapping.shtml

Care2.com
Holiday Gift Bags and Wrapping Paper 
by Annie Berthold-Bond - excerpt quoted
Here are two fun, pretty gift wrapping solutions that protect natural resources. 
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/home/328

Cointainer Store
Gift Wrapping Tips for Kids *excerpt quoted*
Kids feel a special joy when they see someone anxiously open a holiday gift they've wrapped all by themselves. Following is an easy seven-step process designed to turn out beautifully wrapped gifts - with a child's touch:
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/tips/Wrap_Kids.jhtml
More with kids
Make Gift Wrapping Paper with Kids
By ABIGAIL BEAL
http://kids.creativity-portal.com/d/projects/gift.wrapping/index.shtml

Couples Company
http://www.couplescompany.com/Advice/Michael/2004/Wrap.htm

DIYnet. com
http://www.diynet.com

FineLiving.com
How to Wrap a Gift
http://www.fineliving.com

Gift Elan
 gift wrapping tips  (excerpted from Present Perfect)  
http://www.giftelan.com/gift_giving_advice/wrapping/gift_wrapping_tips.htm

Gift-Wrapping Tips for Holiday Goodies
excerpt quoted:
Contributed by: NAPSA
(NAPSA) - A package of personally wrapped homemade goodies is almost always a welcomed gift during the holiday season. However, keeping that special gift fresh and intact through the rigors of the mail system can be quite tricky if you're not sure how to prepare or pack your treat properly.
Help ensure that your hours in the kitchen are not wasted by using some of these simple packaging tips for your holiday breads and cookies. 
1001Recipes2Send.com

HGTV
Creative Gift-Wrapping
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-329
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_occasions_gift_wrap/

Interior Decorating - About.com Guide tips
Holiday Gift Wrapping Tips
http://interiordec.about.com/cs/cmasgiftproj/l/blcmaswrap1.htm

SouthernLiving 
Creative Wrapping
Decorative touches will make your packages shine
*cached google link
http://tinyurl.com/4u6qc

The Romantic
Creative Ways to Wrap Gifts
http://www.theromantic.com/stories/wrapping/main.htm

**see the main Christmas printables page for printable tags links

 How to Select All-Occasion Gift-Wrapping Supplies
Be prepared for any gift-giving occasion. Buy your gift-wrapping supplies ahead of time and have them organized so you can find your supplies when you need them.
http://www.ehow.com/how_8024_select-all-occasion.html

No-Waste Gift-Giving and Gift-Wrapping Ideas
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/PublicEd/Holidays/NoWaste.htm
 
 

From the All I Need.com site
Article to read online:
excerpt quoted from website
Preparing For the Holidays: Ho Ho Ho... 
or Bah Humbug!  by Kathy Paauw

Some of my clients dread the holiday season because it often represents stress, pressure, expectations, guilt, disappointment, pain, loneliness, exhaustion... and the list goes on.

This is a choice. We choose who we spend time with. We choose what activities we say yes and no to. We choose where we go. Your holiday season can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose to make it, and it can be a lot of fun if you plan accordingly.

Read entire article:
http://www.theallineed.com/family/family-089.htm
 

Back to>> Christmas/Holiday Printables page
http://teas2dine4.com/4xmasprint.html

See also my other printables pages

Printables Main Page / Crafts Links
http://teas2dine4.com/4printable.html#crafts

Printing on Fabric
http://teas2dine4.com/4printfabric.html

Printing/Crafting Software Suggestions and Learning
http://teas2dine4.com/4printsoftware.html

Printing How-to's and  Downloading fonts and stuff from online, Purchasing Printers, & more
http://teas2dine4.com/4printable2.html

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this page updated December 1, 2004
by

Graphics on this page (except for my sigtag) are from PCCrafter.com
Creatable set: A Christmas Sampler 
Artist: Laurie Furnell
Purchase online and create your own specialties!
http://www.pccrafter.com

Join the PC Crafter HugClub
http://www.pccrafter.com/pchugclub/

Join in on the PCCrafter Message Forums for ideas and friendship
General Chat and Idea Exchange
Instruction Junction
Jolly Holidays Fourm

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