Adding a DIY Touch to Your Gifts

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Every Christmas, my Facebook feed fills up with pictures of people turning into Martha Stewart and pulling off DIY crafts I could even begin to dream of. Every year I tell myself I'm going to do it, I'm going to hand make all of my cards and grow my own tree and blow my own glass baubles. As if, right?

Mesmerising....

But, I'm still a big crafter. I love to make things, especially if they actually turn out well. These hand made gift tags are the perfect way to add a crafty touch to your presents!

They're ridiculously simple to make, and they look adorable!

I'm totally proud of myself

What You'll Need

Blank gift tags (mine say luggage tags)
Stamps
Ink Pad
Any other embellishments that make you happy

My tags are quite small, so the felt embellishments I bought for them wouldn't fit. If you go with bigger tags and bigger stamps, you'll want to make sure you get an ink pad that is one solid colour rather than split into three colours, like the one I purchased. I found it difficult to fully coat the stamps in the ink without getting any of the other colours on the stamp.

First, you'll start off with your blank luggage tag.

You can't tell, but they're lovely and sturdy.

Next, you'll press your stamp into your ink pad. Don't be afraid to apply pressure, you want a good bit of ink for a nice clear image.

Sparkles are definitely encouraged.

Next you just carefully place your stamp on the tag. Again, you'll want to place plenty of pressure so that the transfer comes out nicely.

Under Pressure...do do do dodo dodo

I haven't found a good way of keeping the bits around the design from coming off on the tag. It's more prevalent on some than on others. I personally like it, it makes all the tags a little unique.

It kind of looks like the hat is wearing a hat. Ha.

I decided to place my image in the centre of the tag as I got a To and From stamp to use on the other side. You could do this, or you could put your stamp to the left or right side of the tag and put your To and From next to it. There isn't a wrong way to do it, really.

If you stamp on the reverse side as well, use a paper towel to keep from getting any ink on your work surface.

In addition to stamps, you may decide you want to add some other embellishments. You could use any number of things; glitter, sequins, felt shapes, vinyl stickers....anything at all! Take a stroll down the scrap booking aisle of your local craft store for inspiration.

I used two gingerbread men on this one because they're small. And because I can.

To attach the tags to my gift, I used curling ribbon. If you're using curling ribbon for your bow, just tie the tag to the ribbon. If you're using adhesive bows, tie some curling ribbon to the tag and put the bow on top of the ribbon. I usually add a little tape to my adhesive bows - I find most of them are not sticky enough.

So festive! 

This is my first real experience with stamping. It was fun, and I'd like to learn more. It's something for me to look into in the future. Being that it's my first time, some mistakes were made (and lessons learned). For example, wipe off your stamps after each use if you are using two different colours. That should be obvious, but I just didn't think of it. If you don't, this will happen...

I'll pretend like I intended that.

It actually looks pretty good, so I used that tag. Some mistakes work out, sometimes!

Now, what to do with all those felt embellishments I bought?? Well, I used a couple as envelope seals for Christmas cards.

Sorted!

Do you DIY? 

Sending Christmas Cheer Abroad

Don't you just want to tear it open?

Happy December! I'll share a secret, I am absolutely nuts about Christmas. As soon as the weather starts to turn, this festive craze sets in and suddenly I'm humming carols and Googling new cookie recipes to try.

But it's also a little bit sad. Christmas should be a time for family, and mine is back in America. I'm blessed enough to have loving in-laws that have fully accepted me as a part of their family, but I still miss the people I left behind.

With that in mind - I'm going to give everyone a few tips on sending presents in the mail for Christmas (or any other holiday/occasion!).

Firstly, the golden rule of shipping is to think small and light. Postage can be expensive, especially if you're shipping internationally.

As with anything I do, I like to be prepared by gathering everything I'm going to need.

I might be just a tad obsessed

No, this isn't everything. Just most of it.

PRESENTS! 

Well, at least I try to gather everything I need. I inevitably get settled down to work on my project and then realise I left at least one thing across the room.

Wrap your gifts as usual, using whatever kind of fun or funky wrapping paper you want. And you know those super cute and super easy gift bows that you just peel and stick on the present?

Yeah, that one!

You'll want to avoid using those. They will probably fall off in transit, and your recipient will receive a box of beautifully wrapped presents along with a pile of bows. It's not the end of the world, but if you're as neurotic as I am you'll want those gifts arriving in as pristine condition as possible.

The most secure way to attach a beautiful bow is curling ribbon! 

Super shiny!

For those of you that have never used it, it's super simple. First, pull out a length of ribbon. You'll want it to be big enough to get wrapped around your present with plenty of room left over to curl - it's better for it to be too long than too short.

It starts out all nice, but you'll eventually end up with a tangled mess. It's just the way it is. 

Tie your ribbon around your gift any which way you want. You can totally use multiple strands. Use different colours and/or textures, too!

Don't worry, it's not finished yet! 

To curl the ribbon, you just place the ribbon between the blade of some scissors and your thumb at the base of the ribbon. Then, applying gentle pressure, pull the blade along the length of the ribbon until the end.

It is super satisfying.

See, it's pretty! 

This one uses the same colour with different textures. It's such a fun look! 

When most people send gifts that are difficult to wrap (like clothing) they usually either put it in a gift bag or place the gift in a box and wrap the box. Gift bags don't ship well. There is always the risk that the present will come out of the bag, ruining the surprise. Gift boxes are great, but using too many of them will bulk up your package unnecessarily leading to a higher postage cost. And folding something like a sweater and wrapping it on it's own isn't very secure - the movement of the sweater could lead to the gift wrap tearing.

Dear family reading this blog - this is NOT one of your gifts! 

Nice and sandwiched. Secure and easier to wrap! 

The best solution I've found to this problem is to use cardboard to secure your difficult item, and then wrap around that. It can create some funky shaped packages - but that just means they won't be able to figure out what you've sent! Now you can wrap the gift normally.

Lastly, it is very possible that your gift tags will fall off en route to your recipients. I've developed a handy little system to make sure that everyone gets to unwrap their gifts. Get a pack of coloured stickers!

They're inexpensive and easy to find.

Make sure you have a different colour for every person receiving gifts. Then all you have to do is stick the sticker discreetly on the bottom of the present. 

Yellow is Christmas-y, right?

Unfortunately, my husband packed and sent my package of festive goodies before I had a chance to take a picture. But to send, you'll want to find the smallest box possible without squashing all of your presents. Play present-tetris to keep your treasures secured and don't be afraid to use plenty of bubble wrap! 

Happy gifting! 

What's your favourite way to wrap presents?