It is one week to Christmas. 6 days if you don’t count today.
This is the first year that I took a step back from the frazzle and decided to edit some things out of my usual Christmas preparations. I held on to what matters and let go of the rest. Overwhelmed is not how I wanted to go through the holiday season anymore. I want to be able to sit back and enjoy all the season has to offer.
I decorated the house, but didn’t go all out. I bought presents, but did do a lot of shopping online which saved me many hours and trips to the mall. I baked cookies, but not dozens and dozens. I decorated the tree, but only added my favorite ornaments. What I found by doing this was that going over the top isn’t necessary for me to enjoy Christmas. My Christmas prep was just enough to make my home feels warm and cozy, just the way I want it for the holidays.
This week for me, it is all about gift wrapping. I have a few sure-fire ways to make the task less of a chore and am sharing them below.
Wrap Gifts In Fast and Affordable Style
The most important thing that needs to get done this week is to wrap the gifts I bought to give to family and friends. I like to do this using a “signature style” I have mentioned this in previous posts since it helps me get the gifts wrapped fast, but also adds my own style to the gifts I give.
My favorite way to do this is to simply wrap all my gifts using the same gift wrap. I then do a “hack” on standard self-adhesive confetti style bows to give the gift an unexpected touch. You know the bows that you can buy just about anywhere, even at the dollar store. With a pair of scissors you can update the look of these inexpensive bows with a few snips. Add a button or jingle bell to the center and you have created “present presence” very affordably in a few minutes.
Here is how to do it: How to hack a confetti style gift wrap bow.
I am one of those people who enjoy creating tags and printables on my computer. This is the best way to create one-of-a-kind signature wrap. Once I personalize a tag to each person on my gift-giving list. I attach them to plain gift bags. I make the bag filler by running any type of paper through a paper shredder – tissue paper, book pages, maps, scraps of gift wrap.
How to Make Monogram Gift Tags
If you don’t enjoy or have the ability to create custom tags on a computer, then do a Google search for “Free Printable Holiday Gift Tags“. Literally, hundreds will show up. Pick one you like that will coordinate with your wrapping paper and print out on your home printer.
Here are a few I have made in the past:
Click link to post: Merry Christmas Tags
Click link to post (the tags are at the bottom of the pretzel post): Vintage Fashion Gift Tags
Enjoy the Task of Gift Wrapping
Wrapping a lot of gifts can become a stressful task since it takes time. To lessen the chore, I try to make it an event in itself. I set up a few Christmas movies on the TV or play Christmas music so I can wrap and watch/listen. They put me in a festive the mood. I will most likely enjoy a frothy mug of hot cocoa or a hot buttered rum and a few Christmas cookies while I am at it.
Prepare Gifts to Give to UnExpected Visitors
The holidays are the time of giving and I want to make sure I have something to give anyone that pops in unannounced to say hi. Having a few generic gifts wrapped and ready to give them is a good thing. It is also good to have a few on hand for anyone who comes bearing gifts – you will have a gift ready to give them in return.
If the need for these gifts doesn’t arise, then you have them to use for yourself. Gift-wrapped cookies and wine or champagne are what I usually have ready since we can eat or drink them after the holidays.
This week I will be making more of these Almond cookies. They are easy to make, delish and stack well in a gift box.
For giving wine, here is how I wrap bottles of wine or champagne to give to unexpected guests or friends that pop in. How to Wrap a Bottle of Wine with Gift Wrap
Take Time For Myself
With so much to get done this week, it is easy to put ourselves last on our holiday “to-do” lists. Make a date with yourself to create some downtime to enjoy a long soak in the tub filled with pine scented bath salts. I call nights when I do this during the year, “Beauty Night”. During the holidays it is a must! Put on a facial mask that will make your skin glow afterwards, polish your nails etc. Taking a few hours to do this will not only make you look better, but feel better and ready to tackle all that needs to get done.
What are your plans this week? Are you ready to go or do you still have a few things to get done? If you do, I hope you are able to but some dazzle into the frazzle of preparing for the holidays.
Wow. Just wow.
You’re the best .
In Love with your work.
Happy Holidays.
Hi, I remember when I used to wrap presents (gift bags rock!) staying up late one night to watch 7 brides for 7 brothers while I wrapped hundreds (probably 12) presents. Watching old movies put me in a holiday mood. Merry Christmas and happy new year. Look forward to your musings next year!
Wishing your and your family a most Merry Christmas, Diane. I pray your new year is bright and shining as well. God bless!
Thank you Cate. I hope your Christmas and new year is merry and bright.
You put me in a festive mood to get started on Wrapping & making it look good.
Been baking & set up a cookie packing station to give to friends & neighbors.
Hi Nancy – Sounds like you have been busy. I like the idea of a cookie wrapping station. You must make a lot of delicious cookies! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.
So enjoy your inspirations and thank you for sharing Merry Christmas to you and your family
Thanks Norma. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
I really appreciate the bottle wrapping idea.
Hi Mary – That bottle wrap is the best. I have tried many other ways, even bags, but the wrap just makes the bottle look special, a gift bag just doesn’t do the same. I hope you have a very happy holiday season.
Thanks for another great post! I’m trying to have a more relaxing holiday this year, less rushed and demanding. I always enjoy your posts and your many creative suggestions. Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Thanks for the nice note Linda. It really feels good to scale back. I don’t miss any of the stress of having to do it all. Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season.
Love the simplicity! I just ate a generous slice of pumpkin bread while reading your post Diane! Let the food fest begin! Merry Christmas! laura
Hi Laura – Sounds yummy!. I have been eating cookies.:-) Merry Christmas… I hope it is merry, bright and delicious!
I’m finally into organizing pantry and looked at your great library of styles. I also got an idea for pantry from Whole Foods, of all places, who sells bulk spices out of large glass jars. They affix labels with heavy duty sticky Velcro (available at the hardware store) which I just discovered for a holiday project.
Makes it so easy to change labels! Laminated labels with the soft fuzzy side to jars with the hardy prickly side. I’m using your templates and making laminated stiff labels that I can change. I also plan to laminate nutrition info for snacks and crackers and affix to the back side.
Thanks for the step that pulled it all together for me!
Hi Catpainter – What a great idea. Love how you created what you saw on the jars from Whole Foods. I know exactly the ones. Brilliant idea to use Velcro to attach the labels. I have my pantry makeover almost done and will be posting about it once the holidays are over. I will share your idea in that post. Thanks for taking the time to share it.
Merry Christmas, Diane! Hope yours is very merry indeed! I always enjoy your posts, and appreciate all the time and attention you are investing in us!
Happy New Year, too!
Hi Linda – I love my readers, without you blogging wouldn’t be rewarding at all. I hope you have a wonderfulChristmas and Happy New Year. XO
Merry Christmas to you and your family Diane, love to read all your wonderful posts, enjoy…
Janette from UK..xx
Thanks Janette – Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2018. :-)
Merry Christmas Diane to you and your family. Thanks for the many ways you encourage to enhance life in our own style.
Hi Erin – Thanks for the nice note. I enjoy sharing what I do. It makes me happy to know others find inspiration in my posts. Merry Christmas XO
I love all of your suggestions, never thought of using my shredder, very clever! Happy holidays and thank you for your great blog!
Hi Shelly – Thanks. Some shredders are better than others to use. I like the simple less expensive shredders that only have a few teeth that make long strips out of the paper. Some shredders have many teeth and make smaller pieces of paper. Each type makes good filler, just different. Happy Holidays to you and your family.