Gift Wrap Finishing Touches

There are two types of people when it comes to gift wrapping…those who loathe it, those who LOVE it. I’ve always been a lover of gift wrapping so I’m excited to join 9 friends in a Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas blog hop! 

Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by 10 bloggers @diyshowoff

And I’m the type who makes gift wrapping an event – a holiday party for one! I prefer to do it all at once. I love the tradition of setting out the supplies just so with a view of the Christmas tree…rolls of beautiful gift wrap, displays of cute holiday tags, whimsical ornaments, glitter pens, tape, ribbon and scissors. Pump up the volume on the Michael Bublé Christmas album, dress up in your most comfy pjs and grab a mug of hot cocoa…I’m going to share some gift wrapping finishing touches with you.

Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by 10 bloggers @diyshowoff 

last year’s gift wrap to coordinated with an orange and green Christmas theme

Succulents & Spruce Christmas Tree @diyshowoff - #michaelsmaker dream tree challenge

Each year, I select about 4-5 coordinating rolls of Christmas wrapping paper. I love mixing patterns. And I do prefer that the wrap matches my holiday decor too. So this year, it’s traditional red and green with a touch of black. 

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challengebirds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

Above was staging of empty boxes for my Dream Tree Challenge but what I’m sharing today is what I’ve gathered for real gift-giving this year. I snagged a fun mix of patterns ranging from plaid, stripes, reindeer and text in red, white, green and black from Michaels. 

Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by 10 bloggers @diyshowoff

Embellishments: decorative/washi tape (you know that collection you have but never quite use? GET IT!), black/white printed photos, monogrammed letters, cute gift tags, bows, ribbon, twine and some snips of pine, small ornaments, little DIY crafts/gifts.

And since a tutorial isn’t really necessary, let’s just cut to the chase and show some pretty gift wrap ideas in photos, okay? OKAY! Here we go…

Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by 10 bloggers @diyshowoff

Tip: Use decorative tape instead of ribbon to secure/stack a collection of gifts. I used chalk tape above. I love the satiny wide ribbon-like look. And those presents are going to stay stacked! Grab a chalk marker and personalize!Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by 10 bloggers @diyshowoff

Tip: Add small handmade gifts or ornaments instead of a bow. Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by 10 bloggers @diyshowoff

Tips: If you prefer wrapping gifts as you go, designate a roll (or coordinating rolls) for each family member. 1. That way you can embellish with tags/bows/etc. after the gifts are under the tree (tag the first gift you wrap for each member so you know who’s paper belongs to who). It makes storing much easier until “Santa” arrives! 2. It also makes it easier to tally the # of gifts for each person (in case you have a little one who keeps track!) 3. It’ll create a nice mix of colors and patterns when on display under your Christmas tree. 

Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by 10 bloggers @diyshowoff

Tip: Snag a photo straight from social media, print in black/white on card stock to create an easy and personalized gift tag!

Are you an all at once or as you go wrapper? Love it or loathe it?

Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by 10 bloggers @diyshowoff

See more creative holiday gift wrapping ideas from these awesome blog friends:

Sunday, November 16th 
 
Monday, November 17th 
 
Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by 10 bloggers @diyshowoff Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by 10 bloggers @diyshowoff

Birds & Berries Christmas Tree ~ Michaels Dream Tree Challenge

Happy November, friends! Yes…this is a Christmas tree blog post the day after Halloween. I know. I know! It’s crazy! In my pre-blogging days my Christmas decorating didn’t begin until the weekend after Thanksgiving. But don’t panic! The Michaels Dream Tree Challenge mission is to bring you some holiday inspiration in preparation for seasonal decorating. It’s not too early to start collecting decorating ideas!

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

Michaels provided me with a beautiful pre-lit 7 ft. artificial pine and a gift card for decorating to participate in the dream tree challenge to kick off the decorating season in the DIY Show Off house. 

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

Christmas is my favorite holiday and I feel all organized by getting an early start. Get comfy, my friends. I have a lot of holiday cheer to spread around!

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

When the days are short and evening arrives early, there’s just something happy about twinkly lights on a Christmas tree that lifts my spirits and warms my heart this time of year. 

Birds & Berries Christmas Tree ~ Michaels Dream Tree Challenge

Materials I used: 

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

  • 7 ft. pre-lit artificial pine tree
  • clip on cardinals
  • faux red berries
  • red feathers
  • white berries
  • plaid and burlap ornaments
  • shatterproof ornaments
  • Christmas plaid ribbon
  • small nests with snowball eggs
  • corrigated cardboard and ribbon base
  • mini banner, stickers, ribbon and tiny clothespins
  • assorted coordinating ornaments

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

My favorite part of displaying a Christmas tree is the beautiful glow, curling up on the couch with a warm blanket, a cup of peppermint cocoa, listening to traditional Christmas music, reflecting on the past year’s ups and downs, milestones and celebrations, counting my blessings, remembering the true meaning of Christmas.  

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos and busy-ness that accompanies the holidays but throughout the day, the Christmas tree stops me in my tracks. It’s a moment when I’m reminded to Rejoice!

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

and a time to celebrate love…

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challengebirds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challengebirds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

and the gift of every.single.day….life!

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challengebirds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

Wishing you happy holiday planning! 

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challengebirds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

DIYShowOff Dream Tree Challenges from previous years: 

Succulents & Spruce Christmas Tree @diyshowoff - #michaelsmaker dream tree challengeombre christmas tree decor

Can’t get enough? I’m not the only crazy one to have a Christmas tree up in October for a November 1st deadline. Crank the Christmas tunes, spike the holiday punch and check out these talented blog friends and their gorgeous Dream Trees for more inspiration: 

Michaels annual dream tree challenge

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Inspired to start decorating your own tree? Make sure you visit Michaels’ blog, The Glue String, to see the other 49 Michaels Makers’ dream holiday trees that were created this year.

From now until November 14, you can get FREE shipping on all Christmas trees that are 6ft or taller on Michaels.com!

·         If you’re just getting started on your holiday decor, you can also check out some of the ornament projects and tutorials available on Michaels.com.  

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

Complete the ‘mood’ by swapping out chemical filled candles for essential oils with amazing health benefits. Diffuse Christmas Spirit, pine, Thieves, cinnamon bark…so many options to fill your home with healthy holiday scents. Young Living essential oils are so loved and so amazing that they’re sponsoring my blog! Thank you, friends! What a blessing! Interested in joining me? Once you experience essential oils, you’ll not only be embracing wellness (we feel better than ever with this lifestyle change!), you’ll make new friends, be a part of an awesome team and have tons of support/resources so you aren’t left clueless. You’ll also learn of the generous business opportunity that has the potential to create financial freedom! I’d love for you to join my team! You can enroll by clicking here or contact me to learn more. So excited to hear from you!

Young Living at diyshowoff.com

Metallic Striped Christmas Tree Tub

Looking for a new idea for your Christmas tree? Grab these things:

metallic striped Christmas tree tub tutorial @diyshowoff

  • large galvanized beverage tub
  • gold spray paint
  • FrogTape® Multi-Surface

Christmas Tree striped tub tutorial @diyshowoff

Use the FrogTape to create stripes or a pattern on the galvanized tub. i just applied mine without exact measurements. Wouldn’t triangles, x’s or chevron be pretty too?

Christmas Tree striped tub tutorial @diyshowoff

Using a plastic card, burnish the edges of the tape. 

Christmas Tree striped tub tutorial @diyshowoff

I covered the handles with sandwich baggies and taped them in the ‘up’ position. Spray paint the tub. I positioned mine upside down. 

Christmas Tree striped tub tutorial @diyshowoff

As soon as you’ve finished, carefully remove the FrogTape. 

Christmas Tree striped tub tutorial @diyshowoff

Let paint dry. Remove sandwich bags from handles. 

Add a tree stand, assemble and decorate the tree. 

Christmas Tree striped tub tutorial @diyshowoff

Since our cat likes to roll around on tree skirts, I love this option.

metallic striped Christmas tree tub tutorial @diyshowoffmetallic striped Christmas tree tub tutorial @diyshowoff

Holiday Housewalk @diyshowoff 

FrogTape Blog Squad

Disclaimer: I received compensation to complete this project for using FrogTape® products. All opinions, projects and ideas are based on my own experience.