DIY Advent Calendars

Well it's getting close to Christmas so time to start thinking about making some Christmas craft.   I have come across some great Advent calendars which look so much better than store bought ones and you can put your own little surpise in each day.

Some easy ideas from bunting, pegs, boxes and a shoe organiser.   

Advent Bunting via Mousehouse

Shoe Organiser Advent Calendar via eighteen25

Peg Advent via Home Ideas Mag

Hanging Advent Calendar via Small fry & Co

Box Advent Calendar via Ideas Mag

DIY Gift Bags

Here are a few gift bag ideas using old book pages or sheet music.    Simply by sewing up the sides or using glue you have a quick handmade gift bag which looks nicer than a store bought one.

Bird gift bag via Vintage with Laces

Music sheet gift bag via The other side of me

Book page gift bags via Sally Ann

Party Bags

For your next party why not grab some kraft bags or paper and make your own cute party or gift bags.  I love the first one which you can use different coloured ink to stamp on and then different coloured cotton to sew around the edges, then your guests just need to rip it to find their treats.

Thanks party bags via Make It & Love It

Treat bags via A Little Sweetness

Printed bags via Perfectly Imperfect

Doily Bag via Hostess with the Mostess

DIY Gift Ideas

There is nothing like a gift that has been handmade, so here are some easy ideas you can whip up to give for gifts.  The main ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, all you then need are some pretty bottles and jars to put them in.

Body Scrub via Martha Stewart

Flavoured Sugar via Country Living

Bath Fizzies via Martha Stewart

Infused Olive Oils via Just Putzing

Gift Packaging Ideas No. 6

Some more lovely gift wrapping ideas using brown paper or boxes.  Just add some washi tape, twine, stamps, buttons and ribbon and you have a beautiful gift to give.

So simple but so cute!

Box with Washi Tape via En casa de tia Gretel

Stamped paper with button via Craft and Creativity

Brown paper & twine via French Kissed

Mason Jars

I recently came across some mason jars in my local supermarket so set about finding what could be done with them, here's a few ideas.

Soap dispenser, vase and adding a door knob on the jar for decoration all make for some easy DIY.

Soap Dispenser via A Pretty Life

Mason Jar Vase via Cupcakes & Couture

Decorative Jars via That's What We Said

Washi Tape Ideas No. 2

Here are some more clever things to do with washi tape.   Cute bird house key hooks, easy gift wrap, tags, bows and some easy no sew bunting to make.

Bird house key hooks via Torie Jayne

Washi tape wrapping paper & gift tag via Poppytalk

Washi tape bows via I am Doe

Washi tape and Fabric Bunting via Tatertots & Jello

Ribbon and Twine Storage

Some great storage ideas for your twine and ribbon.   Using old picture frames, funnels and plate rack, you can transform these into fantastic looking ribbon and twine holders.

Click on links for instructions on how to make.

Baker's Twine Storage via 32 Turns

Ribbon Holder via Scrapbooks etc.

Ribbon Storage via Scissors and Spatulas

Twine Dispenser via Martha Stewart

Bows

Nothing tops off a gift like a pretty bow.   Here are some lovely bows you can make with paper and fabric.

Paper bow via The Elli Blog

Couture paper bow ties via Bloomize

Vintage style bow via Live Laugh Rowe

Gift Toppers No. 2

More gift topper ideas for decorating your gift.  These will definitely finish your gift off and are suitable for various ages.

Below are links to the paper feather template, a cool idea using a sponge cut into letters and a simple topper tying balloons together.

DIY Letter Gift Toppers via Creme de la craft

Paper Feathers via Lia Griffith

Balloon Bow via My Insanity

Printables

A few lovely printables I came across.    Gorgeous gift tags and gift wrap, print on paper bags and put some yummy sweet things in and some cute Monogram labels.

French Inspired Gift Tags and Gift Wrap via Lia Griffith

Bags for Sweets via The Pretty Blog

Monogram Labels via Martha Stewart Weddings

Brown Paper Bags

Some clever uses of Brown Paper Bags.    5 cute flowers you can make to use as gift toppers and easy ways to decorate your bags for gifts and favors.

DIY 5 Paper Bag Flowers via JoJo & Eloise

Thank You bags via Lovely Little Parties

Paper Bag Favors via Michaels

Bags with Fabric via Martha Stewart Weddings

Candy Jars

I love these candy jars which are easy and quick to make.  All you need is some candlesticks, jars, paint and glue or pots and knobs.

They would be great to give as a gift or if you are planning a candy buffet party would look fantastic painted in whatever your colour theme is.  They would also look great just to add to the decor in your home, though I think we would be having to refill quite often in our house!

For instructions on how to make, click on the links below photos.

Candle Stick Apothecary Jars via This Old Chair

Mason Jar Candy Pedestals via Living Well Spending Less

DIY Candy Jar via It's a Gandech Life

DIY Apothecary Jar via Pinterest and the Pauper

Chocolate Packaging

So I thought I would combine 2 of my favourite things - chocolate and packaging.   Some really cool chocolate packaging I came across, would be a shame to open - but then again, it is chocolate.

Mast Brothers Chocolate

Liberty Chocolate

Amelia Rope Chocolate

Olive and SInclair

Theo Chocolate

Curious Chocolate