Indian gift wrapping and packaging

What makes the festive season special is the idea of making it special for your family and close friends. Be it making time for each other, throwing a party or exchanging gifts. I am sure I must have mentioned this in earlier posts related to gift inspirations that more than shopping for presents I love to wrap them beautifully befitting the theme or occasion. 

Indian festive or marriage occasion or a Bollywood themed party definitely calls for extra pizzazz and bling bling effect. Sparkling, bright, glossy and vibrant are the important elements that one has to keep in mind while decorating for an Indian themed party. Diwali is That occasion !! 

While decorating the house for Diwali , Why leave the gifts in the same drab simple manner? Indian gift wraps and style are not just any wrapping paper but a masterpiece!

I hope you all ready to impress your guests and take a huge commendation for the best wrapped gift they have ever seen:) Lets see some brilliant ways to wrap, embellish, decorate the presents. A hint of warning - try to keep your mouth shut because it will be when you see these stunning , jaw dropping , gorgeous gift wraps!! 

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Glittery glossy paper , some ribbons along with a beautiful pendant or a brooch to make your gift look oh-so- glamorous ! Save pendant, buttons, strings, zari borders from your Indian dress/sari/ jewelry. You will give it a glamours new life some day on gift wrap and get a lot of applause as well !!

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If you are from India you might be familiar with these. Fabric pouches with intricate embroidery or shiny stones or zari border with muslin cloth inside. These would be used these to gift fabric, jewelry, gadget or even a gift card. These are good to gift as they are as well. I have plenty of them which my aunt thoughtfully put in my wedding trousseau. These keep expensive sarees and blouses in perfect condition for years. I can vouch for that since my wedding sarees have not seen daylight for last 7 years:)

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oh these are so gorgeous!! You have to check this shop out!! Studio ABCD has the most amazing, unique variety of hand block printed wrapping papers. These are printed with traditional Indian block printing techniques on recycled newspaper or film posters. The concept of ' Second Life' is to reuse, reduce and recycle. The printing of this papers is done by an NGO which employees differently-able persons and creates livelihood opportunities for them. I love the idea and the sprit behind this shop and will do a separate post next time!

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The Indian block print designs on recycled paper make such a gorgeous gift wrap with a homely understated feel to it!! I love the colors, design and festive feel to it!! These are from Field Guide Design on Etsy. The artist, Darbie Nowatka  is inspired by textile design, geometry, and nature. She uses 100% recycled Kraft paper with fluorescent teal, green, orange, and pink inks. 

 Now that you are charged and inspired enough by this post to wrap your presents a bit differently and glamorously, shut your computer and start wrapping :)

Floating flowers centerpiece

Flowers can add pizzazz to any room instantly with ease. Although I make and believe in proper floral arrangements with perfect shape using florist foam and suitable vase. You can see the several floral arrangements I have done till date here. There are times when I just want to take it easy plus I have some flowers fallen from the stems( How we hate seeing that). It is those times when floating flowers seems to be the easiest way out.  Floating flowers in a bowl or uruli are one of the easiest way to instantly perk up decor.

One can use different combinations of store bought or home grown flowers and make a striking floral designs. It goes well with traditional Indian decor for a India themed or Bollywood themed party.  These metal bowl called uruli are traditionally used for cooking of which I have no connection left ( just kidding) This arrangement looks good outdoors and indoors as well. Many resorts and restaurants even spas incorporate these to create a traditional welcoming effect.

I have some orchids and roses in the uruli with two of my candle holders doing a part time job of single flower vase:)

Image taken by me@home.

Elephant love

I fallen in madly in love with elephants..and these days I am drawing , painting and making elephants almost every day..

Indian or Asian elephants are decorated for festivals and special occasions. They are decorated with gold plated caparisons, bells, and necklaces. and so are mine.. 

All shapes and sizes ..

colors and shapes..

                                           
                                         for festive occasion and that extra touch of oomph...

                              All these are available at AKreativeMommy on etsy!!

Peacock themed Indian wedding stationery

This September, I was thrilled, excited and at the same time nervous when SS contacted me to help her with wedding party supplies. She is my first local client and the very first for wedding stationary. So you can imagine how jittery I was all the time till the final product was handed to her. We discussed about her requirements over a coffee. 

SS wanted something classy, elegant and Indian themed. My head started exploding with ideas and I set in front of her several designs which included Indian motifs- elephants, lotus, Ganesha, peacock.  I made some quick sketches on a piece of paper for her to choose from. She liked the peacock the most. I totally enjoyed working on the designs for the Indian themed wedding decor.

I printed the table numbers on several different paper- handmade, photo paper etc. Finally the client choose glossy finish on a photo paper to print the table numbers. I helped her source the frames from one of the local shops.

S choose a handmade paper for printing the reception seating chart/per table. I attached a golden tassel to it. I suggested her to keep it in the floral centerpiece on the table.

As samples I had made different borders for the table numbering for the client to choose from. 

Excited with her response I have listed similar peacock themed Indian wedding number printable on my Etsy shop!

Bollywood themed party decor

This post is 'On-Demand'.My lovely reader S wrote to me that she wants some ideas for a Bollywood themed party..Wow!! what a terrific theme !! This is my 5th on-demand post and I am loving it!!(The earlier are here ,here,here and here) I feel it is somewhat like a commissioned work ..I have to think something entirely different...which was not on my list or mind at all!! 

Ok let's start.. Bollywood or Indian Cinema is popular for the vibrancy, colors, songs & dance sequences etc.. But I think the main attraction is Bollywood films portray a dream like world ..where everything turns out right , good wins over evil, hero gets the heroine and love wins all!!! Total relaxing 2-3 hours which takes you a different colorful and sometimes a total no-brainer or stress atmosphere!! 

So I think thats what the basic underlying theme should be dreamy, vibrant, relaxing and colorful!! Let's start with the party invitations...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Courtesy: Itsdatedesign

Party invitation should like a trailer or tease of the party.. Just look at the beautiful Bollywood party invitation .. They are so glamorous, stylish and vibrant.. No words needed .. You know how ravishing the party will be when you see these pretty invitations..

                                                                     Courtesy: AkreativeMommy

You can instanly decorate and add a unique Indian touch to a simple envelope/ invitation by using these elephant shaped envelope seals. These are from AKreativeMommy on etsy.

Another pretty, cool and cute invitation card collection with lovely Indian imagery like a blue elephant or the Taj Mahal...These are from Bird's craft on etsy!!

                                                                                                                                             Courtesy. Bird's craft

Now that you have finalized and sent your invitations..You should start thinking about the decorations to turn your venue or home into a Indian themed party place which looks just out a Bollywood movie ..

                                                                                                                                                                 Courtesy: hennaarts

Low seating arrangement goes well with any Indian theme... For Bollywood party if you plan to watch a movie then this seating could be perfect!! Just throw some large cushion in vibrant bright colors.. a silky tablecloth ...float some candles..arrange some flowers !!! I love the color scheme in the above picture .. looks vibrant and at the same time very subtle !! Also notice the curtains hanging on the walls.. makes it look as if you are sitting a tent!!!!!

                                                                                                                                                               Courtesy: Thoughtfully simple

Choosing the accessories and matching them to the theme is equally important..This beautiful Bollywood themed party was organized by Smita of The party wall. Do visit her blog.. The party wall is an unique and a very creative blog with beautiful ideas and inspirational party decor.

                                                                                                                                                  Courtesy: Thoughtfully simple

Did you see the lovely banner..Bird's craft designed the invitations, party favor boxes and other accessories!! She also has a blog and website as well!! I just love the fantastic color coordination.. the flowers, candies, candle stands, table cloth ..everything is color coordinated..Awesome!!

                                                                        Courtesy: AkreativeMommy

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Some more accessories... How about gift tags made of ornamental decorated Indian elephants in vibrant colors and adorned with gold and silver design ..You can use them as place cards, gift tags or favor bag topper . These are from AKreativeMommy on etsy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Courtesy: Prudent Baby

Party favors for kids .. I found this lovely blog- Prudent baby by Jamie and Jacinda ..The theme of her party was Indian elephant .. They had included handmade elephant crayons..Aren't they lovely!! She also has step by step instructions for these here!!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Courtesy: Hostess Blog

 Adult party favors included pretty Indian styled bangles and other bling-bling stuff.. The Elephant crayons and Elephant Fabric Garland are super cool and spectacular ..To view the entire party decorations and other DIY decorations for this Indian elephant party click here!!!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Courtesy: Sprinkle bakes 

How about these lovely Mehndi(henna) spiced cookies.. Aren't they so adorable!! Could be perfect to munch on while watching a movie or as a party favor for the guests!! Check out the recipe for this here!!

                                                                                                                                      Courtesy: Icingdreams

Is Bollywood the theme for your Birthday or  Baby shower ...

How about Indian themed cake !! 

                                                                                                                                                                             

I had total fun finding these ideas ..so much that I want to have a Bollywood themed party myself!!! Hope you will have a great party and these finds will help you in deciding your decor!!

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