Gift wraps and packaging

Wrapping gifts is one of most happiest activity during festive holidays or birthdays. It gives me immense joy thinking how the person receiving will feel when he/ she opens it with anticipation. Like me I am sure many people love the feeling of opening the wrapping and packaging to peek/ know what's inside. The gift doesn't matter the feeling behind it matters. If the gift is hand wrapped with lot of consideration to design and decoration it makes the gift so special. I seldom of keep the gift wrapping- whether is the lovely wrapping paper, pretty box or the gift topper . I keep them nicely folded in a big paper bag where I collect all of them. Some I have for years. I have forgotten what gift was inside but I love to reminisce  the sentiment with which it was specially sought and gift wrapped ( keeping in mind what would like )

I am always on lookout for easy but stunning ideas for adding the extra zing to the gift wraps. I found these gorgeous flowers which can be made at home in few minutes. 

Lia Griffith has beautiful detailed tutorial about how to make flowers which you can use for gift wrapping or for making a wreath or any DIY project you can come up with. The tutorial for the beautiful long stemmed paper rose with metallic paper can be found here. 

Another stunner from the immensely talented lady. These flowers are made of tissue paper. Its hard to believe , isn't it? The simple pain tissue paper that we use and throw without bothering to look at it can become something so beautiful!! You can find the tutorial here !! 

The lovely Lia Griffith has tutorials for many more flowers and that's not all she has craft tutorials, creative inspirations and free printables for holidays, kids, parties , decor and weddings. You will find food recipes as well !!!

All the image are from Lia Griffith. Subject to copyright. 

Diwali- Do-it-yourselves project: gift tags

                I made some watercolors paintings for my family on card stock for the Diwali festival. 

I thought they will look good as gift tags or mini greeting cards. So today in the morning when the baby was sleeping I sat down and created a format( as seen above) to convert them into printable Diwali gift tags or mini greeting cards. 

All you have to do is to print it , cut , fold, write a message inside and give!!! A little Do-it- yourselves project for this Diwali!!!

Make it extra personal by writing a personal message/ greetings inside!!! You can choose a paper of your choice- handmade paper, card stock or photo paper. You can use this tag by punching a hole in the center and attaching a ribbon to it and tie it to the gift.

Or you can use a sticky tape on the back and attach it to your gift. 

You can also use it as a card and put it in an envelope and give/ send to your friend. Its your DIY and your creativity. Print as many as you want!!! 

You can get these digital file of the gift tags here!!!

Freebies: Gift tags

Last week was very active..I have started jogging early in the morning around 5: 30 am ! It feels sooo good.. the air is so crisp and fresh in the morning..the breeze is cool ...It keeps me so positive and cheerful all day!! If you are feeling low in energy during the day try this..you will feel totally energized for rest of the day!!


This weekend we watched two fabulous movies - Golmaal and Unstoppable .. Both are highly recommended!! I have been trying my hand at digital painting. I haven't figured out much of the techniques .. The above one I had sketched earlier (long time back actually) and painted it yesterday digitally. I know I know.. I have lot to improve:)

I also made these Christmas gift tags. I have uploaded them on scribd. You can download them here. Cut along the dotted lines.. I print it on self adhesive paper and peel it and stick it on the parcel..Alternatively print on a card stock  paper, cut them and make a hole with a punch or with a needle and pass a ribbon or golden thread through it!!!

Linking it to Patty's Weekend Wrap and Susan's Metamorphosis Monday!!!

Gift wrap ideas and inspirations

Festivals are the time for receiving and giving gifts!! My friend asked me a few days back if I could suggest some ideas to gift wrap sweets.. This made me thinking... hmmm how much do we love when we receive a beautifully hand wrapped gift.. we feel so special!! The fact that someone has gone lengths to make something with their hand for you makes the gift more precious!! I think thats what makes your gift stand apart from other gift!! 

It would be so great if we could wrap gifts which are professionally looking and at the same time are handmade and Eco friendly as well!!!!!

Let's look at some inspiring ideas ...

Indian style gift tags especially for Diwali. You can download them from here.
Add something original and different to your gifts. Make them look different and stylish among  all the mass produced gift wraps by other friends:). Cute owl and Christmas themed gift tags are bound to do just that!! Download them here!!

    Wrap chocolates, sweets or dried fruits in a cellphone paper or use translucent fabric bags.. Tie them with a ribbon or lace..Place them in a  beautiful intricately cut glass jar..Wrap a Zari\Lurex Jacquard tape around it along with a golden tassel..Then attach a handmade gift tag to it!!

Another way to gift wrap your jars or bottles is to cover them with a pretty fabric and tie a Zari\Lurex Jacquard tape with handmade gift tags..I have used bandhani cloth for Diwali occasion..

                                                                                                                   Courtesy: Bugs and fishes

This lovely idea is from Laura's blog- Bugs and Fishes. Bling up your Diwali gifts!!! The golden ribbons on a brown paper wrapping makes the package look so special..and also the gift tag is made with the strips of ribbon glued to a gift tag!! She shows us how to make the beautiul  gift wraps here.

                                                                                                Courtesy: BHG

Want to go for something simpler.. Place your gift in a woven rattan or cane box . Tie a ribbon around it and decorate it with fresh flowers!! For Diwali touch replace the rose with a marigold..

Courtesy: Bugs and Fishes

Another lovely one from Bugs and fishes.. The beautiful pompoms look so pretty on the brown paper wrapping .. The matching gift tag is absolutely gorgeous!! Check it here!!

Courtesy: Country Living

 I love this eco friendly and up cycled/recycled  gift wrap ..It is so smart.. Wrap the gift in a crisp newspaper. Check out the pretty over-sized  flower on the gift...I simply love it!!! You know what would look even prettier if you wrap it in a newspaper in another international language... !! See how to make the flower here.

Courtesy: Country living

This one will be a great gift wrap as well as a project for your kids.. Paint the wrapping paper with crayons..make this lovely flower with tissue paper.. See how to make it here!!

                                                                    Courtesy:Martha Stewart
Do you like these gift tags... You can download this sheet of lovely gift tags here!!

                                                                                           Courtesy: Container store

Do you want to know how to make different styles of bows ..get tips from the expert in packaging and gift wrapping? If the answer is yes ..the container store will answer all your queries from how to clear clutter before festivals/holidays to how to create professional-looking wrapped packages and handmade bows... Check out the container store here and download the pdf here.

I planning to make some Diwali gift tags I have illustrated for you guys..!!! So watch out for them!!!