Clever Back To School Gift Ideas

Is it me, or did this summer really fly by this year in the blink of an eye? Can’t believe kids are already going back to school this month! To get everyone back into the swing of things for Fall, we’re going to dedicate a few posts this month to back to school ideas!

Today, is all about back to school gift ideas for kids and teachers. But not just any back to school gifts, clever ones! By clever gifts, we mean ones with quirky play on words! Here are a few of our favorite ideas that we thought you’ll enjoy too!

Via Eighteen25

“According to my calculations, this is going to be a good year!” with a calculator!

Via Indulgy

“Good luck, smartie pants. (Not like you need it.)” with Smarties!

Via It Works for Bobbi

“I’m so excited to learn s’more!” with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers!

Via Get Busy Living

“A little something to get you back to the grind” with coffee (for teachers!)

Via Sandy Toes and Popsicles

“This is going to “bee” a great year!” with honey!

Via I Heart Naptime

“You’re so sharp” with pencils!

It’s a great idea to send the kids off on the first day of school with a fun little gift. It brings encouragement and comfort to an otherwise nerve wrecking day! Which one of these quotes do you think is the cleverest? Let us know in the comments below (or make up your own)!

Rose Colors & Their Meanings

Traditionally, flowers have been used to convey different feelings and emotions, with different types  and colors signifying different things. One flower that signifies Valentine’s Day is definitely the rose. Roses have long been a sought after gift for Valentine’s Day, but, did you know that each color of the rose has a different meaning?

Via Gifts

Roses are especially popular for gifting because they come in such a wide array of colors. If you have a lovely message to send, there is sure to be a rose to help you convey your thoughts. Here are some meanings of the most popular color of roses!

Red Roses – Love, beauty, romance, “I Love You”

Pink Roses – Gentleness, happiness, gracefulness

White Roses – Purity, honor, remembrance

Yellow Roses – Friendship, joy

Orange Roses – Desire

Now that you know a little more about the different meaning of roses, pick the one that best symbolizes your Valentine and surprise them with your newfound knowledge! A meaningful bouquet of flowers can trump the biggest box of chocolate, so be sure to include a lovely vase along with your bouquet.

Holiday and Christmas Present Ideas for Pets

Christmas is a holiday we spend with family and friends, but we can’t forget our pets! For those of you who have family pets, you know they can become another member of the family and love to join in on the celebrations! Though they may not know exactly what Christmas is, we can still do a little something special for them.

Today’s post will be dedicated to all our pets for the holidays. We’re going to share some fun pet present ideas for Christmas!

Via Dreamstime

Instead of regular treats, try a festive red and green one!

Via Super Cool Pets

Don’t forget your pets when hanging up the stockings! Create a special one just for your fuzzy friend or reptile.

Via Aka Spot

Via Pet Brands

Leave a present under the tree for your pets too! Whether it be a new wheel for your hamster, or a rock for your turtle, they’ll be excited for a new toy!

Via Pet’s Pantry

Don’t forget, your pets are growing every single day. Another great present would be a new cage or home for the new year!

Will you be celebrating with your pets this holiday season? Don’t forget about them when you’re writing up your Christmas list! We hope you and your pets have a happy holidays! Christmas is next week!

DIY Christmas Gifts – Candles With Cinnamon Sticks

For us bargain shoppers and DIY-ers out there, getting all our loved ones Christmas gifts no longer breaks the bank. The secret to this is actually quite simple. Many people don’t realize that there are other options out there (other than picking up something from the mall) as to finding awesome Christmas gifts for everyone on our Christmas list. Though it may take a lot more thought (thought is free!), DIY presents  have a whole lot more heart.

Many people are scared to DIY Christmas gifts because they think it’s too much work. However, with so many specialty stores out there, you don’t have to handmake everything from scratch! When you buy items in bulk, it’s a lot cheaper than buying them individually. If you spend a little bit of time crafting (not that I mind at all), you can create unique, one of a kind gifts everyone will appreciate!

Today’s DIY Christmas gift idea is simple and quick! I’m going to share with everyone a fun little idea to create candles with cinnamon sticks!

From Country Living

Supplies:

• cinnamon sticks
• scissors
• glue gun & glue
• candles (preferably with a glass jar/cup)
• ribbon
• & extra embellishments of your choosing

Measure how long you want the cinnamon sticks to be and cut. The cinnamon sticks should only be a tiny bit taller than the candle itself. With a glue gun, arrange the cinnamon sticks vertically and glue them onto the glass of the candle (we prefer candles with a glass jar or cup because it is safer). With a ribbon, tie a knot around the cinnamon sticks.

You can also tie extra embellishments onto the ribbon. For example:

• little bells
• tiny ornaments
• bows
• gift tags
• tiny dried holiday berries

You can either wrap this gift in a cellophane gift bag or put it in a box. Be sure to add a little note telling the gift receiver that it’s made by you! They will appreciate the gift that much more!

 

Show your love through crafts: Perfect jewelry box

Valentine’s Day is happening in exactly a week! Have you thought of how to assemble your Valentine’s Day decorations or what to give your Valentine? We know that you must have prepared a gift for your Valentine, but do you have a pretty box to put it in yet? Whether it is homemade chocolates, jewelry, cards, candies, or any other Valentine’s Day related presents, this simple and classy jewelry box is perfect for anything and it is cheap too!

• Two 3 1/4-by-5 1/4 inch cardboard jewelry boxes with accompanying batting, from containerstore.com
• Decorative faux-lizard paper, from katespaperie.com
• Craft knife
• Bone folder
• Ruler
• Paste-style glue, such as Yes Paste
• Foam craft brush
• Red art board (a heavier weight than card stock)
• Satin fabric
• Tape
• Gold banding border and gold paper, from blumchen.com
• Gem candies

Customize Box

Separate the box halves; you’ll use the bottoms and 1 piece of batting to make the box. Print box template; cut out. Trace template twice onto decorative paper; cut out pieces. Using bone folder and ruler, crease papers, following the dotted lines on template. Apply glue to the back of 1 box half using brush; center it on back of paper. Using glue and following the guidelines on template, cover box half in paper. Repeat to cover second box half.

Create Lip and Box Insert

Add a lip to the box bottom: Cut 4 strips of art board equal to the lengths of the box’s sides and all 1/4 inch wider than box’s depth. Glue strips along sides inside 1 box half. For a better presentation, raise the box floor (optional):Cut a long, 1/2-inch-wide strip of art board. Fold it as shown, and secure it to box floor with glue.

Make Satin Cushion

Cut a rectangle of art board to the same dimensions as batting. Cut a piece of satin fabric 1 inch larger on all sides. Stack fabric (right side down), batting, and art board (all centered). Wrap fabric around layers, securing it first at the corners and then on sides with tape. For a more pillowy look, leave a little give in the fabric.

Add Flourishes

Apply 4 thin strips of gold banding border along the edges of box top using glue. Repeat, adding strips along sides of box top and bottom. Cut a small heart from gold paper, and affix it to the center of box top. Place cushion inside box, and fill box with candies.

via MarthaStewart

 

Gift wrapping ideas for Christmas

Tis the season to be giving! We don’t like wrapping our gifts in the conventional way. We like it unique and different to switch it up for this year’s Christmas decorating! Here we provide you some great ideas for this year’s Christmas gift wrapping.

Recycle holiday cards as labels for presents. With a pencil, kids can draw (or stencil) the recipient’s initial onto a card, and cut it out. Punch a hole in the letter, and tie to gift with yarn or ribbon.

Gift tags are all the sweeter when they happen to be crisp cookies. To make them, cut gingerbread dough into shapes or letters, punch with a small hole for threading with cord, and bake. The cookies can be eaten while the unwrapping takes place, or hung on a tree as ornaments.

Who doesn’t love tinsel? Here’s another way to use it: Twist wired tinsel into six-pointed stars. Cut three pieces of tinsel, two of equal length and one a little longer. Twist equal pieces together at centers, and wrap third piece onto the two twisted pieces, forming a star. Bend end of longer piece into a hook, and attach the star from the ribbon on a gift. Or hang as an ornament on a tree.

via Martha Stewart