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Christmas Gift-Wrapping Party!

December 22, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 10 Comments

Christmas Gift-Wrapping Party

Last week I hosted my first gift-wrapping party, something I’ve thought about doing for years. Unless you are some sort of party-throwing ninja, it’s too late to arrange a party this year, but keep this fun idea in mind for next Christmas. A gift-wrapping party is the perfect way to spend time with friends and family while knocking out what some folks see as a huge chore—wrapping that growing pile of gifts.

Confession: I love to wrap gifts. I truly do. And sitting around chatting and laughing with friends, listening to Christmas music, drinking a little vino while wrapping Christmas presents elevates gift-wrapping to a new level.

Since I’d never hosted or attended a party quite like this, I did what made sense to me. Everyone left with happy tummies, bags of wrapped gifts, and a little more Christmas spirit, so overall I’d say it was a success.

Invitation.  I created my event on Facebook which is easy and works well if your invitees are Facebookers, but you can invite friends via paper invitations (what?) or e-vite. The important thing is to get the word out in advance because the Christmas calendar fills up FAST with parties and school events. Don’t stress about your invitation. Here’s what I included on my “invitation” which took all of one minute. (Feel free to copy.)

gift wrapping party invitation

Food and Drink. Set up a buffet of hors d’oeurves and a few sweets. Keep the food simple and easy to eat. The point of the get-together is to wrap presents, but let’s be real, a party without food is no party at all. It’s a meeting. Arrange food on the kitchen countertops or island to free up table surfaces for wrapping. My party was a BYOB event, but I had extra wine and beer on hand, along with a few soft drinks and a pitcher of water. Gift-wrapping makes one parched.

gift wrapping party food!

Gift-Wrapping Stations. Designate your dining room table and/or kitchen table for gift wrapping. Pull out leaves in tables to provide as much room as possible. Remove tablecloths, table runners, centerpieces, etc. Add folding tables if necessary. This is serious gift-wrapping business—think Santa’s Workshop… Have rolls of paper within easy reach. And don’t forget tissue paper.

wrapping paper

Ribbon, Paper, Scissors. Since I am a gift-wrapping freak, I already had lots of ribbon and gift tags. Even so, this was a good excuse to pick up cool new paper and embellishments like glittery stars. Flea markets have lots of interesting vintage items for gift decorating. Start collecting now for next year (and forever).

Gift-wrapping supplies become the decorations for your party. Arrange spools of ribbon and tape in bowls (first picture). Egg dishes make great containers for tags, jingle bells, etc. Personal Motto: There’s no such thing as too many egg dishes.

Gift-Wrapping Party necessities.

Wrapping. Wrap until everything is wrapped. Wrap each other’s gifts. Be sure to take pictures. 

gift wrapping party

Leftovers. At the end of the night, if there are leftovers, get them out of the house asap unless you are trying to gain weight over the holidays in which case we can’t be friends. Just kidding (no really). Provide your guests with Ziploc bags or plastic containers for take home treats. 

Alrighty, that’s a wrap on this year’s gift-wrapping party. The best thing about it? When everyone leaves and you are left with the wonderful messiness of a fun evening, your heart is filled with gratitude for a season that brings friends together.

gift wrapping party!

Merry Christmas and may all your gifts be beautifully wrapped. Or at least have fun while wrapping:)

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis url=”http://wp.me/p58902-1dZ”]The best thing about a #Christmas gift-wrapping party? Bringing friends together + chocolate + wine.[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]Gift-wrapping makes one parched. #Wine #Friends #ChristmasParty[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Pretty Paper – Willie Nelson

Gift-Wrapping Party Checklist

 

Uncommon Goods Literary Scarf

December 11, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 7 Comments

This post is sponsored by Uncommon Goods. All opinions are my own. 

When Uncommon Goods asked me to work with them on a product review, I jumped on board. Committed to the environment and sustainability, Uncommon Goods promotes handmade items and donates a portion of each sale to various non-profit groups. For those hard to shop for people on your Christmas list—you know the ones—you will find something in the company’s catalog because its filled with, yes, uncommon goods.

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffers? Uncommon Goods has a wonderland of choices HERE.

A personalized gift? Take a gander at these one of a kind ideas HERE.

There are must-have artifacts for the man cave dweller, the sports fan, gardener, geek.

Gifts to charm ladies of all ages.

You get the picture.

I’ve had my eye on this literary scarf for some time.

Uncommon Goods - Literary Scarf

What a truly unique gift for anyone who loves the written word. Writer friends? Check. Voracious reader? Check. Anyone who wants to be stylish and warm this winter? Check.

First let me say, I am impressed with the texture. This infinity-style scarf is medium weight—not too heavy but substantial enough to keep me warm—and it’s soft like a well-loved t-shirt. The color, more eggshell than stark white, will go with most anything. The print is clear (much clearer than my fuzzy photo might  lead you to believe) and includes not only passages from the book, but fun illustrations too.

The Literary Scarf comes in three styles: Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights or Alice in Wonderland. (I am wearing Alice in Wonderland, one of my all-time favorite books.)

So seriously, before you drag yourself to the crowded mall, spend some time browsing the Uncommon Goods website. Click HERE to view the holiday catalog. Not only will you find uber cool gifts for everyone on your list, but the company promotes Instagram challenges, design contests, and includes an entire category of odd yet interesting things you need to know. Like whether or not men yawn more than women. And if cats can be allergic to people. Curiouser and curiouser, right? Because the company is uncommon.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

“Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds like uncommon nonsense.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

[tweetthis]Something uncommon for everyone on your #Christmas list! #LiteraryScarf @UncommonGoods #anythingbutordinary [/tweetthis]

 

Southern Christmas Gifts under $25!

November 25, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 9 Comments

Southern Christmas Gift Roundup

(This Southern Christmas Gift post is sponsored by 

P. Allen Smith, Bourbon and Boots and Bentley’s Batch 5. All opinions are my own.) 

Once again, Christmas is rushing up on us, and I have a problem—I hate to shop. If shopping doesn’t involve plants, books, an antique/thrift store or the farmer’s market, I DREAD it. And because I dread it, I do most of my shopping on-line. For those of you who enjoy shopping from the convenience of your cozy home, I’ve rounded up these southern Christmas gifts, something fun for everyone on your list.

Everything is locally made in the South.

Everything is priced under $25. You don’t have to spend a pile of money to buy something perfect and thoughtful and full of southern charm.

Before you get started, I have two deals that will save you money on several of these gifts found at the online stores of P. Allen Smith and Bourbon and Boots.

Deal #1

Sign up today to receive news from P. Allen Smith and you will immediately receive a 25% off coupon code to use in his on-line store. Click HERE to sign up. Easy money! Your inbox will not be bombarded with tons of emails, I promise. Plus, once you do this you will be eligible to win one of ten $50 gift cards to Shop.PAllenSmith.com. The winners will be selected by random draw. Offer good through December 12, 2014.

Deal #2

Use the code bloggracegg14 for 5% off any purchase at Bourbon and Boots. Offer good through December 31, 2014.

Okay, now on to my Christmas gift list…

For the Dedicated Gardener:

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

As a gardener myself, I love these herb stakes made of natural wood. They come perfectly packaged in a whitewashed box and make a great little gift or stocking stuffer!

click to see more: HERB STAKES

For the Sweaty Outdoorsman:

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

If you’ve spent any time in the Ozark Mountains, you know the area is special. These 100% unbleached cotton bandanas are hand printed with eco-friendly water-based ink. These babies make me wanna go hiking.

click to check this out: OZARK MAP BANDANA

For Girls of all Ages:

Southern Christmas Gifts under $25

How seriously cute is this? These state charm necklaces are made in Oklahoma but available in several different state versions. I bought the Texas one for my niece’s birthday last year. The chain is a simple antiqued brass and the charms come in a variety of fun colors.

Click to see all the options: STATE CHARM NECKLACE

For Thirsty Farmers:

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

Raise your hand if you know a thirsty farmer? Every farmer I’ve ever known is thirsty at the end of a long day in the fields. Could this gift be any more appropriate? At $10, buy one for each of your farmer friends. I bet they will crack open a cold one for you too.

Click for all those hardworking farmers: TRACTOR BOTTLE OPENER

For the Crafty Seamstress: 

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

I don’t sew, and I love this pincushion. I do have a junk drawer with straight pins just laying around waiting to stab me. This little treasure will wrangle all your pins and be stylish doing it. Just think how much someone who really sews will appreciate it.

Click to view: ANTIQUE-STYLE PIN CUSHION

For the Stylish Imbiber:

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

In a word, cool. These flasks are pocket sized, stainless steel and covered with synthetic leather. The images range from deer and fish to guns and mustaches. Perfect for tailgating and other southern hipster activities.

Click for more coolness: HIPSTER FLASK

For Sweet Eating Book Hoarders:

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

This book by Arkansawyer Kat Robinson includes everything you ever wanted to know about pie in the Natural State. And she will sign it for you too. An autographed book always makes a delicious gift.

Click here: Arkansas Pie 

For Squealing Babies:

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

If you’re a Mama, you appreciate the beauty and simplicity of the onesie—THE newborn wardrobe essential. Plus, doesn’t every child deserves to start out life with a Merle Haggard-ism on his or her chest? Absolutely.

Click to try: MAMA TRIED ONESIE

For Fashionable Dogs:

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

Nothing says southern like a bit of gingham flair. All the fashionable fidos agree.

Click to sniff: GINGHAM DOG COLLARS

For the Hot Grillmeister:

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

Elevate your barbecue with this bold, rich sauce made from an old Texas family recipe. Better buy all three because each is wonderfully different. Isn’t life too short to eat less than stellar barbecue sauce? I think so.

Click to buy pronto: BENTLEY’S BATCH 5 BARBECUE SAUCE

For Dirty Men Everywhere:

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

What do these three things have in common—gravel roads, gunpowder and home brew? They all lead to fun times and big trouble. Clean your man up with this soap handmade in Little Rock.

Click for fun: MEN’S BAR SOAP

For the Ornament Collector:

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

Show your state pride with these wire ornaments that aren’t just for Christmas. Hang them from your doorknob, rearview mirror, wherever. If you have a family divided like ours (Razorback and Longhorn), you will need more than one. Currently available for the folks who love Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

Click for more info: SOUTHERN STATE ORNAMENT

For the Hostess with the Mostest:

 Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

Ahhhh, this candle is light and refreshing like a sip of sweet tea. Hence the name. Any southern hostess would be happy to receive it. And really, you can’t have too many candles.

Click to buy: SWEET TEA CANDLE

For Santa Claus:

Southern Christmas Gifts Under $25

Let’s talk about Santa. He works hard all year with a bunch of elves way up at the frozen North Pole so that he can pack his cramped sleigh and deliver a bundle of soon forgotten toys down your sooty chimney. Doesn’t he deserve chocolate? Real chocolate. Chocolate with moonshine? Yes, yes he does. He’s tired of slice and bake chocolate chip cookies. He told me so.

Click for Santa: MOONSHINE TRUFFLES

So that’s my list. Check it twice and don’t forget to use the coupon codes mentioned above.

Happy on-line shopping!

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis url=”http://wp.me/p58902-182″]#Southern #Christmas gifts under $25! #shoplocal @PAllenSmith @BourbonandBoots @TieDyeTravels @BentleysBatch5[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

White Christmas Cartoon Song – The Drifters

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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