Thursday, December 3, 2009

Simplicity

Well, the Christmas (and Hannukah, and Kwanzaa) season is upon us!  I don't know about everyone else, but I am whoa excited.  And since we're not decorating at all this year (people think we're nuts, but we're headed home again and who wants to come home to having to pack up a tree?) I am getting into the idea of our homemade Christmas.  We are planning on making gifts, or doing things for others this year.  And last month I sent out a couple care packages to two amazing girls and thought that maybe others would be interested, since it's something simple, but nice.  Remember, keep it simple and don't try and do something new.  If you bake, great!  If you don't, don't use this as a time to experiment with baking!  Include some classic holiday candy or treat and let yourself breathe!

I started by making some pumpkin muffins.  They seem to be a big hit with everyone who eats them, so I figured it was a good way to start.  (I also made chocolate covered pretzels with dark and white chocolate, but didn't like how they turned out.)  I picked up a couple of pretty cardboard boxes and painted them turquoise.  Why you might ask?  Because.  Who wants a whole bunch of holiday things they can only use once a year?  And I had already printed off some cute recipe cards that had red and turquoise on them, so I went with it.  
Next I cut out some cards and hand painted them with each girl's name.  I tried to make each a little different, and it worked out how I wanted.  Hindsight being what it is, I would recommend sketching it out in pencil beforehand, but it worked out well for being done freehand.  
I had also printed off a card from The Bright Side Project as a reminder usually much needed this time of year.  Go here to get a copy for yourself to print!
On top of the box and printed card I placed the recipe cards.  The first card was the recipe for the pumpkin muffins, and then there were 5 blank ones that were a slight variation, with the same design.  The recipe cards were from Purple Lemon Designs, and if you are wanting a few for yourself, go here.  
This was placed into a box padded with some paper to keep things from shifting too much.  I placed a couple other things in each box picked out for each individual.  Then more paper placed on top and the notecard I wrote a quick note in got placed on top of the paper so they would see it when opening the box.  It was quick, simple, and I had so much fun doing it!
Do you send out care packages?  Have any cute ideas you want to share?  Please let me know, I would love to do a post (or link to yours) about this, since it's a simple way to brighten someone's day!

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8 comments:

  1. What a sweet, charming, considerate gift! I wish I could bake, but alas, I cannot. I really can barely make french toast, much less the bread with which to dip in egg...

    I don't send care packages, but I do like to send greeting cards to my friends. Sometimes randomly, always on silly holidays (St. Paddy's Day, etc.), and especially at Valentine's.

    My favorite Halloween card I sent this year had Frankenstein on the front and said "I'm glad to have a freak like you for a friend." Or something like that :)

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  2. Ooooh, turquoise and red are my FAVorite colors! Love the ideas! Cute box....where did you find it???

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  3. Aww, it's my name!!
    I LOVED the care package you sent me and am in the process of sending one back to you...it's just taking a little longer than expected. :-)

    I almost freaked when I saw the turqouise box, because it matches my room perfectly!!

    Also, the muffins were to die for!! They were gone in like 60 seconds...

    Finally, the Bright Side Project card is on my fridge, as a daily reminder.

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  4. lawschoolwife--Greeting cards and little note cards are an excellent way to brighten someone's day! I love the Frankenstein card, it sounds like something I would send out!

    Mrs Honeysuckle--I found the box in the craft section of wal-mart. They have a couple different sizes of it, along with round boxes that would make wonderful hat boxes!

    Steph--I am so glad you liked it! I was inspired when I was going through my computer and pulled up pics I had saved off a SF blog of a candy store with turquoise tables and red and pink candy. And now I want candy.....hmmm.

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  5. Thanks so much for using my printable recipe cards...Glad you liked them!

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  6. Kalee, love the crafy side of you. It reminds me that I need to sit down and try something as I like to send out cards but maybe spice it up a little. You have pretty handwritting.

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  7. Absolutely divine! Imagine their delight upon receiving these.

    Love the reminder . . .'smile, breathe . . . life is beautiful'

    yes it is!
    :-)
    Jean

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  8. Love the "reminder card" that you included!! Very cool. :) Stopping by as this week's CSI Judge. :)

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