I’m tempted to make a batch of these little Hot Chocolate on a Stick sweets because they’re way too cute for their own good and I think they’d be great stocking stuffers. But I’m pretty sure I’ll be hard-pressed not to just eat them like lollipops before they ever find their ways to my gift listers. {via the kitchn}
One of my favorite holiday traditions is the advent calendar. I’ve had one every December for as long as I can remember and my mother still buys me one each year (I’m not allowed to purchase my own!). As a child it always hung in the very same place, the closet door in the living room, and since college it’s adorned my refrigerator. Here are a few that really stood out to me this year, some you can purchase but most can be made with a few simple supplies!
A traditional take on the advent calendar, each of the twenty-five windows revealing a symbol of Christmas. Printed on thick watercolor paper, which gives a texture to the print and a substantive quality to the piece. Sturdy enough to be used year after year.
For the individual that never wants to leave home without receiving their advent treat. And those who like to wear the same sweater for twenty five consecutive days…
A fun project using mini envelopes and colored dot stickers from Nice Package to create a decidedly modern take on the advent calendar.
I love the huge numbers printed on the tall bags and strung from a clothesline. So pretty!
A two for one: twenty five sticker labels for advent gifts plus twelve for the twelve days of Christmas! That Marta thinks of everything…
This one’s a freebie! Just follow the link to an email address and they’ll send you a .pdf to download. I’ve already got mine and am planning on constructing it this weekend!
Each tiny gift box has two sides with adorable designs, the other two sides have been left blank to customize for you or your children.
I love what Hillary did here, instead of receiving a gift or treat each day a snowflake is unrolled and revealed. On Christmas Day the entire garland will be full and you’ll have one more decoration!
This solution is to make an advent calendar with notes and clues. Each spool has a daily note that wrapped around it will lead the recipient on a hunt for their presents.
The minimalist version. Makes me want to paint on my living room walls!
Posted In calendars, christmas, holidays, paper goods, round up
The functionality of the Coffee Time Coffeeset is awesome. Designed by Elise Berthier, the porcelain set of six coffee cups and stirrers comes with its own serving tray. The cup lids keep the coffee warm and then offer the dual function as saucers. And it’s compact, making it perfect for apartment living where cupboard space is so scarce!
When faced with what hostess gift to take to a party, I love the wine route. It’s guaranteed to be used and everyone can always use an extra bottle. It also leaves lots of room to get creative with the presentation. I’m digging these Around the World Wine Totes, they’re eco-friendly and reusable.
I’m participating in a cookie swap next month and have been searching high and low for the perfect recipe. Fifteen people are signed up which equals a maddening 180 cookies to be baked. These unexpected Sweet Potato Cookies are at the top my list of possibilities at the moment.
Posted In recipes
Only in the past week have I freed my mittens and gloves from their dark existence on the top shelf of my coat closet. And I’ve realized that most are either A. unraveling or B. really old. All the more reason for me to pick up a pair of Sara LaGrace’s mini paws. Well, that and the fact that they’re freakin’ adorable, which holds a lot of merit.
Among many other obsessions lies a big one for planners. Here are just a few I came across that struck my fancy. Have you picked one up yet for 2010?
This charming French date book is perpetual – you can start it any time of the year! With beautiful watercolor illustrations on each of the 192 acid-free pages, this paperback, thread-bound date book is perfect for keeping track of a busy schedule, with the freedom to pick up on any day you fancy. Includes sections for scheduling the year, by month, by week and places for free notes and lists. Also comes with a small companion note book with lined pages.
Greet 2010 with this cheery pocket-sized calendar. Featuring Jen’s silkscreened galoshes illustration, this calendar has hand-lettered pages for each month, plus additional (lined and unlined) pages for notes.
When closed, the calendar measures 4.25×5.5″. The cover is a heavy, acid-free card stock; the sixteen interior pages are on a bright white, textured archival paper. It has been hand-bound with linen string for extra durability.
Full color cover, lush green interior pages with 8 repeating original illustrations of all the little details found in the forest and in the tidepools. The months and dates are blank so that you may begin, interrupt or end the book as you wish. Printed with vegetable-based inks on reincarnation paper [100% recycled, 50% post-consumer waste, and processed chlorine free] and wire-o bound. Measures 5.5″ x 7″ closed.
The 2010 Kate Spade desktop calendar turns a playful eye toward some of the most mischievous, puzzling words in the english language accompanied by whimsical illustrations by Bella Foster. The 12 month desktop calendar features 3 pages per month, notes, address, and restaurant pages. Measures 5.75″w x 8.75″h.
Elegant and eminently useable, this desktop planner turns organization into a breeze. A marvel of design, the multi-page format allows the user to survey their week-at-a-glance and month-at-a-glance at the same time, as well as all of their daily and monthly to-do lists.
An individual Volant daily planner for each month of the year. The 12 months are packed in a gift box that protects, organizes, and preserves. Month numbers are printed on the outside of each planner. Measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches; 64 pages (32 sheets) in each. Thread bound with a cardboard bound cover and rounded corners, acid free paper, a bookmark, an elastic closure and an expandable inner pocket.
Posted In calendars, paper goods, round up
Love these pieces of wooden fruit. When you wind them up the apple plays Bacharach’s What the World Needs Now Is Love and the pear croons Chopin’s Nocturne. The apple would make the perfect teacher’s gift, dontcha think?
(Did anyone else start singing “Beans, beans, the musical fruit…”? No, just me? Okay, then.)
Posted In accessories, gifts, house and home
