Gift Ideas Archives - Page 6 of 28

arts and craft, christmas gift wrap, Gift Ideas, Guests, Pretty Handsome Guy

Fixing Common Gift Wrap Problems – Guest Post by Pretty Handsome Guy

Fixing Common Gift Wrap Problems | OMG! So funny, you have to read this. | Pretty Handy Girl

Hi all, Pretty Handsome Guy here filling in for Brittany. Last night Brittany and I were wrapping presents and I thought I’d share with you some common gift wrap problems and how to deal with them. Think of this as the polar opposite of her Creative Gift Wrapping series of posts.

The Squish and Tape and Tape and Tape

Do you ever end up with a present that hangs out of the wrapping paper?

No problem, simply squish the gift inside the packaging as far as you can…

…and quickly fold over the end and slap on some tape. Then use some more tape to close the gaps,

and just for good measure add some more tape. Hey, tape is cheap, no need to be stingy with it!

All done, and the goal of hiding the present has been achieved!

The Panel (not to be confused with the type of pants pregnant women wear.)

How many times have you cut your wrapping paper only to realize that it is too short to go around the package? When it comes to wrapping presents I adhere to the adage “measure never, just cut it”. I mean seriously people we aren’t building a house here, what you are wrapping is meant to be destroyed anyways.

Here is the solution! It is called the panel. Simply cut another piece of wrapping paper the width of the gap (or maybe a little wider.)

Tape it on (no need to match up the pattern, no one will see the bottom when it is under the tree.). Bonus points if you can manage to use 2-3 different types of wrapping paper – just tell everyone it is a “holiday medley”.

Super easy solution and the best part is that you don’t have to go back and cut a whole new piece of wrapping paper. The environment will thank you for this one.

The Nip, Tuck & Roll

Now we are down to one of the most common wrapping problems. What to do when you have too much wrapping paper on the ends of your package. And yes I realize most of these “problems” are a function of not measuring in the first place but whatever.

Normally I would simply roll the sides in until they meet the package, but in an effort to neaten things up a bit, you can simply gather the end in your hands and snip off the excess.

Now simply fold in the end towards the box.

Continue to roll the paper in…

…until you reach the box, then smash the end down with your hand to flatten it.

And tape your end down.

Done. Problem solved, any questions?

Adding a Gift Tag (bet you’ve never seen it done this way!)

I found the little key tags that Brittany bought for tagging her presents. Creative idea and all but sheesh a lot more work than a stick-on “To/From” tag. But I devised a new way to attach them to the gift without ribbon.

Simply grasp a corner of your package and use a hole punch to make a hole in the gift wrap.

Then take a piece of tape and twist it into what I call a “tapepick” (looks like a toothpick.)

Thread the “tapepick” into the hole you made in your gift wrap.

Then grab another piece of tape and fold it over the ends of your tapepick to secure them.

That’s it. Thanks for reading my post today. Hopefully Brittany will invite me back to show you how I make a bed in less than 10 seconds!

– Pretty Handsome Guy

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how to fix common gift wrapping problems

December 24, 2016/43 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

Gift Ideas, gifts, recipe

Quick & Easy Peppermint Oreo Recipe

Want a quick and easy holiday recipe you can make with the kids? When you don’t have time to bake, but you still want to give a homemade holiday treat, try this recipe for Peppermint Oreos!

Quick & Easy Peppermint Oreos

Ingredients:

1 Pkg. of Oreo cookies
1 Pkg. of peppermint candies
1 Pkg. of white chocolate chips

Instructions:

Place the peppermint candies in a double ziploc bags. Let the kids hammer them to smithereens! (I placed scrap wood under the peppermints to protect the countertop.)

While the kids are pounding away to their heart’s content. Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler (or in the microwave. But, the double boiler will keep the chocolate from hardening as fast.)

Pry the hammers from your kid’s hands. Place the crushed peppermints into shallow bowls (one for each child.)

Roll the edge of the oreo cookies into the white chocolate.

Then roll them into the crushed peppermints.

Lay the cookies onto wax paper to cool.

After they cool, eat them, gift them or save them for a snowy day.

A bunch of oreos would fit nicely in one of these decorated gift bags made from a cloth napkin, don’t you think?

Want more 15 Minute Gift Ideas?

Happy Holidays!

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December 12, 2016/9 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

arts and craft, Gift Ideas, jewelry display

DIY Copper Ring Jewelry

The holidays are here and you know what that means: It’s time to check off items from your gift list. I don’t know about you, but I detest braving the mall traffic and chaos. I’d much prefer to stay indoors and make gifts for the ones I love. Not only is it more peaceful DIYing gifts, but it saves money too! Why not make beautiful DIY Copper Ring Jewelry for the bling lovers on your list. Or you could use a ring or two and make a unique key chain fob.

I’m honored to be part of the Bernzomatic Torch Bearers program. Bernzomatic has sponsored this post to help you with your holiday gift ideas.

This fun project is sure to keep you warm and cozy with a little fire and heat using a Bernzomatic ST2200T Detail Torch. The ST2200T is a great torch to start with if you’ve never used one. The small size fits in the palm of your hand and produces a small fine tip flame that’s perfect for jewelry making (among other small projects.)

To make the copper ring jewelry, you’ll need a few supplies. You can pick most of them up at your local hardware store or online.

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Bernzomatic ST2200T Detail Torch
Bernzomatic Butane
Bernzomatic Flux & Lead Free Solder
Soldering Board (or non-flammable surface to work on)
3/4″ Copper pipe (1-2 foot is plenty)
Copper wire
Safety glasses
Gloves
Pipe cutter
Pliers
Sandpaper for metal
Metal file
Jewelry chain or leather cording
Jewelry clasps
Rub n’ Buff in Copper or Gold

Instructions:

Use the pipe cutter to cut several rings (approximately 1/8″ thick) off the end of your copper pipe. You may need to cut several to get ones the same thickness. (For more details on how to use a pipe cutter, you can watch my video here.

Select the rings you wish to use for the necklace.

Use the metal file to file off any sharp edges on the copper rings.

Sand the edges until they are smooth (I turned my power sander upside down in a clamping table and turned it on while holding the rings onto the sandpaper to speed the process of sanding.)

Start by laying two rings side-by-side.

Apply a generous amount of flux to each ring where you wish to join them.

Start your Bernzomatic ST2200T torch and heat the rings where you added the flux.

As soon as the flux melts, touch the solder wire onto the spot where the flux was. (Make sure the rings are still touching. If not, nudge them back together with the pliers.) Hold the solder in place until it flows onto the copper rings.

Let the rings cool (or drop them in a container of cold water.)

Solder the next ring by following the steps above (add flux, heat, and solder.) If you mess up, you can reheat the solder to remove it and start over.

Curl a piece of copper wire to form a circle.

Cut off the copper circle.

Open the circle slightly. Add flux to the wire ends and the copper ring where you want to join them. Heat the area, let the flux melt and touch the solder to the ends of the copper wire. (This step may prove a little difficult to control the solder. If you are having trouble, try to add the solder to the copper ring, then guide the wire into the molten solder. Hold the wire in place with pliers until the solder hardens.)

To hide the shiny silver solder, use copper Rub n’ Buff on the joints. Or coat the entire necklace pendant with gold Rub n’ Buff for gold jewelry.

Feed a chain through the loop . . .

. . . or sew some suede leather cord to the loops.

Then sew clasps to the other end.

Behold beautiful new necklaces that you made yourself!

These necklaces would look great with any bohemian or casual outfits.

They are super fun to make and will surely delight anyone who loves jewelry.

What could you make with a Bernzomatic Torch and some copper pipe? The possibilities are only limited by your mind.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Bernzomatic. As a Bernzomatic Torch Bearer, I was provided complimentary torches and was compensated for my time and efforts. I was not told what to write. All opinions are my own. I am particular about the brands I represent and will always let you know when you are reading a sponsored post.

Want more frugal gift ideas for the holiday season?

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November 25, 2016/6 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

Build It, Gift Ideas

DIY Tool Tote Gift

Jaime here today from That’s My Letter dropping in to say hello to all you Pretty Handy Girl readers. I’m sharing this DIY tool tote gift idea. It’s perfect for Father’s Day, a Honey-Do Shower, New Homeowners, or basically any occasion — because who doesn’t love tools?!!

You can use any scrap wood, I used a piece of 1×6 cedar and a 1″ dowel to built this tool tote. Then simply fill with all the essential basics one might need or want:

You could go crazy at the hardware store pulling together all your favorite tools and supplies. I stuck to the basics with a hammer, screwdrivers, measuring tape, level, paint brushes, painter’s tape, super glue, spray insulation, chair felts and picture hanging hooks.

Of course you don’t have to fill the tote with tools, it’s perfect for any gift basket contents:

Below are the step-by-step instructions to build this tool tote.

Always follow all safety precautions when operating power tools.

Materials:

1 – 1″x6″x8′ cedar board
1 – 1″ dowel
saw
measuring tape
pencil
drill and 1″ forstner bit
nailer and 1 ¼” finish nails
wood glue
sander
clear polyurethane

Cut List:

2 – 1×6 @ 18″ (sides)
2 – 1×6 @ 12″ (ends, dog ear the corners as pictured)
1 – 1×6 @ 16 ½” (base)
1 – 1″ dowel @ 17 ½” (handle)

Step 1: Using a 1″ forstner bit, drill a hole for the handle about 1/2″ deep into center top of each dog-earred end piece.

Step 2: Assemble the handle into the ends. Attach the ends to the base using wood glue and 1 ¼” finish nails.

Step 3: Attach the sides using wood glue and 1 ¼” finish nails. Sand smooth.

Applying clear satin polyurethane will make the cedar wood grain pop. It not only looks beautiful, but will protect the wood from wear and tear.

Are you ready for Father’s Day? Do you have a certain someone who could use a tool tote gift?

I hope you enjoyed this DIY project idea.

~ read more of Jaime’s tutorials ~

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June 15, 2016/5 Comments/by Jaime Costiglio

DIY, DIY tools, Do It Yourself, Gift Ideas, gifts

10 Cool Gifts that Every Handy Guy (or Gal) Would Love

10 Cool DIY Gifts for Handy Guy or Girl on Your List

As an avid DIYer, I know that Father’s Day is a good time to pick up great bargains on DIY tools and more. Sometimes picking out the right gift for that handy person in your life can be a little daunting. Therefore, I’ve created a list of cool products that I love and I know your “handy” person would too. And, hey, if this list is for the handy gal instead, then so be it!

Here are 10 Cool Gifts that Every Handy Guy (or Gal) Would Love, to fit any budget (contains affiliate links.) Read more

June 13, 2016/7 Comments/by Brittany Bailey