5 Ways to Wrap a Wine Bottle

Wrapping bottles can be tricky but there are so many creative ways to wrap wine bottles and I thought I'd share 5 beautiful ideas.  Use these to wrap wine bottles or EVOO for hostess gifts. They're an easy DIY project as well! 

Fabric Wraps 

Fabric wine bottle wraps are both elegant and eco-friendly.  You can use a tea towel or a piece of fabric Furoshiki style (a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth). The Japanese have been using Furoshiki for centuries.  Check out these instructions for Furoshiki wine bottle wraps for 1 or 2 bottles.   

Tea Towel Wine Bottle Wrapping

I used a tea towel to create the look above.  This works great as hostess gift.  Your hostess can keep the tea towel once done and there's no wasted wrapping.  You can find beautiful tea towels at discount stores.  If you're ok with a splurge, check out the tea towels at Anthropologie.  They always have some really cute embroidered ones.  Just remember that you'll be using the tea towel upside down to wrap the wine bottle.  So keep this in mind when selecting your design. 

Tissue Wraps 

Martha Stewart has demonstrated how beautiful tissue paper wrapping can be.  We all have tissue at home so this is beautiful and easy when you're in a pinch. You can find some beautiful patterned tissues and they sell it everywhere so it's easy and affordable if you need to get it last minute.  Here's my version.  I used tissue with holiday inspired colors and secured it with yarn.  

Tissue Paper Wine Bottle Wrapping

Ribbon Wrap 

I think this is just stunning. There's so many options of ribbons to choose from.  You can make such a statement with the ribbon you pick.  Just a hint, secure the ribbon with a glue dot at the top of the bottle, then wrap around the whole bottle.  Make sure not to let any of the bottle peep through.  Once done wrapping, you can secure the ribbon at the bottom with another glue dot.  You then use a separate piece to tie a bow. 

Ribbon Wine Bottle Wrapping

Recycled Sweater 

I love cable knit sweaters so I must admit that this is one my favorites.  I got inspired from another blog for this idea.  Check out Grey Likes Weddings for DIY instructions. I love the warmth of this look.  Don't have an old sweater you want to cut up?  Here's an alternative, buy a cute pair of knee socks to get a similar look. Drop the wine bottle into one sock and use the other to tie around the neck.  

Recycled Sweater Wine Bottle Wrapping

 

Ornament or Bottle Stopper Detail 

I love the simplicity of tying ribbon around the bottle with a beautiful ornament. You can get cute ornaments for such great prices. I found this ornament at the local discount store for just $1.99. If the holiday look isn't what you're after, attach a wine stopper instead. 

 

Ornament Detail Wine Bottle Wrapping

 

Do you have any other creative ideas for wrapping wine bottles? Share them in the comments below. 

  

Happy gifting, 

Ali 

  

  

  

 

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10 Fabulous Last Minute Hostess Gifts

I put myself up to the challenge of finding some pretty, affordable and easy hostess gifts.  I limited myself to my local pharmacy and the web.  This was an exercise in extreme last minute-ness!  I took my son in the stroller to the pharmacy during his witching hour.  You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you can find in the pharamacy these days. 

So here are my 10 pics for last minute hostess gifts:

1) Cookbook - What a great gift for the hostess that likes to cook or is just learning how.  Pharmacies carry a nice selection of books.  They often have bestsellers at a discount. 

2) Magazine subscription - This is one gift idea that you can easily order online.  Just write up a nice message on a notecard and let your hostess know that they'll be receiving their monthly subscription.  You can also pick up the most recent issue of the magazine, attach a bow and your notecard if you want to bring an actual gift rather than simply a card with you.

3) Music -  The gift of music is great at any time of the year.  You can email or print an iTunes gift card.  If you prefer, you can pick up a CD at your local pharmacy.  Most pharmacies sell compilation CD's and have demo stations where you can hear the music before you buy.

4) Tea - I found a great selection of gourmet teas in beautiful packaging.  This is a nice, thoughtful and fairly inexpensive gift to keep your hostess warm during the holidays. Pick 2 to 3 different teas in nice tins, line them up in a row and wrap them in cellophane with some ribbon.

5) Coffee - Just like the teas, you can find some beautifully packaged gourmet coffees at the pharmacy.  If you prefer, you can stop by your local coffee shop to get your hostess' favorite blend.  Coffee shops tend to have late hours and pre-packaged gifts that make this another last minute winner.

6) Chocolates - I found some of the most beautifully packaged European chocolates at my local pharmacy. I like to look for chocolates with beautiful packaging.  Some that you wouldn't normally splurge on for yourself.  Just pile up a few and tie them with some beautiful ribbon.

7) Olive oil - I know there are a few foodies who are questioning me.  I found some nice Italian EVOO packaged in a wine bottle.  My pharmacy sells fresh baguettes so if you want an extra something, bring a nice bottle of Olive Oil and a baguette. Who doesn't like some fresh bread dipped in olive oil?!

8) Candy dish - I found a great tapas dish set for just under $10 at my pharmacy (in the image above).  What I love about this is that you can fill it with candies, nuts, dried fruit, or even dips.  You can find hummus and dips in the fridge section of many pharmacies.  Whether you find a single candy dish or a set like I found, fill the bowls, wrap them in cello and you're good to go.  Too lazy (or late) to clean the dish and fill it with goodies?  Just toss the dish in a gift bag and you're on your way.

9) Nuts and dried fruit - You can find some great options when it comes to dried fruit and nuts.  The selection of dried fruit that I found at the pharmacy was beautiful.  From mangoes and figs to beautiful spiced nuts, this is sweet and savory winner.

10) Gift Cards - If you've got to get something for the hostess that has it all or is extremely picky, I'd say go with a gift card.  These days you can get your pick of gift cards for most national retailers at your local pharmacy. Most were avaiable starting from $25.

Do you have any last minute hostess gift ideas? 

Happy gifting,
Ali

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Dreaming of Summer: Sandbox Centerpiece

It's been a while since I've posted.  I've been busy getting some stuff done in our house and working on a special gift for my mom's birthday.  The important thing is that I'm back and ready to blog.

This is a post that I've had in my back pocket for a while. Ok, since August.  I have to warn you that it does have a summery feel to it.  I'm not trying to tease you, I just thought it would be appropriate to share a warm weather idea so that we can all dream of summer again.  Plus, I didn't want to wait until next summer to share the idea.

Ok, so back to the details of this project.  My fuzzin (fake cousin) and his wife, had a little baby boy named Issie.  As soon as I got the call that the baby was born and that it was a boy, I started brainstorming on centerpiece ideas for the bris (religious circumcision ceremony).  They only needed one centerpiece for the buffet table so it needed to be substantial. 

I decided to create a sandbox centerpiece.  Michael's was having their summer clearance sale and the timing couldn't be better! I found a great basket that looked like a sandbox.  I spray painted wood letters and spelled out the baby's name on the side of the basket.  I added a few other decorative wood details that I found at Michael's.  I filled the basket with crumpled newspaper.  Doing so ensured that I would only need a small amount of sand.  I then lined the basket with Press n' Seal wrap to keep the sand from seeping through the cracks in the basket.  Since this was going to be a centerpiece place next to food, I dediced not to use sand and opted for graham cracker crumbs instead.  They're cleaner and really did end up looking like sand.  I arranged some sand toys in the graham cracker crumbs and even sprinkled some on the toys to make it look a little more realistic.  All in all, it was a very simple DIY centerpiece.  You can create something similar for a birthday party, baby naming or summer party.

Have you planned a sandbox themed party?  How have your incorporated the theme into the decor? 

Happy crafting,
Ali

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