Wrap it Up!

It always seems like there are one or two people on my Christmas gift list who are difficult to find something for. Either they have everything they need already, or they make wonderful things themselves, or they are just picky! In these cases, I find that a consumable gift, particularly one made with my own hands, is always a good idea. And a gift that is thoughtfully wrapped makes the presentation extra beautiful and special. 

With this in mind, I've put together a few fast and easy-looking ideas I've come across via Pinterest lately. First the consumables: 


 Butternut Cookies via Sarah Wilson

Cookies are always a favorite at any gathering and are easy to pack for giving. These are gluten free.

Coconut Cakes via Scandi Home

 

Chocolate Amaretto Truffles via Sweet Paul 

Yum. Just yum.

Chocolate Haystacks via The Primalist  

Only 3 ingredients!

Roasted Smoky Almonds via Bake Your Day

 

Gourmet Mustards via Martha Stewart

 

Flavored Salts via Minimally Invasive. 

I made these last year and they were very popular. They also come with a free, downloadable pdf label. 

 
Cinnamon Honey Butter via Heather Bullard 

Wrapping your consumable gifts can be as simple as a piece of waxed paper tied with a bit of yarn, or as fancy as some of these ideas: 

Print your own gift wrap via Annixen 

I love that this looks a bit like stranded knit stitches.

Make special gift tags via Cambiandostrada

via 3EggsDesign

via  Fellow Fellow

Use yarn leftovers (because I might - cough, cough - have a few of those...) via Elisabeth Heier

via Bo Bedre

via Fellow Fellow

Make special food packaging via Cannelle-Vanille  

via The Fab Guide 

via Making Nice in the Midwest

I'm also intrigued with furoshiki fabric gift wrap, using a pretty kitchen towel, via Cotton & Flax

Wow, I guess I'd better get busy! 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope this post helps you with some ideas for those last-minute, hard-to-gift people on your list. Or, of course, you may see something tasty that just needs to be made as a little something for yourself!

Decking the Halls Knit Style

Every Christmas I get a wild idea that maybe this will finally be the year I actually make a few of those knitted ornaments and decorations I admire. Once again I'm afraid I must admit it won't be this year. But for those of you who have the time you might like to consider a few fun options like these.

I thought this knitter did a lovely job on her version of a knit star ornament by Karolina Eckerdal.

These Pint Size Pines cork toppers by Julie Tarsha are hot on Ravelry right now.

The 2012 Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts issue has some adorable stockings I'd love to make for family members, especially the little Swedish horse version (it about killed me to not be able to submit a design for this issue when I saw the sub call from Interweave, but other obligations precluded that idea).

For those with a bit less time available, here are some interesting stitch-related ideas including knit-themed letterpress greeting cards,

free downloadable stitch-print wrapping paper by minieco (and other yarn wrap ideas on my Pinterest board like the one shown in the first photo at the top of the post from the Boxwood Clippings blog), 

and these free downloadable knit print gift tags from eatdrinkchic.com.

I hope these ideas help you get started decking your halls! Now I'd better get busy with same...