Let's wrap it up!

Now that we're done posting all of the sweet stuff, we thought we'd share some ideas about packaging those goodies up. When you take the time to make something yourself, it's a real gift, so have fun and make it look like one! Here's some quick and easy ideas to pretty up those yummies.

First thing- use a fun ribbon. Nice ribbon is such a great touch and makes everything instantly look more gourmet. And fancy ribbon doesn't have to be pricey ribbon. I pulled these from my ribbon box and most of them were a dollar (for at least 3 yards) at the craft store. You don't have to stick to just red and green either!


Cellophane Bags: Cheap, easy, economical. You can get plain ones at craft stores, or kitchen stores. I have a pack of 50 that I got for a few bucks. They come in all sizes. During the holidays you can get them with cute designs on them too. Target has a whole bunch in their dollar section. They're great for breads, like Almond Poppy Seed, or snack mixes like Peppermint Bark Popcorn. Or stack cookies like Ginger Spice Cookies or Chocolate Chip. Tie with a bow and you're all set.


I love these little buckets, also from the dollar section in Target. I especially love this one. Doesn't it look like it should have something naughty in it? So so cute. I would be happy if someone gave me a bucket with a sparkly boa on it. Fill with tissue, a cellophane bag, whatever.

Chinese takeout boxes are classic. I still remember my Mom filling them up with candied nuts when I was a kid and I thought they were so cool. You can find them everywhere now and they're so cute. The great thing is that you really don't need to do much to make them festive. You can line with tissue or parchment first, or just pop stuff in there. They're usually a dollar each and you can find them in both paper and plastic. These ones are from Michaels Craft Store and Target.
One of my all-time favorite food packaging items are peep window boxes like these. They just remind me of cute bakery boxes or something and I love just getting a glimpse of what's inside! In these are Glacé Iced Sugar Cookies

Wilton makes a whole line of Christmas and winter-themed boxes. I saw a ton in different sizes at the craft store the other day, like the one below. These are perrrfect for Peppermint Candy Cane Brownies!


A couple of Christmases ago I got a bunch of cheap pencil boxes at the dollar store. I lined them with parchment, filled them with sweets, and tied on a big red bow. They were so cute!


I'm always on the lookout in my own pantry for good containers. Any cylindrical container with a plastic lid makes a great treat bucket. (And you can laugh knowing that you're about to fill a Slim-Fast container with cookies, haha). Just wash with soap and water and then measure the height. Cut out a piece of wrapping paper and attach with glue or double sided tape. Fill with goodies, tie with a bow, and you've got a fantastic (and cheap) container!

Before:

After:

You can use this same method to decorate empty paint cans that you find at craft or hardware stores.

There are tons of super cheap options as well. You can get these little waxed paper bags in the grocery store. Punch two holes on the top and pop in a cute ribbon, or seal with a Christmas sticker. (And hopefully you'll have something more exciting than 4 oreos inside...)


Plain brown paper lunch bags are adorable the same way. Or fill mason jars with snacks, cookies, etc. You can dress up pretty much anything with some tissue and a cute ribbon.

And of course the finishing touch is a great tag! I took all of these pictures before we got to see Lolly's Tags, otherwise they would all have one! Click here to get your free tags!

We know we have talented and creative readers too. We'd love to hear your ideas! Please share in the comment section so everyone can hear!