Throughout the year we all experience a range of emotions and circumstances. Sometimes, or often, we make mistakes and have to apologize or pick ourselves back up, again. It's amazing how much can change in one year. You can move, change jobs, get married, leave a relationship, start a new one, take a vacation, get a dog, etc. Sometimes, even your groups of friends change. But the holidays are about love, gathering with friends and family, and reconnecting with those people who maybe fell out of your lives.
I have a friend like that. One who I am so close to, but for one reason or another, we have lost contact. Sometimes it's ok to lose contact with someone, if they're not one who makes you a better person. But this isn't the case. This is one where I need to take the holidays as an opportunity to reconnect and bring them back into my life.
To break the ice and let this friend know I'm thinking about them, I decided to put together this little gift box. The theme for this gift is "Stay Warm & Cozy", because all of the pieces to this gift, that I purchased at Target, will keep their family warm and cozy during the colder months. I was sure to include a few items that they could snack and sip on while they're staying inside on these cold winter nights; including- Swiss Miss hot chocolate, Reddi-Wip, Orville Redenbacher's popcorn, and some Slim Jim Jerkey (follow each of those links for a 30% off Carwheel offer valid 11/26-11/28). Perfect items to keep you warm, plus they cover the basics- sweet, salty, and savory.
To put this gift together here is what you'll need:
A box, basket, or crate
Linen to line your box with
Tissue Paper to fill the extra spaces
Pinecones- I chose the cinnamon kind so that the gift experience starts as soon as they smell them
A blanket, rolled and tied with a ribbon
Socks for each member of the family
A homemade touch- I chose to make a Mason Jar Candle. Instructions are below...
Swiss Miss hot chocolate
Reddi-Wip
Orville Redenbacher's popcorn
Slim Jim jerkey
Line your box with the linen to keep everything dry and warm. Add your blanket as it needs the most space, then start to arrange the other items. I stuffed some tissue paper in the bottom so that things wouldn't get lost and everything could be seen. Top it off with your cinnamon pinecones so that as soon as your recipient opens the door, they are greeted with the smell of the holidays.
Now for the candle DIY. Turns out, it's pretty easy! You'll need...
Mason Jar
Block of Wax
Knife
Cutting Board
Candle Melting Bags
Pot
Hot Glue Gun
Wick
Liquid Measuring Bowl w/ a pour spout
Pencil
Tape
Essential Oils for fragrance
First, fill your pot about half way with water and bring to a boil. While the water is warming, place your wax on a cutting board and cut it into chunks. (unless yours fits into the bag and pot without this step) Place the wax into the melting bag and secure it. Once the water has begun to boil, place the bag into the pot. Let it sit on about medium-high until all of the wax is melted.
While that is working, use your hot glue gun to glue the wick to the bottom of the mason jar. Then secure the wick to a pencil and place the pencil across the mouth of the jar. This will keep the wick from falling into the wax before it solidifies. When your wax has melted, place the bag in your liquid measuring bowl and quickly add your essential oils for scent.
Pour the wax out of the bag and into the bowl, then pour it into the mason jar, avoiding the pencil, until it reaches the top. Quickly wipe out the bowl so that it doesn't get ruined from the wax (do not pour the wax down the drain)! Leave the pencil in place while the wax solidifies, you don't want the wick to move around. Once it has cooled, trim the wick to about half an inch above the candle, place the lid on, and gift!
Note: it will take quite while (hours) to cool. Leave it alone so that you don't cause the wax to fall or shift.
Now you've got a gift that's ready to go to it's new home and it has something for everyone; including a personalized and homemade touch from you. Bonus, you can visit your local Target the weekend after Thanksgiving to sample a cup of Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate! What a perfect way to do some holiday shopping.
What would you put into your gift box and who would you gift it to?