the best things come in small packages…

I have quite a few birthdays in October – all friends –  and we give each other gifts that are modest in price about £5 to £8.  I usually find bits and pieces in some of the gift shops in Scotland and buy them as I see them and stash them away.

On Sunday I had a mammoth wrapping session it felt a bit like Christmas.  I like to make my modest gifts look tempting and I wrap them with care taking time to choose the paper and ribbons I think appropriate.  I often use printed tissue paper for those awkward shaped items.

I have one of those paper punch shape cutters that produces a tiny label.  I decorate these in different ways in this picture I have used some little rubber stamp pictures.  I also cut up cards for labels as it is such a shame to throw old birthday cards away.

I found the coffee coloured spotty paper in Sainsbury’s it comes on a roll and is good to keep on hand as it is useful for any occasion.

 

Here they are all ready to go with the appropriate cards.

It always feels good to have things organised and I feel quite pleased with myself that this month at least I won’t have to think about rushing around getting gifts and cards sorted out at the last minute.  Oh… if all my life was like this!

My little Treasure Trove…

When we were up in Scotland at our cottage over the bank holiday I went to all my favourite places in our nearby (only) town.  They are predominantly independent shops that have been there since my hubby was a wee lad.

In the stationers Moodys I bought old fashioned Cash books – I use these for my day to day shopping and tracking expenses…

and Sweet cases ready for Christmas when I hope to make some more chocolates for presents.  They have some pretty coloured ‘Christmassey’ foil ones and some stylish plain black paper ones.

From the hardware store Reids I found these clear Christmas craft stamps in the sale and thought I could probably use them to make some cards or gift tags – reduced from £11.50 to £4.  Too much of a bargain to pass over.

On the way back home we called at the Tebay motorway services and I found a book on Places for Afternoon Tea – just right for a stocking filler for mum or part of a food hamper for my little sis for Christmas.

I also found these grow your own Cosmos pouches which I thought would be lovely for my two friends birthdays in October.

And this beautiful paper which is quite thick like handmade –  I thought I would use it to make little present bags.

We also called at Tesco where I bought one of their cards for a £1  – I have so many September birthdays at work and I know I won’t get to make any cards at the moment. The special ‘This is a hug…’ card is for my colleague and best mate at work who goes in to have her mastectomy on Wednesday morning.All in all I arrived back home with a nice little treasure trove and felt extremely pleased with myself.

Is anyone else thinking about Christmas yet?  I generally use this period to gather bits and pieces together as I see them but try not to think about it too much until much nearer the time otherwise it would spoil being able to fully enjoy the Autumn season.