Well, dressing up a gift for the neighbors.
One of my neighbors had a birthday this last week. I wanted to gift her with something but not something that would just sit around the house and need dusting. Both she and her husband have health issues so I didn’t want to make or bake something that would be hazardous to their health, either. Not saying I’m a bad cook or anything like that but I couldn’t remember what things they need to stay away from – sugar, salt, fat, dairy, red meat – you get the picture. After thinking about it for a bit I hit on a gift idea – simmering potpourri. I did a search on Pinterest looking for a recipe or ideas that used things I had on hand and came across one that called for orange rind, apple peel, cloves and cinnamon sticks.
I just happened to have cloves and cinnamon sticks in my cupboard. I don’t always have apples and oranges sitting around but we had just picked up our order of apples and oranges from a local member of FFA (Future Farmers of America) who was selling them as a fund raiser (this is done yearly). How about that, everything I needed.
Now to package everything up nicely. I have a package of lunch-sized brown paper bags that I thought would work – okay, not the whole package of bags, just one. I didn’t want it to be naked, so I dressed it up with a bit with burlap, lace, and buttons, then added a sprig of evergreen (it was fake but it looked nice) and a bow. I added one of my snowflakes to it but in such a way as it can be taken off and put on their tree.
Instead of sending just orange rind and apple peels I put in a whole orange and a whole apple; dropped in a palm-full of cloves and several sticks of cinnamon. I printed out the directions and put it in the bag also.
I thought it came out nicely. It smelled good just sitting in the bag.
My neighbor really liked the gift and the bag it came it. I know they’ll like how it will make their house smell because I made some up for me, too. Can I say I helped dress up their house for the holidays, too?
“Remember, the greatest gift is not found in the store but in the hearts of true friends.”
That is the loveliest paper bag everM
A thoughtful and special gift!
Just beautiful love to use brown paper and tatting look so sweet, looks like you had fun with christmas!
You made a brown paper bag look brilliant, a lot of thought went into the bag. Well done
Margaret
What a truly thoughtful gift! I love potpourri simmers, too! (Who doesn't?) I recently came across a recipe that, in addition to the usual spices, calls for a handful of pine needles. I think I'll have to go out and collect some.
The decorated bag is really pretty, too. That's the sort of thing they can save and re-use.
Wonderful gift and great bag! Love that idea of the burlap and buttons, plus removable tatting, of course! You always come up with such neat ideas!