Beautifully Curated Gift Boxes
More than anything, I love to make gift boxes. Of course, I love to paint and bake and decorate, but making these custom boxes is at the top of my list. They’re beautiful, useful, and easy to make. You can go crazy with these, really. I pick up goodies all year round and stash them in a wardrobe in my bedroom. I have dish towels, candles, hair clips, vases…you name it. And you know the paper they wrap your candles in to protect them? I save all of that. You’ll see why in the tutorial below.
I always start any project with a theme. Cooking, baking, home, games, self-care, etc. Who is it for? What do they like? Sometimes I don’t know the theme until I see what I have. I take everything out of my wardrobe and pull like items or colors. Once you have everything laid out it’ll start to make sense. See how the Pampas Grass Box above has a neutral color scheme? The wooden beads, pearly marbleized hairclip, box with the caining inlay, and the pampas grass all work together to make a really beautiful gift box. Watch the video below to see exactly how I put it all together. I fluff and add butcher paper along the way to add height to some of the pieces.
Pampas Grass Box
The pampas box goodies
I use butcher or craft paper to crumple and stuff the boxes, but you can also use printer paper, paper towels, newspaper, etc.
Here are all the items and where to find them. Most of the pieces came from Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Target. Shocker!
The next box is one that I made with my boys in mind. Let’s call it the Biglin Boy Box.
Here’s where to find the Biglin Box goodies.
DISH TOWEL…HOMEGOODS
YETI…YETI.COM
GOODFELLOW BODY WASH…TARGET
THE CUTEST CERAMIC GNOME…PRETZELPRETZLE SHOP ON ETSY
HAND TOWELS…HOMEGOODS
PARKS PROJECT SOCKS…PARKSPROJECT.US
HARRY’S SHAVE CREAM…TARGET
HARRY’S POST SHAVE BALM…TARGET
LIZARD TAIL KEYCHAIN…LTBELTS.COM
WOOD AND AMBER CANDLE…HOMEGOODS
BAG BALM…HOMEGOODS
The frosted pine tree filler came from Target.
If you make a custom gift box, send me a pic. I’d love to see what you come up with!
Pumpkin Roll!
This is THE BEST pumpkin roll recipe! Thanks, mom! I make four for Thanksgiving every year, one to keep and three to take to dinner. I’m going to tell you now, I despise cinnamon…gag, so I leave it out, but you do you.
You can make the rolls ahead of time and freeze them. That way all you need to do is defrost and make the filling the day of.
PUMPKIN ROLL RECIPE
CAKE
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 eggs
2/3 cup pumpkin (You can get two rolls out of one can of pumpkin)
FILLING
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
2 tbs. butter (softened)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup confectioners sugar
Preheat the oven to 375
Mix sugar, eggs, pumpkin, and cinnamon.
Add flour and baking soda. Mix well.
Cover a 15x10 cookie sheet or jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Spray the parchment with non-stick cooking spray (spraying the edges is most important). Pour batter onto the parchment paper and smooth evenly with an offset spatula (you can also use a rubber scraper or spoon). Bake for 10-15 minutes. It bakes fast so set a timer for 10 and keep an eye on it.
Take it out of the oven and let it sit while you prep another clean sheet of parchment (you don’t need to spray it). Flip the cake onto the clean parchment and peel off the old one. Roll up the cake (in the parchment) while the cake is still warm. Pop the roll into the freezer. Chilling it helps create the “roll”. While that’s chilling, make the filling.
Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Add confectioners sugar and mix till fully incorporated and fluffy.
Defrost pumpkin roll, unroll it, and spread filling evenly covering the whole thing. Roll back up (minus the parchment) and put in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Sprinkle with conf. sugar before serving.
I’m making my pumpkin rolls this week and freezing them so all I have to do on Turkey Day is defrost and fill. Enjoy!