Swoot tip #2 ~Gifting Continued

Attention last minute gifters.....here's  the second part of yesterday's Swoot Tip and a supportive way to reduce the amount of waste generated this holiday. I gathered up some super cool latte mugs this summer. I confess, I did think about keeping a couple for myself.....and decided that I have plenty of mugs to suit our needs. As a result of having fewer dishes there's less to clean and my children have now followed my lead in the idea of multipurpose dishes. For example, tea cups are perfect for a little scoop of ice cream, coffee mugs work brilliantly for soups and cereal containers and water does taste better out of mason jars!

That's not what this post is about though. I wanted to share this fancy and fast gift idea. This would make a great hostess gift as well so consider this for New Year's Celebrations, birthdays, or just to be a thoughtful friend. 

I placed three different kinds of teas in the bowl, added a fancy little tissue pack and tied up with ribbon. The cup is the package so the only throw-away are the tea bags and tissues. (To amend the waste factor, fetch loose tea and put in into a delightful jelly jar and/or give cloth hankies instead.)A jar of flavored honey or even home crafted soup mix could be added in lieu of tea. And what of the ribbon? It could be used for a future gift, tied into smaller ribbons on a wreath, used as a book mark, added to art journals or card making projects.

And the best gift of all is really YOU! Your love, presence, support, and joy! Thanks for you sharing yours with me, thanks for taking the time to read the  Swoot Blog! Merry Christmast

Swoot Tip #1---use what you have Christmas tree decorating

I have a confession: I'm not all that into tree timing. I loathe hauling in a live tree and I even more loathe hauling the darned thing out! {I do look forward to the bonfire and shots in January but that's really about it when it comes Christmas trees.} Don't get me wrong here, I LOVE trees. I am happy to be called a "tree hugger" by friends and family because there's nothing I enjoy more than to smell pine trees, first thing in the morning. That's heaven to me. I just want them outside….not in my dwelling.

I enjoy the spirit of Christmas. This is the only time of year that I welcome the cold and pray for soft, sparkly snow. After the 31st, I'm done with winter. DONE.

I found this little blue jewel last year and though it goes against my "buy less" vibe, I knew I loved it and I knew I'd use it for many years to come. Alright, here is another confession; I bought the red one too…….I just couldn't decide! My justification is that they were both little and fit in one box. I keep the blue one up during January and place my Snow Baby pieces given to me by my Aunt Audrey and Grandma Ruth.  The red tinsel tree comes has hearts on it for Valentine's day.

 I've had a "champagne" colored one that I fell in louvre with a couple of years ago. It stands in a corner in my living room.  The decorations for it include a bright purple ribbon and pheasant feathers stashed about the branches. I wrap a turquoise scarf around the bottom,  and upon a vintage wooden sled I sit a teddy bear crafted by my Grandma Ruth.

Tonight I had a {strange} burst of energy and decided that the blue tree should go in my bedroom. My colors are blue and green, as in peacock. I'd thought about waiting until ornaments go on sale after the holiday and then…..I had a stoke of genius (it happens sometimes when I least expect it and usually when I need to be sleeping). I had the insight to use earrings! I've been a long time "feather fan" and use them to decorate packages, fill mason jars, mark book pages and paint with. Tonight, I remembered I had some great earrings AND the wires were already there! I also added a hair clip, seen in the center, as well as found acorns. I also added two long feathers that Pryce and I grabbed this summer and then wrapped a couple of big scarves around the bottom and on the table. I think it turned out pretty neat!

Consequently my bedroom is my "lair". I spend more time in here with my faux fire place (Sunheat heater) reading materials, tea and Smart Wool socks. So now, when I look up, I see my cute little blue tree.  What I'm most excited about is the dual use of materials, not spending any hard earned dough and perhaps best of all, I don't have to find extra storage for ornaments that I really don't need and only use one time of year.

Okay, well I'm no Martha Stewart and this isn't likely going to be put on the cover of Country Living or even make a Pintrest pin but hey, you get the idea! For those uber-crafy people out there that can take an idea and make it look awesome……….use what you have and earrings make great ornaments! 

Happy Decorating!