Gift Giving - Ideas to Impress!! Baby Shower, Bridal Shower, Favors etc.

This weekend is all about parties. 

why? because...i'm in a party mood! Yesterday i shared some inspirational baby shower themes! if you didn't check them out..here you go. they will make you want to throw a party for the random pregnant girl you meet in the grocery store. (i feel like when i'm pregnant i see so many pregnant girls...they come out of the woodwork! and we commiserate together in the store isle. or tell each other how good we look. haha. everone needs a pep talk!)

today is all about gift giving!

I love throwing parties almost as much as I like going to one!! But if you are asked to bring a gift...sometimes you don't have the time, energy or money to make it much of anything but a gift card!

 (not that there is anything wrong with that...but you could even spice up the giving of a gift card!)

here are some ideas to inspire you in adding personal touches to show the recipient you really put thought and care into your gift! 

*These ideas will save money...plenty of homemade gift ideas or simple but sweet packaging. 

*These ideas will save you time...no morewasting time standing in the store isle looking at a million gift ideas or in the craft isle trying to think of a cute way to package up something. Who has time to stand and think when you have a baby in the shopping cart trying to throw things at unsuspecting passerby's. seriously. (i personally can't think when sophia is going hi..hi..hiiiii..hi..hi... hi... to every person that walks by..and she won't stop until she they say hi back. and that only makes her pause and smile and then continue with the hi-ing!! ahhh!.....haha.)

1. How to tie a bow

photos via paper source.

Sweet Favor Idea

photo via martha stewart

Great as a favor (or even invitation!) All it takes is filling a shallow box with some old fashioned (or just plain pretty) candy, lay in some ornate paper and add some personalized labels to the candy and outside of the box. tie it up with string or a bow and you're done!

It's all in the details - Baby Shower Gift

i'm loving this gift idea... reminds me of a wedding gift i received.. a picnic basket filled with kitchen and picnic supplies! including a fabulous gourmet picnic cookbook that makes me feel fancy with just owning it! haha.

It's all about the details! tieing each gift up with a satin ribbon, stringing up the cut out animals with tiny wood clothespins. You wouldn't have to use such a big basket as this, ikea or target have great smaller options that can give you the same effect on a budget. isn't this adorable??? she did a fabulous job.

Custom Seed Packet and Matching Pot

such a fun idea. i'm definitely going to use this one! this idea could easily be customized to go along with any theme or party! click here for step by step instructions!

Gift Wrap Idea - Tea Towels!

photos via studio patro

i've seen wrapping gifts with fabric you have around the house...but this idea would be perfect if it goes with your gifts theme. instead of them opening up the gift and throwing away the wrapping paper they will be able to use it every day! clever clever. (you could even use a cute apron to wrap it up!)

Favor Idea - Potted Herbs

an easy inexpensive diy favor! i think they are so cute..i would try and come up with some kind of way to package 3 together or something. i think anyone would love these on their windowsill in their kitchen! i bet they smell yummy too. :)

DIY Diaper Cake

 
how cute is this?!?! i want to try this sometime. not sure if it would turn out this fabulous. hehe.

Tea Time!

this gift went along with a lemon theme..but you could customize it to fit any theme.

this is a great inexpensive option! If you were going to give it to just the bride you could do the same idea but have a set. 

Here's her price list for this gift idea:

Cardboard Gift Boxes $1.99 each

Coffee mug or tea cup $1.00 each

ribbon 1.00

assorted lemony teas $3.99 for a box of 12

Tissue paper $.99

Children's Party Favor

I love parties for kids..you can have so much fun with themes and the favor idea to go along with it! but one basic favor idea that works at kids parties, adult parties, wedding & shower favors is....the bag of candy. everyone likes to load up a cute bag full of yummy sweets. it's a given.
click here to get all the lovely details from this party.


Have any great gift ideas?? link them up!
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
We're enjoying having grandma and grandpa in town this weekend!! Going to have a picnic tomorrow while we watch ben play softball with our Church League! I'll be posting photos of course..because i'll be trigger happy with all of the sunshine-picnic-cuteness that will be going on. :)