and here we are -

mary jane dodd

i can only speak for myself here, but i am guessing that many of you make gifts for your loved ones, for teachers, for friends or loved ones to give as gifts themselves, etc... 

and your gifts for giving? well, they get left until late in the game -

so here we are... 

i just wanted to talk a bit about how i package - it has taken me awhile to find what sings for me, but i did... 

i used to package in old jeans - the ones i couldn't donate... i still use the denim, but not for this... 

i love yogi tea - and once i noticed the inside of the box (immediately) i knew it was what i wanted to use...

open the flaps on each side and cut along the top of the back

now open it up and turn it over

gorgeous, right? how can this not be reused?

trim the box - make little tabs at the top of the long side 

(there is actually already one there, you just have 

to peel off the extra) and trim the flaps

save your cuttings! i use them for earring cards

you know the filler that comes in gift baskets? save it!

a little goes a long way and it makes a great cushion

fold in your tabs, then the sides one over the other and

viola!

get yourself some beautiful silk straw or sari ribbon

(this is the only new thing i use for these and mine comes

from lisa jurist

my thanks to the shop assistant who tirelessly watches 

day after day and keeps me on task

these are beautiful highlighted with some colored pencil - but there usually isn't time - i like to think that maybe the person receiving it will feel like they got a grown up coloring page!

and there are wonderful tags on the bags with beautiful sayings - i often tape one to the outside of a shipping envelope... 

enjoy this weekend - 

in the midst of rushing about (which i hope you don't have to do a lot of) take some breaths, treat yourself to a nice coffee or tea... 
(my favorite blend is one bag of yogi rejuvenation, one bag anti-oxidant, a bit of sugar in the raw and silk french vanilla creamer in one of these tea bowls - it is a nightly ritual i treasure.)

and if you can, shop local or fair trade - 

be well -