Paper Flower for Gifts

 

When you run out of gift wrapping paper, save money and use your creativity to awe your friends and family. This is such a simple technique that uses only construction paper, hemp, and a medium-sized brown paper bag. Once you try this thoughtful idea, you'll always look forward to gift-giving all throughout the year.

 

Materials:

•   Brown paper bag (any size depending on gift)
•   2 colored constructions paper
•   1 inch circular object (i.e water bottle cap)
•   Hemp
•   Pencil, scissor, glue

How to Make it:

1. To make the flower petals, trace 8 circles using a water bottle cap and cut them out. Pinch the end of one circle together with glue. Repeat with one more circle. Place each one on top of the other for a double petal. Cut the end off of the third petal to fit on top of the second petal and glue it together.  Hold in place until glue sets.
2. For the other side of the flower, use one circle to make the base of the flower. Glue it over the first petal. Continue Step 1. 
3. Fold the last two circles in half and glue one over the other. Cut the ends off to make a pointed triangle shape and glue it to the center of the flower.
4. To make the leaf, trace 1 circle on a green construction paper using a water bottle cap. Fold in half and glue one side on the gift wrapping paper.

Rice Krispies Lollipops

Special occasions always inspire creative creations in the kitchen or elsewhere. While I was planning my birthday celebration, I knew I was going to feel appreciative towards the people that showed up to my party. As a nice gesture, I wanted my guests to take home something special. The heart and circle shaped cookie cutters that I found lying in my mom's pantry was a fine discovery and the best tool to use when you don't want your hands to be doing 100% of the work.

Serves 25: 2 large boxes of rice krispies cereal, 4 bags of marshmallows, 2 sticks of butter.

I have grown very fond of microwavable chocolate chips. Due to many failed attempts to melt regular chocolate chips in a pot over boiling water, I needed a quick and simple alternative solution. Using a butter knife and small spoon, the melted white chocolate is spread over the heart-shaped rice krispies after a 2 minute cool down. I carefully dipped one side of the remaining circle-shaped rice krispies halfway into the melted milk chocolate and sprinkled finely chopped peanuts for an added crunch.

Skewers came in handy when making these treats resemble a lollipop. It is recommended to insert the skewers or lollipop sticks before refrigeration or else it would be tougher to get them in when it hardens.

I made a stop to the craft store and found candy wrappers to cover the finished treats. The candy wrappers came with wire twist-ties, which was useful and easy for unwrapping the treats. Lastly, ribbons are always a great touch to the complete look!