{5 Days of Free Christmas Printables} Day Four - Printable Wrapping Paper

We're on day 4 of our holly, jolly 5 Days of Free Christmas Printables and today, we're highlighting some pretty amazing DIY printable Christmas wrapping paper.

Check out these designs, they're so cute, don't ya think?

Source: Clementine Creative

Source: The Ellie Blog

Source: The Lovely Drawer

Source: Mister Printables

Source: Craftaholics Anonymous

{5 Days of Free Christmas Printables} Day Three - Gift Tags Galore

Today's roundup of free Christmas printables are all about DIY gift tags! I'm never organized enough to print gift tags in advance - and almost always get stuck using ones from the Dollar store (boooo) but this year, maybe I'll treat a few pressies with some DIY love. Now if only I could make up my mind which one's I want to use . . . 

Do you print your own Christmas present gift tags?

Source: Creative Index Blog

Source: Three Little Monkey's Studio

Source: We Lived Happily Ever After

Source: Lia Griffith

{5 Days of Free Christmas Printables} Day Two: All About Chalkboard Prints

Today's fabulous roundup of free printables needs no explanation. After-all, who doesn't love a Chalkboard printable . . . especially Christmas themed ones?? Right. I didn't think you'd argue with us. Here a few Christmas chalkboard printables we're currently coveting (and most likely printing while you read this).

It's not too late to create your own photo Christmas card. Check these out from Becoming Martha, they're free and can be customized too!

Before you go to Dollarama to stock up on Christmas gift tags, consider these FREE ones from The Elli Blog.

Printable Chalkboard Gift Tags

The Cottage Market, Chalkboard Printables

These printable candy bar wrappers (done in chalkboard art of course) would be perfect in a Christmas stocking, or, to leave for Santa! 

Merry Christmas Candy Bar Wrappers

Some other great finds:

• Hot Chocolate Station 
• Free Chalk Board Sign Printable 
• Christmas M&M Poem
• Let It Snow Print

{5 Days of Free Christmas Printables} Day One - Photo Booth DIY

Think outside the box at this year's family Christmas feast. While every one is patiently waiting for the turkey to cook, have a photo booth set up with some fun props to help your guests pass the time.

Unoriginal Mom has some really cute printable props...and yes...they're free too!

Check it out here.

*All images courtesy of Unoriginal Mom

Weekend Links: DIY, Treats, Home Decor and Holiday Sass

With the Canadian (and American) Thanksgivings behind us, we're so happy we can finally embrace all things Christmas (without having any rotten tomatoes or leftover turkey thrown at us!). And while we know should probably check ourselves into a Pinterest Obsessed Anonymous group pronto, we couldn't resist sharing these amazing finds for this weekends edition of Weekend Links.

Here are 7 of our most favourite holiday finds on Pinterest this week.

14 of the Best Holiday Cookie Recipes

Wrapped in Style (via Sarah Richardson)

Rosemary Sprig Place Card Setting

DIY Christmas Stove-top Potpouri

Coffee Table Set Up by Fancy Shack

Starbucks Copycat Caramel Brulee Latte

Holiday Sass: Dress from ASOS

Happy Holidays

I just wanted to send out warm wishes for an amazing holiday season to our blog family. Christmas is my absolute favourite time of the year; I love the decorations, the food, the music, and especially spending time with friends and family.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,

and have a wonderful New Year!

Source: The Fancy Shack

'Tis the Season to be Jolly!

Here are some drool-worthy Christmas party decor ideas that I just had to share with you all. One of the reasons why I love this time of year so much is the ways in which people come together, celebrate, and spread happiness and joy. You can't help but feel the love as friends and family gather over the holiday season. I hope you enjoy this collection of festive entertaining ideas as much as I enjoyed putting them together.

Source: Celebrations at Home

Source: Half Baked - The Cake Blog

Source: Midwest Living

Source: HousetoHome

 Source: Pinterest

Source: Most Lovely Things

Source: Steve Giralt Photograher

Source:  The Inspired Room



Inspired Wrapping

With Christmas only 49 days away (so excited!), I've been thinking of unique gift wrapping ideas. I love beautifully wrapped packages, and often think that the invention of the gift bag is one of the worst ideas yet. Yes, I know, they are perfect for those oddly shapped gifts, or presents that do not come with a box, but it saddens me to think that people just don't take the time to "wrap" their presents nowadays.

Anyways, here are some pictures of beautiful gifts that I hope will inspire each of you to get creative this coming holiday season.





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Happy Holidays From Our Family to Yours

Wordless Wednesday: A Candy Coated Christmas

{Photo's Courtesy of Celebrations at Home Blog}

Christmas Party Flair

Who says candy is just for kids? At your next Christmas dinner party or potluck, surprise guests with a sweet table you would have died for, when you were in kindergarten!



{Photo Source: The Simply Creative Insanity Blog}



We love this great idea from the Simply Creative Insanity blog. Yes she created this spread for her daughter's kindergarten class but who says an adult party has to be all linens and lace? Chanel your inner child and get inspired by these delicious ideas.

What are some of your favourite holiday inspiration boards?

A Little Inspiration for a Christmas Themed Wedding

Winter weddings are all the rage these days and with Christmas just around the corner (nearly 40 days away) we thought it would be fun to brainstorm ideas for Christmas themed weddings. From decor, to apparel, we have a few ideas up our sleeve we think you'll love.

{Photo Source}

• Who says you have to wear white to your own wedding? Change the rules and wear a gown in a cranberry colour or stick to the traditional white and punch it up with red, gold or silver accessories.
• Carry a faux fur muff rather than a traditional floral bouquet
• Bridesmaids can all wear white with red accents, think shoes, accessories, a sash on their dress, red lips, hair accessories
• Incorporate sprigs of holly into your bouquet's and/or centre pieces
• Decorate your venue with tall Christmas trees lit up with tiny white lights, wrap all the favors and place them under the trees for your guests
• You can never go wrong with candles. Instead of using the classic clear votive holders, think about using gold or red (depending on your colour theme)
• What's a Christmas or winter wedding theme without a horse drawn carriage or sleigh?
•  Serve traditional Christmas drinks at your event such as eggnog or mulled apple cider with cinnamon sticks and for the children, offer hot chocolate complete with mini marshmallows

Wordless Wednesday: Simply Elegant Holiday Decor

{Photo Source}

Happy Holidays from Simply Sophisticated Events

Festive Holiday Treat Your Guests Will Love!

Whether you're celebrating Christmas, or another holiday, or, just the fact that it's winter, we've cooked up a yummy idea for you to serve to your guests!

Penelope at MyPunchBowl.com had such a great idea, we just had to share it. Penelope suggests serving a hot cocoa bar at your next event.

A what?

A hot cocoa bar is exactly what it sounds like. Think create your own sundae meets hot cocoa! Guests can whip up their own mug of steaming, hot cocoa using their favourite toppings.

Try setting up a table with cool, festive mugs and a hot carafe or two (or three!) of hot cocoa. Hot chocolate isn't complete with toppers such as marsh mallows, flavoured syrups, whipped cream or Cinnamon sticks so make sure to have some of your favourite treats served up along side the hot treat so your guests can top their mugs with something of their choice. Just like a make your own sundae, we're certain the make your own cocoa is sure to be a hit.

Is your party less PG 13 and more 19 and over (in Canada)? Try having some yummy adult treats like Baileys, peppermint liquors and so on for an extra punch.

A hot cocoa bar is a delicious way to keep your guests feeling warm, toasty and festive. Whether you serve it at your Christmas, New Years or other holiday party, or, serve it at your Winter Wonderland themed wedding, we're sure your guests will appreciate the uniqueness and thoughtfulness of this fabulous idea!

For more information about creating your own hot cocoa bar visit MyPunchBowl.com.

*Photo Source: www.mypunchbowl.com

Wordless Wednesday: Elegant Christmas Décor

Photo Source: HGTV - Winter White Decorating Ideas

Office Christmas Parties: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

We've all been there - the office Christmas party. Some offices have a lunch, some have blowout bashes for employees and spouses, and some have midweek parties for just the employees.

We've seen it all from quiet affairs, to live entertainment, to mimicking Dancing With the Stars competitions but, if you're still looking for ideas you've come to the right place - we have some some party ideas for all you social committee members out there!

Not planning a party but want a little Office Party Etiquette refresher? Scroll down for our tips on how to have fun but still be professional. It's hard to believe we know, but you can still have fun and still remember what happened the day after!

Office Party Ideas

• Host an in-office pot luck lunch and let the staff go home early that day.
• Whether your party is in a restaurant, a hall or in the office, plan some cool door prizes to giveaway to your staff, they'll really appreciate a neat freebie.
• Have a party theme and change it up each year. Our favourites are: winter galas, winter wonderland, white Christmas, Christmas carnival, Chevy Chase's Christmas theme, movie themed....the options are endless!
• Use a free service such as Evite.com to send your invitations - it makes tracking RSVP's a cinch.
  
• No party is complete without music. Whether you hire a DJ or create you own play list, it would be a fun way to get the staff involved in music selections. Ask employees to e-mail their favourite songs and create your own play list that everyone will enjoy!
• Last but not the least; have a small gift or party favor for every invited person, as a memento of the night.

Office Party Etiquette: We're all for getting jiggy with it at the office Christmas party but just to stay on the safe side, here are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind before you break out the Tequila shots:

• Don't pass on the invitation to the party, it could hurt your reputation. Instead, stay for the dinner and maybe opt out of the dancing (if it's in a restaurant or hall).
  
• Ladies: Cover up the girls - although it's a social function, this time around the girls aren't invited to play! Remember if you wouldn't wear it to the office, then it should probably stay in the closet.
  
• Remember that even though this is a social event, it's still technically a business event. Maybe skip dancing on the speakers tonight!
• Always conduct yourself in a professional manner, the office party shouldn't be a time to blow off steam and complain about how much you hate your job. It's the only night of the year where you can enjoy each others company so make the most of it and get to know your coworkers.
• Remember what you learned in kindergarten: keep your hands to yourself. Grinding on the dance floor, (think Red Red Wine by UB40) grabbing, or pinching of other people's body parts is probably not a good idea. We know, the guy in the photo copy room is a hunk, maybe admire him from afar this time ok?
• That reminds us, stay away from the Mistletoe . . . no one's going to buy that you "accidentally" bumped into copy boy's lips!
  
• And last but not least, never drink and drive.

We hope you enjoyed our party ideas and etiquette tips. If you have suggestions we'd love to hear them, be sure to leave your comments for us and your fellow readers to weigh in on your ideas.

Photo Source: www.classesandcareers.com

Wordless Wednesday: Cozy Christmas Decor

Photo Source: HGTV.com