You guys, I just love the holiday season. My home is filled with festive smells. Twinkle lights shine from my porches. Favorite ornaments adorn the limbs of our trees. And all of this comes together to just make me happy.
It stands to reason that because I’m in such a festive mood, I want to pass on some of the holiday joy and while there are many ways I can do this with Hallmark items, my favorite gifts (of course) involve food. This year I decided I wanted to step up my game with delicious delights, gorgeous presentations and of course presents that prove the way to brighten up someone’s holiday spirit is definitely through their stomach.
To get started I needed some inspiration though. While I had visions of sugar plums dancing in my head, I needed some ideas to get started on my festive creations. And while I knew I wanted to go semi-homemade, let’s just say that the craziness of the holiday season calls for a few shortcuts. So, ready to get started I headed to my local Hallmark Gold Crown store.
Once there I was met with sparkle, shine and of course sweetness. Every where I looked, the store seemed to gleam in the colors of the season. From greeting cards that are perfect any occasion to gift ideas big and small to sweet treats that were the perfect starting point for all of my gifting fun, I had found the inspiration I had been searching for.
As I walked up and down the aisles, I wondered how I could take all these beautiful ideas and give them my own special twist in order to truly give the greatest gifts of the holiday season. And then an idea struck me. From friends to neighbors to the teachers who so lovingly spend time with my boys, I knew that I could take a few Hallmark items and transform them into gifts that would truly be unforgettable.
After picking up a tin of peppermint bark, a box of gourmet pretzels, an adorable mug and of course some sparkle and shine in the form of tags and bows, I headed home to turn these amazing items into gifts that would outshine even my stunning decorations.
I had two ideas in mind based on the the items I had found. One was super simple while the other was a little more complex. But I knew in these two gifts, I had something to give everyone on my holiday list. I started with simple and went straight for my mug and gourmet pretzels.
Putting together this gift took less than five minutes and simply involved opening my box of pretzels.
Next I placed a large piece of plastic wrap in the mug to nestle my pretzels in and tied a beautiful piece of red ribbon on the top for a look that was festive and sweet.
After tying on a sparkly tag to complete the look, I had a gift that was perfect for teachers and even better for when I unexpectedly needed something amazing to gift.
With my simple gift out of the way, I moved onto something that was slightly more difficult but stunningly impressive.
Inspired by my Peppermint Bark that came in a beautiful tin, I decided to whip up a batch of Peppermint Bark brownies.
Now, I know you’re all types of impressed but these really aren’t that hard! In fact, I even surprised myself with the ability to create this amazing semi-homemade gift. Let me show you a little more.
Once I had whipped up my Peppermint Bark Brownies and placed them back into my festive Hallmark tin, all I had to do was tie some sparkly ribbon around it, add a bow to the top and finish it with another one of my tags.
Instantly I had a gift that I knew anyone would want to receive. It was beautiful, festive and above all delicious!
And to think that both of these amazing gifting ideas that mean so much to everyone who receives them started with a trip to my local Hallmark Gold Crown Store!
This holiday season, let inspiration lead you to the perfect gift for everyone in your life. Start with a trip to Hallmark and then see how you can use their amazing selection as the perfect inspiration to start, complete and gift amazing items in a fabulous new way!
Now that I’ve shared how I’m creating semi-homemade gifts for friend and family, tell me what Hallmark items you would love to give or receive this holiday season!
The post Peppermint Bark Brownie Recipe & other Hallmark Inspired Gift Ideas appeared first on The Adventures of J-Man and Millerbug.