What if I told you that the same box could be created for half or even a third of the price? All you need is the right packaging (ahem!) and a little help in the curation department (ahem, ahem!).
Below I've taken inspiration from a (very) high end "artisan" gifting company that I admire very much.
The contents of their gender neutral Mom-To-Be gift are a bunny lovey, a teething ring, a swaddle blanket, a baby tracking journal and bath salts for mom. Rounding out the gift is packaging that includes a box, fill, a ribbon, gift tag and some greenery. It retails for $167, plus tax.
Below I've curated a very similar gift collection of Amazon products (affliate links below). They're all affordable versions of high end products, design foward, and highly rated in the reviews. I did switch up a few items: I've added a second teething ring and darling bandana bib and removed the baby tracking journal (blah!). The gifts total $52, before tax.
I am an Amazon Associate and these are affiliate links to Amazon products.
Now all you need is the packaging! That's where I come in. With Castleberry Hill's luxurious tags, ribbons and boxes, we can give these gifts the packaging they deserve.
Wooden teething rings
Bunny Lovey
Muslin Blanket (in ABC pattern)
Bath soak for Mom
The most adorable bandana bib (in olive)
Here is the final product, which I gifted to my sweet neighbor when her son was born a few months ago.
Just reach out via Etsy if you want the printable file for this gifting suite!
]]>Labeling a bottle is both harder and easier than it looks.
Let's start with the hard part: getting the right size label. It's crucial and high stakes. If you order the wrong size label, it's gonna be pretty tough to salvage the project. Luckily, there is an easy fix to finding the right size. All it takes is the bottle itself, a slip of paper, scissors, and a ruler (tape measurers will work!). Eyeballing the bottle, cut the slip of paper to the sizes you're considering for the label and hold it up to the bottle to see what fits. If the piece of paper doesn't fit, puckers, or doesn't lay flat, neither will the label! This simple fix is so low tech, but it really helps visualize fit when you don't have the labels in hand.
Most full size bottles will need around a 3.75 by 4 inch label. Mini champs usually take a 2 inch square or 2 by 3.5 inch label. But bottles come in all shapes and sizes, and I really encourage measuring before ordering. And if you're planning to dunk these in ice, definitely go for the vinyl upgrade! The standard glossy can withstand refrigeration and condensation, but will start to peel if fully submerged. The vinyl, though, will hold up to even a run through the dishwasher! That stuff is amazingly tough!
Once you have the labels, it's time to prep the bottles. I do recommend removing the existing label. If you don't, the shape of the original label can show through, which isn't ideal. (I will admit, though, when in a rush, I have skipped this step.) Most labels will come off with a little soap, water and scrubbing. If you have a stubborn label, soaking it for 1-2 hours will definitely loosen things up. Be sure to fully dry the bottle before the next step.
Now for the easy part! It's simply: peel, stick, done! If you have bubbles or puckers on the label, simply run your fingertips over the label until they smooth out. For a finishing touch, add a matching ribbon if that's the look you're going for.
This measuring method isn't just for bottles! It can work for any surface you're wanting to label. While a slip of paper will do, I've also created a sizing guide printable of my most common sizes that you can use. Simply print out the document (be sure to select 'Scale: 100%' or 'Actual Size'), cut out the size label you're considering and lay it against the surface of the bag, box, basket, or bottle you're labeling.
Finding the right size label is crucial! Castleberry Hill is here to help!!
]]>While we're at it, let's add flowers to this list. May sound like a no brainer, right? But, tell me, when was the last time you received flowers from someone other than your beau? (Or boo, the choice is yours.)
And they can be a steal, too! Trader Joe's tulips, for example, are a mere $5.99 most days. Come to me, my beauties! That's a lot of present power for under $6!
But (pro tip alert, take notes) puuuullease do not hand over said flowers in the sad, crinkly cello wrap that they come packaged in. You can do better. I'm here to help.
All it takes is a little gift wrap or kraft paper (or even an inside out grocery bag). Cut the paper 2 two feet long and about 2-3 inches shorter than the flowers are long. Place the flowers on the short end of the paper, with tips of blooms sticking just slightly above the top and ROLL those babies up. Secure the loose end with tape. THAT'S IT! Voila, $6 grocery store flowers now look like a million bucks.
Side note: if you're really an overachiever (recommended!), you can secure the loose end with a 3-4 inch personalized sticker with your name, or the name of the giftee. But, that's just gravy.
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]]>Among the cool things about limoncello (there are so MANY!) are the beautiful bottles it's displayed in. Classic tall and skinny bottles, large and round wine bottles, fat and squat mason jars, and mini travel-sized bottles, I love the variety! But it can make labeling your limoncello a challenge!
It's projects like homemade limoncello and those cool glass bottles that I live for. I offer my designs in dozens of sizes and never mind reformatting to fit your jar. Take a look at my list of sizes and see if you can't find the perfect shape for your project.
Good news! The same goes for homemade jam, and honey, and olive oil, and apple butter, and pie, and spices, and hot sauce, and salsa, and wine, and guacamole, and arancello, and vanilla, and ...
]]>Actually, no. But I do have a soft spot in my heart for a good valentine pun and the valentine section of my shop is filled with them.
Bonus: history is on my side. There is a long tradition of vintage valentines that are simply filled with the worst (best!) puns you'll ever find. Take a look at these beauties from the early to mid 20th century. Swoon!
If you're like me and find these more punny than punishing, check out this genius collection of vintage valentines from Flicker user ValArt2008. So much pun!
]]>Bonus: It's usually included in the cost of your tags. (Typesetting fees may apply for complicated text, such as recipes.)
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A few of them, like the buffalo plaid initial stickers shown here, are also completely individualized. What do I mean by this? You can order a set of 12 stickers and have them printed with up to four different names or initials, perfect for labeling individual presents and keeping all your gifts straight on the big day. Bonus: you look like you're one pulled-together gifter with custom printed stickers or tags for everyone on your list! (I mean, seriously!?)
And what's easier than stickers? Easy, plus custom, plus Christmas, does is get better?
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Just browse the welcome label designs in the shop, purchase the bundle that matches your needs, and let me know which design you're interested in at checkout. I send digital proofs 3 business days after you order so you can approve the designs before I print.
Shop bundles and wow your out-of-town guests with a perfectly pulled together welcome gift!
]]>After the lush florals, gorgeous hand lettering, and romantic palettes of the last few years, I can't tell you how much I love a wedding that opts all-in for clean and modern design. From the monochromatic color scheme, to the bare bones typeface, to the "just the facts, ma'am" text, the overall look of these favor labels is a breath of fresh air. This design, which started out as a custom order from Gracie (thank you for the inspiration, Gracie!), I think just might be a harbinger of things to come in wedding paper design in 2018.
*fingers crossed* A girl can hope, right?
]]>I'm simply in love with this look, which has been cropping up on textiles, notebooks, and even Keds shoes lately. These colorful blooms pack a big personality punch while still being completely romantic and feminine, much like many of the women I admire. The perfect inspiration for a bridal luncheon or a wedding welcome basket, I can't wait to see these sprouting up on wedding stationery.
]]>The best thing about these labels is they are incredibly flexible for adding your personalized message, opening up your creative options to really show your guests your personality. Contrary to conventional wisdom, everyone loves a good pun (especially when it's accompanied by pie!).
The rich, saturated results I've been getting on these labels make them the perfect way to inject a splash of color into your event. I just can't say enough about this new product!
Shop this look in skinny wrap labels.
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