Monday, March 02, 2015

Handmade Birthday Gift: Tea Party Kit


Time for another handmade birthday gift idea! Our sweet friend invited both of our girls over for her birthday and I wanted to make something special that she would enjoy.

This little tea party kit was born! The container is one of those spring mix lettuce boxes with the lid cut off. I laid a piece of wrapping paper inside so it would show through and taped a piece of lace around the outside of the box.








Inside, is a little berry box with muffin papers, napkins, straws, teas and a fun spoon. There is a muffin mix and a homemade apron from all things I had on hand. I bought the muffin mix and the spoons but will save the other spoons for future gifts. I also thought of including a cd of lovely tea party music; I will add this if I have time. Total for this gift: less than $5.

I did not use a pattern for the apron, just sort of eyeballed everything. I had seen several of these ruffly aprons on Pinterest and that was sort of my visual inspiration. The base of the apron is leftover canvas drop cloth from our couch slip covers. But you can't see any of it since it is all covered up with pretties. I like the drop cloth because it definitely gives the fabric some extra substance and weight it would not otherwise have.







My girls keep exclaiming over it - so I hope our friend enjoys it too!!! Love that we were able to use what we have and add creativity and love to come up with this! Disclaimer: I hesitate to admit how much time the apron took me {a few hours} as I am trying to use what I have - I realize there is a balance between monetary value and my time value. But, there is also value in giving something made with love and thoughtfulness. How do you decide when to make and when to buy? What are your go-to homemade birthday gift ideas?


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love all of your handmade, homemade posts! They tend to be my favorites. :-) You did a great job!

- Michelle

Shelby said...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea. I much prefer homemade gifts than store bought. Your gift is gift giving for sure. I would love to be the little girl on the receiving end and I'm sure she will love it. I'm not good at sewing although one day I plan on learning. So if I give homemade it is usually gift card to someplace I think they will like and I try to add in some other fun items like a cool coffee mug, movie tickets with popcorn and other treats. Shelby

This idea it defiantly over the top:)

Shelby said...

I love, love, love this swoony idea. I would love to be the little on the receiving end. You are so gifted with gift giving. I love it. I can't sew or haven't really tried:( So my gift giving is a gift card and some other fun items with the gift card theme.

This idea is way cool and definitely over the top:))))

angie said...

I must say that, when I have a cute container in hand, it is hard for me to trash/recycle it. This weekend, I went to a women's retreat and the lunches were provided in a white bakery style boxes. The lid collapsed onto the box and tabs tucked into the side. I wanted to take hundreds of them home with me! Alas, it is not a season of life for me to have extra stuff to store.
Our favorite handmade birthday gifts are decorated clipboards, personalized lap/activity trays, heirloom birthday banners (for babies), and assembled by us craft kits.
Time is usually a factor in deciding whether or not to make or buy a gift. Also, I know some recipients will appreciate one over another. If it is a child whose birthday party we have been invited to multiple times, we sometimes give an experience as a gift. It allows my child and the recipient to have some quality time together.

Julian said...

I love your idea especially since you used things you had on hand! I keep a box of ribbons, wrapping, etc. I just made a friend homemade white chocolate Nutella truffles from pinterest for part of her birthday present. I have heard of people who keep a gift closet .When they see something on sale, or at a thrift shop, they stock up, so when a birthday comes around, they can go to the closet and pull something out.
Christina

Blissful & Domestic said...

What a beautiful and thoughtful gift. I am thinking I need to make one of those aprons for myself:) I think homemade is always one of my favorite ways to go with gift giving. Yes sometimes it can take a bit longer, but so much love and thought goes into those handmade creations. What a beautiful job Monica! :) Have a blessed day!

Anonymous said...

Very cute idea! I might have to "steal" it from you….LOL I usually buy Birthday gifts and make Christmas gifts.

Coleen

Simply Quaint said...

I truly love giving handmade gifts and most all gifts given are that... I think this is a wonderful gift set you have done and the apron is beautiful your girls must be proud to have a mama so thoughtful......
Blessings
Rhonda

Ginger said...

Monica, personally I adore this! I love how you repurposed a nonrecyclable salad container, too. I would rather have this gift that cost $5 or less than a $10 bought gift.

Elise said...

How cute is this!?!?! I love to give handmade, but it really depends on my time, who the person is(horrible, possibly), and whether or not I can find my stitchery witchery on a given day! :) Love all the sweet touches on this! Those tags! And you know I love that yarn!

Mom said...

Very cute and fun! :)