These cut paper place cards / drink tags from Etsy shop JonNI Paper and Decorative Art are such a fun, creative way to dress up glasses and bottles!

The “LOVE” (available in Leaf, Bird, or Heart) and XOXO designs (pictured below) are perfect for weddings, bridal/engagement showers and Valentine’s Day… how cute would the bird version be for a Love Birds theme?!

Hosting friends & family for Thanksgiving? Check out these fantastic Turkey Place Cards:

Or maybe a New Year’s party is more your style? How about some cool & contemporary “2010″ Tags… perfect for bottles or party favors!

Seal it with a kiss… and a hug! Hugs & Kisses favor/bottle tags:

CHEERS!

“Treat Cones” are such a fun way to display candy & other goodies at a party. They’re easy to make and can be tailored to pretty much any party theme or color palette, so the sky’s the limit on the style!

The cones pictured here are from a French Circus-themed baby shower that I styled last month. We used zebra-striped wrapping paper, Crunch ‘n Munch (yum!), bright yellow Banana Heads Candy, and 6.75″ black and white shallow vases for these particular displays, but you can apply the same basic concept to any theme you like…

Here are the DIY details:

*****

You’ll Need:
gift wrap or other decorative paper
lollipop sticks
craft styrofoam sheets – approx 1″ thick
shallow tray or vase/container
candy/treats for the cones
candy/treats to cover the styrofoam
tape, glue stick & scissors

DIRECTIONS:

For the Paper Cones:
1. Download or create a template for the cones. (You can download the one we used here. It makes 5″ cones.)
2. Trace the cone template onto the paper, then trim out. Repeat as many times as you need.
3. Roll the trimmed paper into a cone shape, making sure there’s enough of a hole left in the bottom of the cone for the lollipop stick. Secure the cone shape with a piece of tape on the inside, and use the glue stick to make the outer edge lie flat.

For the Party Display:
1. Cut a piece of the styrofoam sheet to fit securely within your tray or vase/container.
2. Place the styrofoam in the container, then insert the lollipop sticks into the foam, leaving a few inches in between the sticks to make room for the cones. (You can insert the sticks in neat rows or in a random configuration – whichever you prefer!)
3. Pour candy or popcorn on top of the styrofoam until it is completely covered.
4. Fill each paper cone with candy, popcorn, or another treat, then slide them onto the lollipop sticks.

*****

Here’s a peek at our treat cones “in action” at the French Circus baby shower. They sat at different levels on the “dress” of the Dessert “Table Lady” that caterer The Party Goddess dreamed up!

P.S. Stay tuned this week & next for lots more DIY details from this French Circus party!

As a sugar-lover with a soft spot for a good cause, the pairing of these 2 attributes in a venture always seems especially sweet! For example…

The Flour Pot – an adorable cookie boutique – has teamed up with Alex’s Lemonade Stand – a foundation working to aid in the fight against childhood cancer – on this adorable lemon cookie gift set. ($25/set of 6)  Each set features 6 individually wrapped lemon shaped cookies, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each box is donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

The bright, sunny yellow color of these treats makes them a great summer hostess or thank you gift… but they’d also be great as party favors for a citrus or yellow themed baby shower or bridal shower! Each cookie is individually wrapped and tied up with a bow, so the party favor prep work is already done for you!

To learn more about Alex’s Lemonade Stand, visit www.alexslemonade.org.

This week’s Surprise Giveaway could come in handy for so many people… especially if you or a friend has a wedding, bridal shower, bachelorette party, baby shower, or birthday party coming up!

Moments of Elegance is offering up a $100 Shopping Spree towards anything on their site – which includes stylish party favors, favor packaging, personalized gifts, and more. There’s even an entire Holiday section with cool finds like Glitter Snowflake Favor Boxes and Merry Martini Bath Salts!

There are so many different types and styles of products to choose from that it was honestly hard to narrow down what to feature in this post, but a few favorites are pictured above and below. (I especially love the “She’s about to Pop!” favors for a circus or “Big Top” themed baby shower.)

Moments of Elegance does have lots of Edible Favors, but those 2 scrumptious looking treats pictured above are actually all-natural mini soaps that come in several different flavors! And the “Hot Off the Grill!” favors/place card holders were way too cute not to include. =)

*****

HOW TO ENTER:

• Post a comment here telling us which product(s) from the Moments of Elegance website you especially like – or would love to get if you win.

• Giveaway ends Tuesday, August 4th at midnight PST. Winner is chosen randomly and will be notified Wednesday, August 5th and announced here as soon as they accept the prize. Good luck!!

Etsy is such a great place to look for unique embellishments for your party! The Stock Paper Scissors shop is another great example. They offer adorable cupcake toppers/favor tags, coordinating banners/party hats (all custom), mini notecard sets (great for party favors!) and more great stuff.

I’m especially loving this fun Monster Mania design… and thinking they would be super cute for an Ugly Doll themed party!

Picture at top: Pink Dots & Birds cupcake toppers/party favor tags. Pictured below: cupcake-themed Birthday Party toppers/favors:

Stock Paper Scissors also carries a wide variety of cute hang tags/gift tags for all sorts of occasions. A few are pictured below – check them all out here.

Looking for a unique party favor idea? With designs ranging from “Enlightened Desserts” to “Sushi” to “Savory Foods“, these tiny, japanese-inspired erasers are sure to stand out!

More favorites pictured below, like this pretty Tea Ceremony Set featuring Mocci, Matcha, Manju, Delicacy, and Pancakes:

These little Animal Party critters would be cute for a kids party…

Can’t resist the sweet stuff? No worries… there’s also Enlightened Desserts 2 featuring cake & ice cream designs!

Check out GinkoPapers.com for more fresh finds… from cool & artistic Letter Sets to Stickers, Greeting Cards, and more!

Is this one of the most genius candy creations ever, or what?! Something tells me these will be “popping” up at Grad parties ’round the world very soon! Bakerella… you’re a genius with the sweet stuff as always – thanks!

I’m so excited to share today’s guest post with you! The ultra-crafty & talented Meaghan Mountford – author of The Decorated Cookie and Cookie Sensations: Creative Designs for Every Occasion – is here with a fun DIY cookie project.

Since Mother’s Day is right around the corner, Megan has personalized the downloadable envelope template in this project for Mom, but these cookies would also be great party favor ideas for bridal showers, baby showers & birthday parties! Get all the “how to” info below, as told by Meaghan…

*****

Flower Cookie Pops and Matching Envelope:  A Sweet Addition to Any Gift

If you’re like me, you struggle to come up with gift ideas for the mom who has everything and needs no more clutter. Gift cards to her favorite shops, spa gift certificates, coupons for sharing a special day… all lovely ideas. And conventional.  But gift cards, spa gift certificates and coupons for sharing a special day accompanied by flower cookie pops…labors of love that will make your gift infinitely more unique.

*****

for the cookies, you will need:*
sugar cookie dough (recipe below)
frosting (any, even store-bought)
lollipop sticks
food coloring (Americolor soft gel pastes: Electric Pink, Orange & Electric Green used here)
white rolled fondant
wax paper
parchment paper
rolling pin
light corn syrup
cellophane bags and matching ribbon
cookie or fondant cutters (2 ½ inch circle, ½ inch circle, mini flower)

*All of the above can be found at any major craft store and supermarket. Craft stores offer concentrated food colorings, but Americolor soft gel pastes are available at specialty cake decorating stores or on the internet. Find more information at www.americolorcorp.com.

STEP ONE: bake your cookies
Roll out your dough thick enough to accommodate the lollipop sticks, about ¼ inch. Cut out a 2 ½ inch circle and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Insert lollipop stick half way into cookie. Bake cookies according to recipe and let cool.

STEP TWO: make your flowers
Take a handful fondant (about 1/3 cup) and add a few drops of Electric Pink coloring. Knead very well until fully blended. Add more drops until desired color is achieved. Repeat with two separate handfuls of fondant using Electric Green coloring and Orange coloring.

Roll pink fondant thinly between two pieces of wax paper. Cut out a 2 ½ inch circle and set aside to stiffen. Repeat with green and orange fondant, cutting out flower shapes and small circles, respectively. Let stiffen about 2 hours.

TIPS: If fondant gets too sticky from over-handling, let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. If preferred, vary your colors: For example, cut out large orange circles, pink flowers and green small circles.

STEP THREE: assemble your cookies
Dip your finger in light corn syrup and dab on the back of a small fondant circle. Press circle gently on center of flower fondant shape to adhere. Dab corn syrup on back of flower shape and press on center of large circle fondant shape. Spread a thin layer of frosting on cookie, and press fondant flower onto cookie. Let dry overnight and wrap, if desired. Place cellophane bag over cookie and tie at base with ribbon.

TIP: The frosting isn’t necessary. You can adhere the fondant flower to the cookie with corn syrup. But I find frosting to be much yummier.

*****

for the envelopes, you will need:
color printer
8 ½ by 11 inch card stock or photo paper
scissors, craft knife, craft glue
hole punch
gift cards or card stock cut to 2 ¼ by 3 ½ inches

Find the pdf template for your envelopes [here]. Each page will make two envelopes. Cut envelope along outer lines. Carefully and lightly score inside lines using craft knife. Fold along inside lines. Apply craft glue along tabs and hold envelope closed until glue sets. Punch hole through front and back of envelope. When glue is dry, insert gift card or message, and attach envelope to cookies with ribbon.

Ideas: Insert gift cards for a day spa or your mom’s favorite store, or write a message on cardstock and insert in envelope.

*****

cookie dough recipe

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt

With the paddle of a standing mixer or with a hand mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed. Add egg and blend well. Add extract and blend. Stir together flour and salt and gradually add to wet mixture. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for one to two hours until chilled. Pat 1/3 of dough into a ball and roll about 3/8 to ¼ inch thick on a floured surface with a floured rolling pin. Cut out shapes and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 12-14 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Yields: about 25 to 30 cookies.

*****

Thanks for the inspiration, Meaghan!

No matter which critter you’re looking at, these colorful, felt toy party favors are pretty much the cuteness! Find out more about them over at Simply Stated today!

If you’re looking for a creative way to say thank you to your wedding guests - especially those that have traveled far and wide to help celebrate your big day – try surprising them with a “Welcome!” treat in their hotel room or a parting gift as they head home from reception.

Jo Gartin’s Weddings has an entire chapter devoted to clever & thoughtful ways to say thank you… just a few of which are pictured here. I absolutely adore the “Midnight Snack” idea pictured above – which features mini bottles of milk and individually wrapped donuts in a takeout box personalized with a custom label. (Boxes and labels available at myownlabels.com).

I actually think this same concept would work well as a party favor for all sorts of occasions – from birthday parties to coroporate events – and just imagine all the different possibilities for the treat combo it holds: bagels & cream cheese with mini bottles of o.j. or chilled Starbucks Frappuccinos, cookies & milk, energy drinks & trail mix or energy bars… the list goes on!

More ideas: Greet guests with a gift basket of old-fashioned treats like kettle chips, lemonade, and cherry sours (above)…or with a goodie-filled “welcome pouch” that hangs from the hotel room door or bedpost (below).

Candy buffets are always a welcome sight at any party! Set out little takeout boxes or other small containers that guests can use to make a take-home treat filled with their own favorite treats.

Check out Jo Gartin’s Weddings – An Inspiring Guide for the Stylish Bride – for more fun “thank you” ideas like these… plus tons of contemporary & inspiring wedding ideas on everything from the invitation to the reception!