Let's get Nuts!
Nuts are a simple and elegant gift that is often quite costly. Using the recipe we shared in Gg's Kitchen, you'll be able to produce 1 pound of sugar and spice and everything nice for around $8.00. Compared to the $30 or more per pound you'll pay for mail order nuts in the blandest varieties, this is the most frugal (and tasty!) way to send a very special gift.
Now lets make our packaging pretty
What you'll need:
scrapbook paper
glue
paper crimper
scissors
hole punch
string, ribbon, or raffia
This project is fun because you can so easily change the size of your packaging by using whole or quarter sheets of paper. The pictured package was made from a quarter sheet and holds a nice handful of nuts, a single serving type quantity. Use a whole sheet of paper for a gift containing multiple servings.
1. Place your sheet of paper upside down on your work surface, and roll the left and right edges in towards each other, overlapping a quarter inch, and press to create folds. Secure edges together with glue. (I like using a fast drying paper glue that does not wrinkle the paper, but a glue stick or elmers is fine too.)
2. Apply glue to bottom edge, let dry.
3. Crimp bottom edge.
4. Pinch sides of flattened paper to open the tube you have created, and continue to pinch, creating a nearly triangular shape. (think those little tubes of sour cream they serve you with a baked potato at Wendy's, or the frozen grape juice treats they serve in school lunchrooms). Flatten edge and slip under a hole punch, punch hole in center, or for added interest off to the corner.
5. Fill your container with nuts, popcorn, candy, a small inedible gift, or any other item you would like to present in fun, unique packaging! I suggest using a plastic bag or other food grade wrapping to contain a food gift inside the tube.
6. Attach a coordinating gift tag through the hole punch using string, ribbon, or rafia, and present your gift!
Beautiful, inexpensive, unique, and keeps great surprises!