Christmas Wrapping Ideas and Tutorial

Love it or loathe it, Christmas wrapping has to be done. Surprise surprise I love it! To me...how a present looks is just as important as what's inside. I probably go overboard and really should calm down but I go all out when it comes to wrapping.

 

So the whole theme for this post will be your wrapping artillery, techniques I use and some ideas that I use for the end result. Now I know with some people it's time, they just want the presents wrapped and done but taking a few extra minutes to think about your wrapping makes a HUGE difference. I generally go for themes so this year I'm going for Reds and Browns. 

Here is an image and check list of everything I have in my kit to wrap and names of places where I got the things from:

Wrapping Check List:

Wrapping Paper (Colours of your choice)

-Brown Parcel Paper (Card Factory)

-Reindeer Paper (M&S)

-Brown Print Paper (Poundshop)

Ribbons

-Ribbon Set (M&S)

-Gold Ribbon (ASDA)

-Red & White Ribbon (Poundshop)

Tags and Accessories

-Gift Tags (M&S)

-Baubels (Poundshop & Tesco)

Equipment

-Sharp Scissors

-Cellotape and dispenser

Now this is just some of the things that I use, things such as Candy Canes, Achorns etc are all decorations I'll buy later. .So you have your tools and your accessories, now let's get cracking! You don't have to follow these steps and can by all means just look at the pictures for inspiration.

Step 1: Measure and estimate
Pick your gift and think about the shape and how much paper you might need to cover all sides and edges.

Step 2: Cut and Fold
You can fold your paper for guide lines when cutting but I just used the printed one on the paper. Cut as much or as little as you need then you can move on folding the sides ready for taping.

Step 3: Taping (and staying clam)
Now you have your folds, get some tape ready so you can stick the sides down. If your paper won't stay down, use more tape or alternatively you can use double sided tape which is super sticky and hides the tape. Fold sides close to the edge of the item so you get a firmly wrapped present.

Step 4: Ribbons
Now you have your wrapped present, get your creative head on because this is where the fun starts! Choose an array of ribbons which you think will work well with your paper and place them on your present. Pick the one that looks the best and start your bow. I measure out how much I'll need before I cut just to be sure, leaving a little excess for a bow. Wrap the ribbon around all the present, cross at the middle then wrap in the other direction. Put the ribbon under the starting point and finish with a know and bow.

Step 5: Embellishments
I add baubels to the end of my ribbons and then tie the bow so it stays on. You can add gift tags at this point and use things like achorns and candy canes to really make the present look great! Stamps from craft shops such as letters for the initials of the person or christmas stamps work really well on brown paper.

And there you have it, You can of course add more or less depending on what you like your presents to look like. I think it's all about having fun with wrapping and really making something that stands out under the tree. I think the presents look rustic but like you've made a lot of effort. You can also take a really creative route and use old newspapers and coloured ribbon, magazine cut outs for tags and even patterned tape!

I hope you've enjoyed this post and that it's gave you some inspiration and ideas for your own presents!

Thanks for reading, and I hope this gets you in the festive spirit!

Luke.

Christmas Gift Guide: Him & Her

December is upon us and I couldn't be more ready for Christmas. I have written my lists for what I'm getting people for Christmas and I've already started making a dent into my bank balance. However it's not always easy buying for people at this time of year. Having experienced the task of trying to find the right size pyjama top that coordinates with the right size pyjama bottom then queuing half an hour to be served, I know what it's like to get stressed whilst shopping and not having a clue what to get people. But I'm here to shed light on this festive dilemma of what to get your loved ones for Christmas with a gift guide of 5 items for him and her that should give you some inspiration and ideas for gifts this year.

Top 5 Items for Women:
If there are any men reading this, or even women, firstly hello...secondly you can fully sympathise with me about how difficult it is buying for Mothers, Girlfriends, Nana's, Sisters, Cousins etc so here are my top 5 items this year that I think any woman would love.

Item Number 1: Sanctuary Body Set. Boots, £22.50

Some might say this is the obvious cheat option for a present for women this Christmas but body sets always go down well! If you don't know which set is right for the person you're buying for, have a few things in mind. Smells are always a personal thing so if you aren't 100% sure they will like it go for something neutral so it ticks all the boxes. Also think about age, Soap and Glory do great sets for younger women if Sanctuary things aren't what you had in mind.

Item Number 2: Book and Bath Bomb, Lush & WHSmith £7+

Whoever your buying for, and this isn't just women. They will need some time in their life where they can just relax and unwind. That's why I chose these items to be in the gift guide, a lush bomb is perfect for when the person has had a stressful day and they need to take some time out to relax. This bath bomb is 'Cinders' and is £2.50 from Lush, link is here https://www.lush.co.uk/products/bath-bombs/cinders . Also a book is perfect for when you are in the bath, I chose this book by Stephan Chbosky as it is a great read and is perfect for all age ranges.

Item Number 3: Starbucks Festive Coffee Cup £1.20

If you read my previous blog post, you will have seen that I purchased this cup. I think that it again perfect for both men and women as it means they can take their favourite beverages on the go with them. They can even save some money if they stop off at a Starbucks when the drink gets made in their cup!

Item Number 4: Purse, Retail Outlet £20

It's said that you shouldn't buy your own purse/wallet and that someone should buy you one as it brings fortune so what better present than getting a purse. Again, they can be down to personal taste so look out for patterns or prints they like as well as previous purses they have had so you are buying the right one.

Item Number 5: Nigella Lawson Cook Book, WHSmith, £12. Cupcake Book, ASDA £5.

This present is a gamble depending on whether the woman you're buying for likes to cook or they might take it as a hint that their cooking needs to improve...Either way I think they make a great gift! This one by Nigella Lawson is a festive addition which shows you how to rustle up some great food for Christmas. The cupcake book is perfect for the baker who loves cupcakes as it's packed full of recipes to try.

Top 5 Items for Men:

Item Number 1: Hoodie, Superdry £49.99

Again, if you read my previous post you will have seen my buy this gift. Needless to say I think clothing can be difficult but as long as you get a gift receipt you are sorted! Superdry make some great hoodies that last. The quality is superb and I for one would be happy if someone got me this for Christmas.

Item Number 2: Nike Roshe Run, £70

Whether they are sporty, stylish or just love trainers, I think Nike Roshes make a great present. I own a pair of these and they genuinely are so comfy you struggle to take them off, perfect for any man who likes comfort and style. If you look around you can get them cheaper but they retail at around £70.

Item Number 3: Far Cry 4, PS4 £44.50

Now...when it comes to getting games for people it can be extremely difficult as you don't know what games they already have or whether they will even play it. But if again you get a receipt, they can easily take it back and exchange it for a one they would prefer. This is for my brother as his girlfriend bought him a PS4 for Christmas.

Item Number 4: Guardians Of The Galaxy Blu Ray, ASDA £13

This is one of the biggest releases this year and for good reason! I was lucky enough to have seen it twice and it was amazing. If you know anyone who's a lover of anything Marvel, this is a must! Any DVD makes a great gift, again don't throw away the receipt just in case they already have it.

Item Number 5: Novelty Lens Mug £7

Funny novelty items are great for stocking fillers or just to have as a laugh with the man you're buying for. I got one of these last year and I love it as it looks great on your desk. If you know someone who likes cameras or is into photography this is perfect for them.

And there we have it, a list of the top 5 things I would recommend this Christmas for him and her. This is the first instalment of many posts throughout the festive period so be sure to keep checking for future posts. If you have any suggestions about things you are getting people this Christmas feel free to leave them in the comments.

Thank you very much for reading,

Luke.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

All be it November, Christmas is in full swing! This time of the year has got to be one of my favourite times of the year. The nights are drawing in, it's starting to get a lot colder, the thick coats and hats are coming out and it's all very exciting. I genuinely cannot think of anything better than coming in from the cold to a nice warm house with a cup of hot chocolate, a Christmas candle burning, grabbing a thick blanket and putting on a Christmas film. Pure bliss! However, one part of the festive period people aren't so keen on is Christmas shopping...but surprise surprise I love it. It's the one time of the year you can pull out all the stops, go all out and spoil the people who deserve most. With me having a part time job as well as doing A Levels, I am struggling to find days where I can get fully engrossed in the Christmas spirit and hit up the high street in search for gifts for people. However, on Saturday I put aside any other plans other than to get wrapped up, grab my car keys and prepare my bank card for some serious damage.

I didn't set out with anything in mind, I just wanted to purely enjoy having a wander around the shops, taking in the decorations and displays and making a start on my list of things to buy. Weirdly I started with getting some essentials for wrapping. When it comes to gift wrapping I get far too involved than I should. To me, there is nothing more special than taking an extra 5 minutes to wrap a present with something a little different rather than a bodged up corner and a sticky on bow. I am going to do a completely separate blog post on wrapping ideas in the next few weeks. I then wandered into the Body Shop with my friend to get a little body wash as a start of a 'Care Package' for my mam with the idea that she can go into it when she's had a tough day and needs to relax. These little shower gels are great for £2 if your mam/sister/girlfriend travel or like little mini toiletries. They did have other smells besides Mango too.

Superdry is known for it's quality clothing so I had a wander in thinking of something for my Step-Dad. As the store in Durham had a huge clothing range, I thought a nice thick hoodie for winter would be great. It was £49.99 which is a fair bit cheaper than Jack Wills and do a wide range of sizes. I also would recommend a gift receipt if you are unsure with sizes as you have a little longer to return the item after Christmas.

Of course it wouldn't be a good Christmas shop unless it involved the obligatory pit-stop at a coffee shop. My friend chose Starbucks which had a impressive display of all the Christmas treats you can enjoy with your coffee. My favourite's are the caramel waffles and the almond and pistachio biscotti.

 With my having a Starbucks the day before however, I chose to take a trip to Costa. Their Christmas range is amazing to say the least...The Orange Hot Chocolate is essentially Christmas in a cup! However I went for my favourite last year, the Gingerbread Latte.  A shot of espresso, steamed milk warm ginger syrup running through your drink topped with a swirl of whipped cream, golden stars and even a mini ginger bread man to finish is just what you need. Also Costa wins my vote for the best Christmas cups.

Little outfit shot. This parker hasn't been off my back for the past two weeks. Purchased from Topman, it is soon becoming my new winter staple. Oh...if you're really looking you can see a cheeky Starbucks festive edition cup in the Superdry bag. Just what you need for coffee on the go.

Coat: Topman: £95
Jumper: Topman £9
Watch: ASOS

All this shopping called for some food. When we parked up, we spotted a man handing out free pizza samples with vouchers for 25% off the bill at "ASKITALIAN". Unable to give into temptation, and never having tried the restaurant, we thought we'd give it a go. The prices are average but it was a bonus that we had the voucher. The deco is simplistic and it has a really cool, lively vibe to it. I chose a 'Raspberry Lemonade' and it was sooo good! I could have had easily 3 glasses of it.

The food arrived and we sure weren't disappointed. We went for two peperoni and one margarita and there was plenty to go around. The bases were lovely and thin and with a topping of grated parmesan and black pepper was just what we needed.  

 Stomachs full, we went to finish off our trip with a visit to a few more shops. This window display caught my eye at 'Fat Face' and it really captures what Christmas is all about, thick jumpers, fluffy socks and an abundance of ribbon.

As the dark came, the lights came on and I felt it only necessary to get a shot of the Christmas tree and the sky covered in stars. Durham always go subtle with their decorations but it always looks great.

All be it brief, I made a start on the list of items to buy and got right into the Christmas spirit! The drive home consisted of Michael Buble, Terry's chocolate orange segments and a good old sing along to Mariah Carey and WHAM. Prepare yourself for a lot of Christmas related posts in the coming weeks, I have a few posts planned so be sure to follow my blog so you never miss out.

 

Thanks for reading as always,

 

Luke.

Halloween Treats

With Halloween just round the corner, I felt it was only necessary that I wrote about some recipe ideas that I love to make every Halloween. It's the one day a year where you can really go all out on your costume, I tend to go down the gory route with an abundance of fake blood and exposed limbs, so it would seem only right that there were some spooky treats to have along side the night of celebration. Every year I make Halloween themed cupcakes to take to parties, and this year was no exception however I did also make some 'Slime Monsters' which taste super indulgent and have a certain grossness to them. There are two recipes to this post so bare with, it's a long one.

Ingredients (Makes 12)

200g White Chocolate Melted

50g of Rice Crispies

Green Food Colouring

20g Black Sugar Paste

20g White Sugar Paste

 

Equipment:

Rolling Pin

Spoon

Baking Tray

Greaseproof Paper

 

Method:

1. Start by melting your white chocolate in a large, heat proof bowl. I do it in the microwave in 30 second blasts.



2. Add around 1-2tsp of food colouring to the white chocolate and stir till fully incorporated.



3.Now add your Rice Crispies and stir through till fully coated.
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4. Place around 2tsp of the mixture on a baking tray lined with baking parchment and repeat till all the mixture is used.

5. Put in the fridge to set for 15-20 minutes.

6. Now make a start on your icing.

7. Lightly dust your work surface with icing sugar and roll out a small part of the white icing.

6. Now take small amounts of the icing and make small balls then squish them to form little circles.

6. Now take some black food colouring and add that to the icing so it goes a dark black colour, Start by adding a tiny bit then you can always add more if necessary.



7. Take small pieces of the icing and press them into the white circles to make eyes.

 

7. Now press the eyes onto the slime balls and allow them to set completely for about an hour.


These are super simple to make and take no time at all. They are meant to look like slime but mine turned out looking kinda like something from a Pixar film. Nonetheless they taste really good! Now for the Blood Cupcakes!

Ingredients: Makes 12

125g Unsalted Butter

125g Caster Sugar

2 Eggs

125g Self Raising Flour

1 1/2 tsp of milk

1tsp of Vanilla

1/4tsp of Bicarbonate Soda

5tbsp Strawberry Jam

Frosting

150g Unsalted Butter

300g Icing Sugar

2tbsp Milk

1tsp Vanilla

Decorations of choice

2tbsp Strawberry Jam

Method:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 170 degrees f. Line a cupcake tin with 12 paper cases, I got these from ASDA for £1 and I think they look great.

 2. In a large bowl, cream your butter and sugar together till pale and fluffy.

 3. Add your vanilla and whisk again.

 4. Add your eggs one at a time beating after every addition. If your mix looks like it has curdled, add a table spoon of flour and it should come back together.

 5. Now sift in your flour and bicarb soda and fold through till combined.

 6. Add your milk and stir through one last time.

 7. Spoon the batter into the paper cases, I use two small spoons to do this so it doesn't go everywhere.

 8. Fill the cases about 3/4 full as they will rise in the oven.

 9. Bake them for 20 - 22 minutes or until they're golden on top or until a knife can be inserted and come out clean.

 10. Leave them to cool while you make the frosting. Whisk the butter for 2-3 minutes until pale and creamy.

 11. Then add your icing sugar in 2 lots, or you could just spill it everywhere like I did...

 12. Add your milk and vanilla and whisk together for 3 minutes till completely smooth. Fill a piping bag with the butter cream and set aside for later.

 13. Take a sharp knife and cut a whole in the centre of the cake so that you can fit some jam inside.

 14. Add half a teaspoon to each cupcake and put the lid back on.

 15. Top with the frosting from the piping bag, you can use a star nozzle or you could just spoon it on, either way it still tastes amazing!

 16. Take some jam in a small bowl and add 1tsp of water to the jam and mix till thinned. Drizzle it over the frosting and allow it to run down the sides for that blood effect.

 17. I then topped them with edible skeletons from ASDA and some spider sticks also from ASDA.

 

And that's it! Simple, classic cupcakes but with a spooky Halloween twist. Assure whoever you serve these to that it is jam inside and not blood...or don't if you're feeling cruel. I hope that whoever got this far, you have an amazing Halloween and fully go to town whether you're throwing a party, going trick or treating or spending the night in with some spooky films, regardless have a great night!

 

Let me know as always if you try this recipe and comment how it turns out.

 

Happy Halloween,

 

Luke.