Handmade Wreath Gift Tags Tutorial + Gifting Swiss Chocolat Frey Giveaway 12/18

This is a Fashionista Event and a promotional item was provided to me by Chocolat Frey. Hosts for this event are Still Blonde after all these Years and ModlyChic.

Momma Told Me: It's the holidays- time to be sweet!


Starting at the age of 4 Momma began instilling a strong importance of handmade gifts."It's the thought that counts," she'd say as she watched me scribble out my name on our homemade wrapping paper. Every year we'd have a different project. Our family was always on a budget, but our handmade presents allowed us to stretch that budget and make gifts for everyone in the family, as well as teachers, postal workers, and neighbors. One year it would be walnut shell ornaments, another hand poured candles, and the next custom bath salts. Of course my favorite year was the year we decided to give chocolate- and made 3 of Momma's favorite seasonal recipes to gift in decorative holiday tins. It was also the most delicious year.

As an adult I've made an effort to continue this tradition by incorporating a handmade element into my gifts, or gift wrapping, each year. This year I'm terribly busy juggling the blog, a full time job, my volunteer position at the daycare, bowling, and a move from this tiny condo into a 4 bedroom house. Everyday I spend a few hours on this and that, but the time seems to fly right by! So this year I'm going back to my favorite holiday gifting memory, and sharing the joy of chocolate, alongside a few handmade touches. Naturally, any old chocolate won't do- gifts this special require a bit of class in the form of Authentic Swiss Chocolat Frey®. Delicious GMO-free and bean-to bar processed chocolate that is as delicious as it is sustainable.

Something as timelessly elegant as fine chocolate deserves a presentation that is as equally timeless and heartfelt, so I knew immediately I wanted to make handmade gift tags for my Chocolat Frey® gifts. Chocolat Frey® comes in a wide assortment of varieties and sizes; shareable Napsli mini bars (perfect for filling gift baskets or stockings), artfully crafted Assorted Pralines Boxes, Aura™ Almond Intrigue Bars, and even seasonal hollow chocolates like the Chocolat Frey® Reindeer collection. That means I can put together a large gift bundle for my grandparents, or simply recognize my bowling teammates with a delicious bar. All adorned with a handmade gift tag, of course.

You can make about 12 of these handmade wreath gift tags for under $5 with the following supplies:

1 Package Wire Fir Branches (10")

1 1/2" Red Velvet Wire Ribbon

Pack of Manilla 'Luggage' Style Gift Tags (Includes Twine)

An Old Dictionary

A Cup of Strong Coffee

A Glue Stick

Hot Glue Gun

First you'll want to pour your dark coffee into a shallow dish or bowl. It doesn't matter how fresh the coffee is, though I find warm coffee tends to set richer stains and much quicker than cold coffee. The staining process really is quite simple- dip, splash, and daub coffee on to your heart's content. Use a coffee mug, dipped in coffee and 'stamped' on your tag to create traditional coffee rings. Layer stains over a few hours, or days to really add character. Do not be discouraged if your tags simply look like one coffee stained mess at first-  as the tags dry they will pull the color out of the liquid and create their own unique splotched and patterns.

Next tear some strips of paper from an old dictionary. I chose to target words of seasonal importance, such as 'jingle,' 'joy,' and 'christen' to help add to the mood of the tags. You'll want to tear them about 1/2 the side of the footprint of your tags, so as to allow the character of your coffee handy work to still really shine. Attach them towards the top of your tags with a glue stick.

Next, cut your fir branches to about 7" and wrap them in a circle, twisting  the two open edges together. Placing the twisted end at the top, hot glue the 'wreath' to the tag.

Cut a strip of your ribbon, approximately 9" in length and tie a messy bow. Trim the ends in a 'v' shape to add a little extra detail and hot glue the bow to the top of your 'wreath'. Tie your twine strands through the top to complete your gift tags.

These handmade wreath gift tags really have that 'wow' factor and look like they take far more time and skill than they actually require. Trust me on this one- the first thing I'm always asked is 'where did you buy these tags?!' followed by 'how much will it cost for you to make me some?' Of course the adorable mini wreath and seasonal sentiment is quickly forgotten when the recipient tears into their Chocolat Frey® gift and everyone starts sharing the joy of such a delicious present.

Sometimes I wish I had time to hand make a treat for large groups of people- like neighbors, or the entire bowling league- but I simply don't have the time this year. Instead, for our annual potluck I'm making 4 dozen Dark Chocolate dipped spoons- the perfect companion to our Keurig bar where people can add an instant blast of gourmet fine Chocolat Frey® to their coffee, eggnog, or hot chocolate, thanks to this little hack I devised with their Napsli mini bars.

And, before we continue can we stop to take a moment to appreciate how adorably awesome these Chocolat Frey® Dark Napsli individually wrapped 'bite' sized bars are?!

Using some elegant 'fancy' plastic silverware from the party store and by melting 20 unwrapped Chocolat Frey® Dark Napsli bars in a microwave safe bowl (on high for 1 MIN) I can prepare gourmet favors in just minutes. I gently spoon just enough to fill each piece of plastic cutlery, then place each spoon on a foil lined cookie sheet and decorate with edible stars or non-parells. 5 minutes in the freezer and I have the hottest attraction at my holiday potluck! Don't forget to put out a bag or bowl of the Chocolat Frey® Napsli mini bars for your guests to grab and take some home too!

If you really want to take this hack to the next level consider packaging a few dipped spoons in clear confection wrappers with your favorite K-Cups in a coffee mug! 2 spoons melt perfectly into warm milk (or milk substitute) for the perfect hot cocoa also!

And if you aren't already the hostess with the mostess this holiday season, thanks to your adorable gift tags on genuine Swiss Chocolat by Frey® gifts, and Swiss chocolate dipped stir spoons, you might want to break out the piece-DE-resistance- Chocolat Frey® Hollow Reindeer, served as eggnog vessels. Whether it's a nightcap seasonal cocktail, or some refreshing post- holiday meal eggnog, these hollow reindeer will captivate and delight your most special guests and have everyone feeling like a kid again!

As much fun as I have while entertaining, this season really is about giving- You don't have to be Martha Stewart, or rich, to gift gifts that really make your recipients feel special. After all who doesn't love fine chocolate? You'll find the Chocolat Frey® varieties featured here at Sam's Club, Shaw's, Meijer and more. Learn more about the brand and follow them through their social media handles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest then follow the link-up below for more amazing Chocolat by Frey® inspired gifting ideas.

What Daughter Says: Spread holiday cheer with simply sweet gifts and handmade touches.

Enter below for your chance to win a Chocolat Frey® seasonal prize package valued at $55, then hop along to the other blogs for more chances to win!

Frey Holiday

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