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I have always been a sucker for appreciated pretty packaging. I have learned, sometimes the hard way, that the item within isn’t always all that I had hoped for but I am drawn to items that are well packaged.
The inspiration for this post came by way of one of my favorite sites, Heather Bullard ⁄ Lifestyle, in her recent post about some small, wooden boxes she found at Target in their dollar bins. (Sorry I missed these). She did an amazing job photographing the boxes filled with eggs from her hens. I was taken by the beautiful photography (always) but it struck me that something as simple as eggs could look so appealing. Note: Heather and her team publish Souvenir magazine. It’s filled with great ideas.
That got me thinking about some of the creative packaging you stumble upon while perusing the internet. Jenny Steffens Hobick, a talented cook hosts an entertaining blog site, created this box of homemade cookies and other goodies. By placing them in cello bags with pink ribbon and polka dot tissue, the contents look like they could have been packaged by a high-end specialty boutique. Anyone would be pleased with this sweet package.
Another example of something as simple as a red/purple onion, made to look like art. I realize none of us would wrap our onions in antique pages from a book or newspaper before use, but you can see how pretty they look. {Helena Bernard Photography via tumblr Love French Bulldogs}
Who doesn’t love a French baguette? This display conveys to me that these are fresh-out-of-the-oven and I can nearly taste the fresh creamery butter and melt-in-your-mouth flavor of a baguette. {source}
Even these little individual pies are tempting, I might want the entire crate of hand pies!
Note to self, make some of this vinegar for possible hostess gifts during raspberry season.
Isn’t this bottle with the pop lid stopper cute?
Don’t you wonder what is within the delicate wrapping of the lace doilies?
Just in time for Easter, I believe these Mod Podge eggs could be created using the plastic, open-able eggs you can find everywhere right now. Throw some M&M’s in these and I’m in happyland.
The oak barrels used to age wine have always been a favorite, they are usually French oak and I do enjoy a glass of the contents from time to time.
Are you drawn to attractive packaging?
I’m visiting with Ricki Jill over at Art@Home, join me.
around the table said:
Hi Karen,
I too am a pushover for pretty packaging. The little egg crate at the top is darling and I like seeing the baguette in the folded down paper bag .. giving a rustic, freshly baked feel. The simple packaging isn’t always easy to come up with 🙂 Sometimes I forget to use things like flowers and greens (the rosemary is a great idea and smells so good).
Hope you are having a good week!
xxleslie
Karen B. said:
Leslie, I’m with you, I almost need to save images on clever packaging ideas. It makes the simple things in life special. I hope you had a lovely holiday weekend. Karen
Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
I totally wrap ALL my food in antique book pages. You don’t do that?
I also alphabetize all my wine casks by region, and rainfall. Although, my wine steward would rather do it according to vineyard and vintage… I think that’s ridiculous, don’t you??
Love the blue eggs! (no sarcasm)
Karen B. said:
Victoria, Why, yes. I keep searching for more antique, French books to wrap onions in. :p. Blue eggs, natures own packaging, the best! Karen
debra phillips said:
i aspire to a life that includes the time for creating beautiful packaging, i am currently known for the gift inside as recipients ignore the “packaging!”
loved the creativity of the onion wrapped
beautiful post karen!
debra
Karen B. said:
Debra,
So true! I see these ideas and when the time comes to implement them I’ve either forgotten the look or the don’t have the materials on hand! But it is inspiring to see what some come up with for making things pretty. I love the idea that its the “gift inside” that counts. 🙂
xo,
Karen
Kelly - Talk of the House said:
Victoria is cracking me up! I am a BIG time sucker for pretty packaging…love paper. Your photos here are gorgeous. I think so much of Jenny’s things look great because of the packaging and she limits here colors to a pale color palette…Heather Bullard does the same. I could spend a fortune in Paper Source on wrapping items alone. Yes, the marketing gods are always happy when I shop. I can hear them whispering now…”just package it pretty and she will buy it.” 🙂
Karen B. said:
Kelly, My friends all wait to comment on my posts so they can read Victoria’s clever and always funny comment! :p You are queen of packaging. I’ve saved several images from your posts as ideas for packaging during various holidays. I agree, Paper Source could be a cause for poverty where I’m concerned. Talk about creative people! Karen
Loi Tone on Tone said:
The power of presentation and pretty packaging…..I love it!! Karen, I also love the way items are packaged and gift wrapped in Japan. Very meticulously and thoughtfully. Have a great weekend, my friend.
Cheers from sunny DC 🙂
Loi
Karen B. said:
Loi, I’ve seen some packages with simple papers and twine hold a magical appeal. While we were in Austin, the church we attended on Easter packaged a small, origami like paper package that was passed out to each family to release the contents outdoors. Inside the little package was a Monarch butterfly which flew away once the paper was open. It was pretty wonderful, especially for my 2 year old granddaughter! Lucky you, we’ve had some sunshine and cool temps with some cloud cover hanging around on and off. Enjoy your upcoming weekend, my friend. Karen
Linda Coble said:
Karen,
I’ve long been a sucker for pretty packaging. I loved all of the ideas you showcased in your post — those little boxes from Target were darling! I can’t wait to make a trip to my closest craft store and paper source to get some supplies. Thanks for the inspiration.
Karen B. said:
Linda, I am going to make more of an effort to wrap things with some creative flair. I’ve just got to keep a file of ideas, and visit my local Paper Source! Karen
designchic said:
A big part of the gift to me is the beautiful packaging and I’m always so impressed with peoples creativity. Just love the little wooden boxes with the eggs and the baguettes, almost too pretty to eat!
Karen B. said:
So true, eggs never looked so pretty. Heather Bullard has a knack, as do so many of the talented people we now get to gain inspiration from by simply turning on our computers. :p Karen
Sent from my iPad
Debby said:
It’s all in the packaging.
Ricki Jill Treleaven said:
Oh, the inspiration in this post! 😀 Every single one of these images have made me happy. What adorably simple ideas! I think that presentation is everything when giving a gift.
I hate I missed those little wooden boxes at Target, too. Hoe cute! Heather did an amazing job, didn’t she!?!?
I agree about the bottle…the stopper is so cute! I make bar-b-q marinade, and it would look so cute in a bottle like that!
I’ve bookmarked this post….love it! And I needed some “happy” this morning. 😀
Thanks so much for linking up to My Happy List!
xo,
Ricki Jill
Karen B. said:
Hi Ricki Jill, I hope you are feeling better, my friend. Yes, if you make a BBQ marinade it would be perfect in those bottles, the rubber seal would keep it fresh in the fridge. Have a good week. Karen
Gretchen said:
Karen, I too, am a sucker for unique or clever packaging. Your comment that it makes simple things special is absolutely true. My most recent experience with that was in Hong Kong. Even something as simple as a cookie was in a beautifully designed bag or box.
Karen B. said:
Gretchen, I love it when it’s an everyday kind of item and the wrap makes it wonderful…helps with the whole “live in the moment” 😀 xo, Karen
Whitney said:
I guess the old “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” doesn’t work with you. Me neither! All of these are just lovely!
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Whitney. Have a great week. Karen