Taking A Look Around & Giveaway Update

This week's giveaway and the gift giving posts have been so much fun - I hope you all have enjoyed it as well! One of my favorite parts has been all the great feedback and ideas that you have contributed in the comments. And today, it is my pleasure to feature some of these fantastic ideas with you!

Valentine cookies for Mr. too Blessed to Stress!

As part of the giveaway, I asked you to share your best gift giving tips and the response was amazing! Thank you! There were ideas for gifts, decorating packages, repurposing containters for gifts, and unique ideas for how to make lasting memories.

I just loved this idea Barbara Jean from Treasures of the Heart had:

"On my birthday one year, instead of waiting for everyone to give me gifts, I decided to buy all my family gifts instead. It was so fun. And you cannot be disappointed about what you did not get, because you got the gift of giving and that is the best gift of all!"

What an awesome idea! I often leave little packages for my dinner gusts, but never on my own birthday. I do believe that I'll have to try this out for my birthday this year. What better way to celebrate than by making someone else's day!

Take a look at this wonderful {and yummy} creation made by Heather over at "Storing Up My Treasures".

Hand Dipped Chocolate Caramels in a handmade candy box. How special would this be to recieve on Valentines day?

I love this idea because you can select your own yummy contents for the box and make the wrapping as personal as you want. How cool is that?

Bridgette (no blog that I know of) shared this fun idea:

"I love taking regular balloons and blowing them up just a little bit and tying them up with the ribbon to dress up the out side of a package! It is super cute! : ) "

Can't wait to try this balloon idea out!

Check out these ideas from Jerri who writes over at Simply Sweet Home:

In this post, she shared how to make your own inexpensive hot chocolate gift basket. Perfect for a fall and winter time gifts.

And then this post is all about her stratagies for putting together gifts baskets.

Jerri has great tips and lots of pictures too!

So many of you lovely ladies mentioned that you love to give handmade gifts {me too!} and of course we can't overlook saving a penny or two while shopping for the items to handmake a gift. Look at what Rebekah from All Things Rrlated shared: 

"Ok, my best tip is to make it! There are so many great ideas in blogland! I buy what I need to make them at thrift stores (baskets are usually super cheap there!)or at a craft store with their 40 percent off coupons! The dollar stores have cheap things to create with as well!"

Katie from Katie's Nesting Spot had an awesome idea for repurposing a Starbucks caddy and the bottles.

May I just say that I not only love the idea, but am thrilled to have an excuse to buy "fancy" coffe again! haha!

Jeanne from Inspiring Ideas reminded us that personalizing things is always a fun way to show you care:

"My best gift-giving idea is to really think of the recipient. I usually go unique or practical - like a custom label on a scented jar candle. For good friends I like treating them to some kind of outing, like a show. I like making memories!"

Amy from Wanna Make Something Of It? shared a fun basket she put together to say thanks to her babysitter.

I just love all the great colors she used!

Joyeful from the Joyeful Journey had a great repurposing tip:

"This is such a great idea! Gift baskets certainly make gift giving fun and less expensive! I save tissue paper and gift bags from gifts I receive and re-use them. I also enjoy making gifts for people."

So many wonderful ideas! Wish I could feature them all!

Thank you everyone for your awesome participation in today's feature post and I hope that you will all be back often for another adventure here at "too Blessed to Stress." Don't forget that there is still one more day for my giveaway! Head on over here to enter.

If you were featured here today, please feel free to grab my "I Was Featured Button" over on the right hand side of my blog.