July 4th Hostess Gift - Decorate to Celebrate Design Team Challenge

MY STORY

     My mother taught me to never go to someones house empty handed.  With a few July 4th parties coming up and a new Decorate To Celebrate Design Team Challenge - I decided to use this perfect crafting opportunity to come up with some fun Hostess Gifts.  I also decided to limit myself to buying only new things at my fav neighborhood dollar store and spend only $3.00.  Armed with my limited budget and an idea of what my at-home stash looked like, I came up with a fast, easy and inexpensive gift that I know my friends will enjoy receiving.  And they are all functional and can be used once the party is over.  And just think, a little change in color and this idea could also be fun for any holiday!  Have a crafty day!

YOUR TURN

     These are the goodies from the dollar store, but similar items can also be found at any local general store or the big boxes like Michaels and Target.  There are always amazing things in the clearance aisles, which I tend to go to first.

     First step is the mug....using florist foam I had, I cut off a small piece to place in the mug to hold my star stems securely.  Setting aside three of the stems for the other half of the gift, insert the stems into the foam.

     Trim some of them for different lengths so when they stand out in the foam, they almost look like fireworks or sparklers.

     Using a pretty color coordinated paper napkin, fold 2 -3 of them in different shapes to fill in so the foam doesn't show.  And that is it!

     My second Hostess gift utilized this adorable burlap wine bottle holder -- I love burlap, chalkboard, all those rustic materials.  Using the three stems you had set aside, remove the stems and glue the stars on to the burlap bag.  How you want to lay them out is totally your choice.  And I just love how the stars go perfectly with the burlap.

     I had some left over bingo letters - and luckily had the "U" "S" and "A" ( usually I'm stuck with a z and not much else).  Glue them onto the bag as desired.  Fill the bag with your favorite wine and put some of the napkin you used earlier into the top.  And you are done, and ready to head out for all the fun.

     I hope you learned something new.  Also, sending my thoughts and prayers out to my US Marine stationed overseas as well as all the troops serving now, who have served and who sacrificed everything so that we may be free to enjoy this beautiful holiday with our friends and family.