Trying to figure out a way to organize the tangled ball of ribbon as you clean up from the holidays?  This ribbon holder DIY project on Curbly is incredible cute and looks really easy to make.

What a pretty way to keep ribbons tidy and ready up for future gift giving occasions.

Realized that you aren't quite finished with your holiday shopping?  Rather than fight through the crowds at the mall, sip a cup of coffee while you click through adding the last gifts to your shopping cart.  Here are a few recession-sized-budget friendly ideas for a guy in your life...

Magazines are the gift that keeps giving.  And at Amazon they have a nice little 'gift certificate' that you can print out along with the subscription to wrap...  Best Life or Men's Health (1-year) get good reviews.  For his game room: ChipsAndGames Premium Poker Set or Accudart Classic Bristle Dartboard and if game room is more likely to mean Wii head to the Amazon Wii Store for games and accessories.  The Citizen Eco-Drive Men's Watch which is solar powered! Or go for the gift of comfort - Men's Minnetonka Moccasins.

For the gift tags this holiday season I decided to try the Amy Butler pattern for paper pinwheels.  I used the same paper that I used for lining the envelopes of our holiday cards.  They are pretty simple to make but another set of hands cames in handy for the step of securing the pinwheels, my husband was delegated to the job of gluing while I was holding the paper in place.  I am pretty happy how with how they turned out...

Feeling a little conflicted over all that paper that gets wasted wrapping gifts but still want to present a pretty package?  Whimsy Press has a line of very pretty, modern paper that is earth-friendly to help you feel a bit more at ease while wrapping up those thoughtful gifts.

The Whimsy Mixed Greens paper is made from 100% recycled paper and uses soy-based inks... and is quite chic.

The holiday issue of Martha Stewart Living has so many good things in it. I have always loved the idea of a flower bulb for a favor and the packaging instructions from MSL appear to be very easy and pretty. Use recycled bags and paper and it is a very green favor! These would be great for a holiday party or shower/rehearsal dinner/wedding favor.

I also love the pretty packaging idea for a blooming potted plant gift. Wouldn't these look lovely lined up either down an aisle for a wedding or in your home just to add a little color to the season?

Stocking stuffers can be either genera-gifts {lip balm, a candle, a travel sized smelly lotion}, a small thoughtful gift, or a way to build on the theme of a main gift. Why go with the genera-mall-gift stocking stuffers when Etsy has made finding unique little handmade treasures so simple? Main stream gifts have their place but I love a nice mix of the mall finds with the handmade pieces to keep it interesting. Here are a few stocking stuffer ideas via Etsy that the recipient might not have seen while doing their shopping.

Unique coasters via CarolinaCottage:

Pretty fridge art via inmybackyard:

Pretty earrings via exterrajewelry:

A limited edition print via annacote:

These gifts are friendly on the wallet coming in at under $15. And have that wonderful quality of being handmade. I would love to find any of these in my stocking!

I am a big fan of Maggie's etsy shop, brooklynbookbinder; she always has such pretty handcrafted journals and albums. When I heard that she had letterpress calendars and holiday cards I had to check them out... and then promptly place an order for a few gifts! A pretty calendar is such a nice addition to a desk, whether at the office or at home.

I love the little bit of history that Maggie shares on what inspired the design for each month in the etsy listing...

These cards would be so lovely to arrive in the mail...

Is it wrong that I am already thinking about Christmas and it is just mid-October? Usually I am one of those people running about the city trying to hunt down the perfect gift 2 weeks to Christmas and wrapping them all the night before I leave for my parents' place. I am determined for that not to happen this year (see number 18 on the list).

So while I am thinking about what I want to get people, naturally I am also thinking about how to make sure the packaging is pretty. These gift buckles from etsy seller dsharp are really a charming idea...

I am also pondering if I want to use this pretty lace paper for the holiday cards or in place of ribbon on the gifts...