GOOD ON PAPER - Christmas Wrapping

neutral classics


Ever since I can remember I wrapped our whole family's Christmas presents, and I loved it! Unfortunately for me that meant my mom did my gifts and let's just say it was easy to spot whose was whose! So if it is not your "thing" to do wrapping how about going for this classic theme spotted over at Martha. A really inexpensive and easy option but definitely makes a statement when done repeatedly. 

Plus, earlier this week over at Celebrations at Home I saw they had highlighted this amazing FREE! printable collection that will complete this "wrapping story" perfectly!

GOOD RIDDANCE - Reuse, Recycle, Renew

line a lolly


Cupcakes are all the rage - still! But I love the fact that just about every second day a new use for the liners is conjured up. How clever is this idea from One Charming Party!

GOODIES - Festive Cupcake Stand

double take


It took us two back orders, but finally the Cross Stitch Crimbo Cake Stands are now in stock in our shop! Ever since I laid my eyes on this Christmas Cupcake Stand I knew we had to get stock and lots of them. And besides the fact that these are the ideal table centrepiece for Christmas - I love the fact that you can turn the tiers over for plain polka dots - so all you do come Valentine's Day is cut the reindeer on the top off or cover him with a heart!

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Reindeer Cupcake Stand

This festive, pop-up cake stand makes a gorgeous addition to any Christmas table. Load up with sweet treats or savoury bites. 
1 card cake stand with 2 festive tiers which can be reversed. Hold approx 12 fairy cakes. 
Size: H 28cm x W 25cm
R115 each

GOOD LOOKS - Santa's Snacks

milk and cookies for Santa


In the United States and Canada, children traditionally leave Santa a glass of milk and a plate of cookies. In Britain and Australia, he is sometimes given sherry and mince pies instead. In Sweden, children leave rice porridge and in Ireland it is popular to give him Guinness or milk, along with Christmas pudding or mince pies. 

Some children also leave a carrot for Santa's reindeer, and were traditionally told that if they are not good all year round, that they will receive a lump of coal in their stockings, although this practice is now not usually followed.

What do you leave Santa? Well this year, we have the cutest addition to your little Christmas eve display – this little red and white paper platter is perfect for your little nibble, sip and munch!

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Santa Platter
A fun, disposable Santa plate with allocated spaces for a carrot, glass of milk or sherry and a mince pie. 
Size: W22cm
R30 each

GOOD SHOT - Photo Fun

MAILEG

GOOD RIDDANCE - Reuse, Recycle, Renew

not just for eggs


How clever is this little idea from Occasions? Instead of tossing your empty egg cartons - use them to serve rustic inspired canapes or cupcakes.

GOODIES - Advent Calendars

advent calendars

This year we really do have a wide range of choices for you to count down the days to Christmas. Here are a few of the fun options:

This fabric pixie advent calendar is what Maileg Denmark are famous for. In a variety of different fabric and in either girl or boy style - this is one treasure that you will anticipate using every year and even hope to share with your grandchildren one day.

For something a little bit brighter - hang up this pocket calendar on canvas - also from Maileg Denmark.

Count down the days until Santa arrives with the Meri Meri Advent Calendar. This calendar features openable windows counting up to December 24. The calendar is illustrated with Santa Claus and a reindeer decorating a Christmas tree.


And finally, my personal favourite, a nordic wooden red heart from Gisela Graham, with a paper notepad featuring numbers from 24 to 1. So you tear off a slip each day as you countdown to Christmas Day.

GOODIES - Paper Chains

chain mail


Love the idea of paper chains, but want a quick solution? How about one of these two pretty precut kits? You will be able to string up your decorations in a jiffy! And the perfect decor item to pop in your suitcase if you are away from home this Christmas.

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Cross Stitch Crimbo Paper Chains
Hang your paper chains across the fireplace or on your Christmas tree for a fun and fesitve decoration. 50 paper chains in 2 festive designs; polka dot and reindeers! 
R50 for the pack

Belle and Boo Paper Chains

These adorable paper chains will add a touch of nostalgia to any room this holiday. 4 different designs create a unique decoration for your house or tree. The chains are designed so there is no need for any sticking just a simple interlocking method holds the chains in place. 200 die cut strips in 4 double sided designs

R130 for the pack

IN GOOD HANDS - Christmas Room Decorations

deck the halls

Most Danish homes are decorated with various kinds of Christmas decorations. If there are children, there are typically many (cut-out) pixies, but otherwise fir and candles incorporated in various types of Christmas decorations are most common. 

We have lots of different craft projects for you to do this week to decorate your rooms, starting with a classic: paper chains!

paper chains

MATERIALS

Patterned Paper
Stapler/Glue/Tape

 

DIRECTIONS

Cut the paper into strips that are about 3cm wide and 10cm. 
Cut out about 30 strips. 
Paste, tape, or staple the ends of the first strip together so that it forms a loop. 
String the second strip of paper through the newly made loop. 
Again, join the ends of the strip together with glue, tape, or staples. 
Continue until you reach the desired chain length. 

TIPS
Make an advent countdown chain. Cut out 24 loops, and write a message or quote or conversation starter on each loop. Then countdown the days till Christmas by tearing off a loop each day!

GOODIES - Gingham Goodness

great in gingham


We LOVE napkins on a roll, and it seems so do you. So we got in whole new bunch including ones in gingham and polka dots! Just ideal for your Christmas braai when you want to go posher than paper. 

IMAGE

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Napkins on a Roll
A roll of tear-off cotton napkins that you can use again and again. Simply put in the wash at 40° and then iron. They give a lovely retro feel. Roll of 20.
Plain R150
Gingham or Polka Dots R175
Dinner Napkins 40cm R200

UP TO GOOD - Behind the Scenes

nature's Christmas


It is starting to feel a bit like Christmas here in Switzerland, largely because it is getting really cold and all of the Christmas decorations are going up everywhere. On the way to the girl's school I spotted this little "pop-up shop" selling all of nature's bounty. As a born-and-bred South African I was truley amazed to see "real-life" mistletoe and holly and even moreso that the store was "unmanned". Basically, everything is priced so you take what you want and pop the coins in the little metal box!


Also how cute is the little chair display with seasonal produce and even mittens as part of the look! Definitely think I need to paint a chair red now!

GOODIES - Light Luminaries

lovely lights


One of our bestsellers ever since we started In Good Company have been our white paper bag luminaries and the battery operated LED tea lights that go inside. And I can honestly say I see why! If you want to do something quick, easy on your pocket and give your party (whether it is Christmas? A Dinner party? Or a Wedding?) the WOW factor then luminaries are the way to go:
- Line them down a path
- Place them down the centre of your table
- String them up for overhead lanterns...

We have the luminary bags in four different colours (orange, pink, blue, green) and then naturally white all with a starburst design - so well suited to any event. All you need to do is open the bag, fill with sand (or if you don't have you can use just about anything: I admit to actually using washing powder once!). Then place either a normal run-of-the-mill wax candle inside or I always go with the battery operated tealight. Not only does it take the worry out of "unsupervised" flames but they last up to 40 hours and don't blow out.


IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Luminary Bag
R10 each

Battery Operated Tea Lights
Casing: white, silver and gold
R65 for 6

p.s. the bags and lights make for a "useful" Secret Santa gift and the tea lights are the perfect choice for Carols by Candlelight.

IN GOOD HANDS - Christmas Baubles

a bunch of baubles

MATERIALS
Bauble Printable
Scissors
Twine


DIRECTIONS
1. Print the printable on thick glossy photo paper.
2. Cut out with sharp scissors each of the baubles.
3. Using a wooden skewer make a hole in the top of each bauble loop.
4. Cut 20cm lengths of twine and make a loop and thread through the hole on the bauble and then take the two ends and thread back through the loop.
5. Now tie your baubles onto all sorts of things:
- Christmas Tree
- Christmas Presents
- On string and make a christmas garland
- Around candles, on a wreath, the options are endless...

GOOD SHOT - Photo Fun

cat in a bag


Eska, one our lovely customers totally made our day when she sent in this photo!


Hi,
Your gift bags give us hours of pleasure!
Regards, Eska

IN GOOD HANDS - Patterned Paper

paper pretties


With all of our Printable Collections we create patterned paper, largely because it gives everyone the opportunity to make lots and lots of additional co-ordinating items. So, for our FREE! Danish Christmas Collection we went all out and did 6 different papers that you can use:
Red Star
Green Star
Red Plaid
Green Plaid
Bird
Blue Polka Dot

Download here

We have come up with 20 different ideas? 
Did we leave any out, can you think of more?
1 Print on A3 paper or bigger and wrap all your pressies
2 Print A4 and use as placemats
3 Cut an A4 into strips and use to make paper chains
4 Cut A4 into strips and use to make napkin rings
5 Cut A4 into strips and wrap around candles
6 Punch out lots and lots of little circles, hearts or stars to make Christmas Table Confetti
7 Punch out large hearts, stars or rectangles to make gift tags
8 Cut out triangles to make bunting
9 Using different templates cut out envelopes or use to line already made envelopes
10 Using different templates make favour boxes
11 Cut out into different shapes: stars, hearts, trees etc (use cookie cutters for guidelines) and make Christmas Tree decorations
12 Make Scandinavian paper hearts - will show you how later this week...
13 Make Danish Coronets - also a project for later this week...
14 Make a Paperklip garland
15 Make Christmas crackers
16 Make your own cupcake wrappers
17 Use like you would scrapbooking paper for your photo album backdrops
18 Make Christmas Cards
19 Make little paper sweet bags
20 Make little flags for straws or canapes

SOMETHING GOOD - Bridesmaids

27 dresses


A little pic. from Martha Stewart Weddings proving that your bridal party can look amazing if you let your best buds pick their own dress and style - and only a colour palette and dress length for guidance!

GOODIES - Giant Number Balloons

I'm turning...?


Highlight the birthday girl or boy's age with our new GIANT (over a metre tall) foil (in gold or silver) giant number balloons!

IMAGE

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Giant Number Balloon
R75 each