DIY Toddler-Friendly Holiday Gift Wrap

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WrapGiveRepeat #CollectiveBias

Confession: Last year the holiday decorations didn't even make it out of storage. I was newly pregnant and so so sick (I still refer to those early days with the twins as the Dark Ages), my toddler was too little to understand the holidays anyway, and my husband never got around to it, what with finals and then packing everyone to leave for Christmas.

Let's just say this year I'm making up for it. Fine, maybe I'm overcompensating. But hey, my toddler is old enough to get it this year, and it has been SO fun decorating with her and teaching her all about the season.

I really want to focus on giving this year (Remember this post? Are you participating in the day of service on Thursday?). In fact, the sponsor of my post today, Scotch® Brand, is donating $200,000 to Fisher House this season, a charity that provides comfort homes where military families can stay while a loved one is receiving treatment. So, yesterday when the twins were napping, we made some holiday gift wrap together and talked about giving presents.

I love the look of craft paper as a wrapping paper, so all our DIY gift wrap was made from the same base. And with just a few more items, you can make DIY wrapping paper four ways. It's toddler friendly, budget-friendly, and adorable. Here's how.

1. COOKIE CUTTER STAMP

Spread a large length of craft paper on a clean surface. Pour some acrylic paint onto a plate (acrylic paint is usually pretty good at wiping off when you're done, but better use a disposable or plastic plate to be safe). Turn the cookie cutters upside down (to expose the thickest edge) and dip into paint, then stamp on craft paper.

This one was so easy, and my toddler absolutely loved it. We got a cheap set of cookie cutters from Walmart (I think they were $1.99) and have used them for both cookies and crafts already.

2. POTATO STAMP

This one is similar to the first one, except I made a potato stamp instead. Quick potato stamp tutorial: Cut a large potato in half. Use a knife to carefully carve a simple shape (well, if you're more talented than me, I guess you don't have to stick to a simple shape). I'd recommend a simple star or Christmas tree if you're a beginner. Pat the potato dry, and then dip it in acrylic paint and stamp on craft paper. I could usually get 3 or 4 stamps out of one paint dip.

3. GLITTER CRAFT TAPE

This one is so easy. Wrap the present with plain craft paper (it's a heavier paper, and I found the Scotch® Magic™ Tape worked best to secure the folds down). Then, use glitter craft tape to decorate the gift any way you want. (My toddler wasn't into putting the glitter tape on the present, and wanted to make herself a shoe from the tape instead? Figures.)

4. METALLIC PERMANENT MARKER

Wrap the present with plain craft paper (again, the Scotch® Magic™ Tape worked best for holding the heavier paper in place). Then use a metallic permanent marker to decorate the gift with the recipient's name, a holiday scene, or whatever you like. My toddler loved this one, and in fact, the backs of most of these presents are covered with her scribbles. This is an easy and fun way to personalize the gifts. Add a large ribbon as a final touch.

^^I know what you're thinking. How does she draw such symmetrical trees??

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE ALL FOUR IDEAS

craft paper
scissors
Scotch® Magic™ Tape 3 Pack Caddie
acrylic paint
cookie cutters
glitter craft tape
large ribbon
potato

We picked up everything from Walmart (check out the cute elf packaging for the tape!), and although I already had the scissors, potato and ribbon at home, our total was less than $12, which is fantastic considering the number of hours this entertained us for, and the darling final product. (Plus, grandparents go crazy over homemade wrapping paper.) This is a great time to stock up on wrapping supplies at Walmart early and save with 50% off and Rollback prices as well.

What are you doing to give this holiday season?

Other favorite DIY gift wrap ideas?

There are lots more great ideas here too.

how to write an awesome pitch email

I've sent (and received) many pitch emails during the course of my blogging career. Sometimes I'll never hear back from the company, or they'll tell me I'm not a great fit for them. But many of my emails have turned into really successful, awesome collaborations. (Recent favorites that came out of pitch emails can be found here and here. Can you tell I'm on a baby product kick?)

I've learned a lot about pitch emails over the years, and I want to share my tips with you. I believe blogging should be about sharing success, not hoarding it for ourselves, so read on to learn how to write an awesome pitch email!

WHAT IS A PITCH EMAIL?

If you understand cold calling, you'll understand a pitch email. In the business world, cold calling is when you call potential future customers out of the blue and try to get them interested in your product. Pitch emails are the blogging equivalent. A pitch email is an email you send to a company that will hopefully begin a business partnership with their product or brand. In a pitch email, you introduce yourself, your product, and your collaboration ideas.

Here are some tried and tested ways to improve your "cold call" pitch emails:

1. DO YOUR RESEARCH

I can't tell you how many pitch emails I've received that say something like, "Hello Silver Lining, Are you interested in posting about X product?" I honestly don't even open the full email. It goes straight to the trash! If they didn't take three seconds to learn my name, they're not a company I want to work with.

Research who you're pitching to! Take a few minutes to browse their website, favorite their Etsy page, like their Facebook page, or retweet them on Twitter. Find the specific name of the person you're emailing. This shows your potential collaborator that you're serious, interested, and willing to invest in their brand.

2. INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Spend a sentence or two telling your potential collaborator about you, your blog and your audience. Don't be shy or talk yourself down! I usually write one sentence about my blog, and one sentence about who my audience is.

This is also a great time to mention why their product is a good fit for your lifestyle. Maybe their product solves a problem you had, or looks beautiful in your home, or makes your work day three times easier. Tell them why you are the perfect person to promote their product.

3. PITCH!

This is where you tell the company your awesome ideas for working with them. Whether it's a product review, or working their product into a lifestyle post, or including them in a curated list you're making, this is where you get to say your specific ideas for working with the company. Include an estimate of how many times you'll promote your post and their product on your social channels.

I like to pitch two clear ideas. One usually is more comprehensive, and one is less involved. That way, companies feel like they have options and can begin talking about which option would work best for them.

4. SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS

In one of my very first pitch emails, I felt it was too brazen and forward to ask for money right away, so I kind of skirted around the payment issue until the very end of our collaboration, only to find out we both had different (unsaid) expectations about compensation. It became a terrible sticky mess while we sorted things out.

This is not the time to be shy about payment and compensation. This is a business email, so don't be afraid to get down to business! Be very clear and specific. The details can be worked out in later emails, but make sure to mention if you're expecting to be paid in product or actual dollars right from the start.

5. THANK THEM AND INVITE THEIR FEEDBACK

You're almost done! Ask your recipient their thoughts, which option might be the best fit, and if they have any specific promotions or new products coming up they might like you to rave about. As always, end with thanking them for their time.

6. ATTACH YOUR MEDIA KIT

Don't forget to attach your media kit! At the very least, leave links to your main social sites, and your monthly reach and audience size. That way, the company can combine your numbers with your creative pitch ideas to get a feel for what working with you would be like.

And that's it! My pitch emails tend to be about three paragraphs long. If you follow this format, you'll end up with a clear, concise, professional pitch email that will impress potential clients and start a great business dialogue with them. Don't be afraid to send a quick follow-up email if you don't hear from them after 4-5 business days.

What tips do you have?

What do you like to see when someone sends you a pitch email?

Any other great ideas for improving pitch emails?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!