Free Printable Friday: Last-Minute Foldable Gift Boxes

Ingredients:

• 10 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 3 packets rapid rise yeast
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 3/4 cup milk
• purple, yellow and green food coloring (we used a mix of McCormick neon and assorted food coloring)
• plastic wrap
• dish towel
• printable bread label

Instructions:

1. Mix one cup of flour, one tablespoon of sugar, one teaspoon of salt and one packet of rapid rise yeast in a mixing bowl.
2. In a microwaveable bowl, mix 3/4 cup of water, 1/4 cup of milk, one Tablespoon of butter and about 10 drops of food coloring. Microwave on high for 45 seconds.
3. Pour liquid mixture into the dry mixture and mix throughly. Once mixed, slowly add another 2 1/2 cups of flour.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each color of dye.
5. Rip apart the colorful dough into small pellets and twist together to form a rainbow marbled effect.
6. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and a dish towel and let it rise for one hour.
7. Cut the risen dough into three equal loaves, place into greased pans and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

This bread will yield three loaves of Mardi Gras goodness, so make sure you have enough of all the ingredients. Grab a mixing bowl and mix 1/3 of the dry ingredients together — one cup flour, one Tablespoon of sugar, one teaspoon of salt and one packet of yeast.

Grab a microwaveable bowl and mix 1/3 of the wet ingredients together — 3/4 cup of water, 1/4 cup of milk, one Tablespoon of butter and about 10 drops of food coloring. Microwave for 45 seconds on high.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Let’s also just call attention to that awesome purple color :)

Mix the wet and dry ingredients together, and then start slowly adding in another two and a half cups of flour. Mix it all the way until it forms one huge ball of dough.

Repeat the first set of steps for each color. Each will yield one loaf but we will be mixing the colors together to form rainbow magicalness.

Last but not least — the green! Don’t be afraid to try other colors. This is a great recipe to create any holiday loaf. (Don’t be surprised if we do it for Fourth of July too!)

Once you have all three loaves, pull apart each color into little pellets. Layer the colors when you put them in the bowl to get maximum color variation.

Use your hands to give this mega loaf a good couple of twists.

Cover with plastic wrap and a dish towel and let the dough rise for at least one hour.

Divide your loaf into three sections and place into a greased pan. If you don’t have a loaf pan, you can totally make a rounded loaf in a cake pan or on top of a cookie sheet. Bake for 30 mins at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wait for the bread to cool and then slice into magical rainbow bread.

If you’re nice enough to gift one of these loaves, we suggest printing out a bread wrap printable and hand-lettering a fun saying. Tie up with some baker’s twine or embroidery floss.

Sadly, there is no baby inside of this sweet dessert. But hey, we’re totally all for you continuing the King Cake tradition and adding the little trinket into your sweet loaves. Just remember to warn your guests ;)

Add sprinkles and enjoy!

Pixel Weave Gift Wrap

The pixel weave is an old classic here at Brit HQ — our co-founder, Anj, introduced it waaaay back in 2011! We thought we’d give this weave method a little V-Day spin for these gifts.

Tools + Materials:

— wrapped gift

— paper (2 colors)

— tape

— paper cutter or scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut your paper into one-centimeter-wide strips.

2. Line up your first set of paper strips in a row on top of your wrapped gift. Fold the strips where they meet the edge of the gift box, then tape each strip to the side.

3. Weave the second color through the taped strips to create a heart pattern.

4. Tape down the second side of your first set of strips once you’ve finished weaving. Then carefully tape down the other set of strips.

To begin, cut one-centimeter-wide strips of paper in two different colors. We cut nine strips in dark pink and eight strips in light pink.

Next, line up and center the first set of strips on your wrapped gift. Fold each strip where it meets the edge of the box, then carefully tape each strip to the side. You can use double-sided tape for this step if you don’t want your tape to show.

Now, for the fun part! Carefully weave each strip of your second set through the taped strips. Study these images to get the heart shape down, or go rogue and make your own pattern. It’s kinda hard to make a pixel weave look ugly, so have fun with it! When you’ve created the pattern you like, tape down the second side of the first set, then tape each side of the second set of strips.

This technique would also work using yarn, ribbon or fabric strips. There you have it! You just gave your V-Day gift a facelift in less than five minutes.

Confetti Tape Gift Wrap

We challenge you to find an easier way to dress up your gift wrap. Seriously.

Tools + Materials:

— wrapped gift

— confetti

— double-sided tape

Instructions:

1. Place a strip of double-sided tape on your wrapped gift.

2. Cover your tape in confetti. That’s. It.

First, place a long strip of double sided tape on your present. You can keep it simple with one strip, or add more to amp up the drama.

Next, place your confetti on the sticky tape. Because we used large confetti, we placed each piece on one by one, but you’re welcome to us a “dip” effect, too. The smaller the confetti pieces, the harder it is to mess this one up :)

Another pro tip — go with a very simple wrapping paper pattern if you’re using multicolored confetti. This way, the viewer’s eye will not feel overwhelmed by all of the differing shapes and colors.

Look at that gorgeous gift wrap! A little confetti goes a long way, huh?

Peek-a-Boo Heart Gift Wrap

Like with the confetti tape hack, using simple wrapping paper patterns is best with this technique.

Tools + Materials:

— wrapped gift

— wrapping paper

— pen or pencil

— X-Acto knife

— scrap paper

— tape

— cutting mat

Instructions:

1. Make heart stencils: Draw different-sized hearts on your scrap paper, then cut each out with your X-Acto knife.

2. Trace half of each heart stencil onto your wrapping paper.

3. Cut along the traced lines with your X-Acto knife, then fold over the cut piece so that it creates a heart shape.

4. Tape the wrapping paper to your wrapped gift. Voila!

First, draw different-sized hearts on your piece of scrap paper, then cut them out with your X-Acto knife. These are your stencils for the peek-a-boo hearts.

Trace HALF of each heart stencil onto your wrapping paper, and repeat as many times as you’d like. Be sure to space out each trace so that they won’t overlap when you eventually unfold each heart. When you’ve drawn all of your half-hearts, cut along the lines with the X-Acto knife. Then fold over your cut piece to create a full heart.

Once you’ve unfolded all of your hearts, tape the wrapping paper to your wrapped gift. Be careful as you fold and tape the paper, ensuring that you don’t squish the folded hearts.

Not that we’re picking favorites… but this technique is kind of our favorite ;)

Follow us on Pinterest and subscribe to our newsletter for more Valentine's gift wrap ideas!

This post has been udpated.

Cantaloupe, Prosciutto and Rosemary on Triscuits

The combo of smooth fruit, salty prosciutto, and fresh herbs (plus the crunch of your favorite cracker) is literally mouth-watering. (via Brit + Co)

Crescent Roll Cornucopia

This isn't your average cheese-board. The DIY cornucopia is easier than it looks and it's both delicious and Instagram-able. (via Brit + Co)

The Easiest Baked Brie

Brie is a great app because it goes so well with so many other things: veggies, meat, fruit, crackers. You name it, this melty cheese will pair perfectly. (via Brit + Co)

Baked Gruyère in Pastry with Rosemary and Garlic

Store-bought puff pastry makes this recipe a cinch, and there's nothing better than when it's wrapped around melted gruyere with honey, rosemary, and garlic and baked. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyère and Pistachios

Does anything sound more autumnal than butternut squash dip? Negative. Make it cheesy with gruyère and add a salty crunch with pistachios. (via Feed Me Phoebe)

Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad

Salad is a necessity for your Friendsgiving meal, and this one makes a great first course. Good luck trying to keep everyone from filling up before dinner. (via Creme de la Crumb)

Apricot Ricotta Honey Basil Bites

If you have other dishes to prepare, no-cook appetizers are a great way to keep your guests satisfied without having to make more room in the oven. These ripe apricots are stuffed with honey-sweetened ricotta and topped with basil and tangy balsamic. (via Reluctant Entertainer)

Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are definitely a love-it-or-hate-it veggie. Pro tip: if you wrap it in bacon, people will be a lot more likely to love them. (via Fit Foodie Finds)

French Baked Brie Recipe with Figs, Walnuts and Pistachios

When you’re planning out your perfect Friendsgiving menu, remember that you can’t go wrong with warmed brie. Serve with your favorite multigrain crackers and watch it disappear before your eyes. (via The Mediterranean Dish)

Baked Figs with Goat Cheese

In just 15 minutes you could be serving your friends this luxurious hors d’oeuvre. Switch things up and stuff with your choice of blue cheese, goat cheese or ricotta. (via Happy Kitchen Rocks)

Bite-Sized Blooming Onions

Cipollini onions make the perfect miniature alternative to a big ol’ blooming onion. This way, everyone can have as many as they want without having to share. (via Macheesmo)

Butternut Squash Deviled Eggs with Bacon

Give your traditional deviled eggs a fall twist by adding butternut squash to your filling. Top with crispy bacon to balance the sweetness and add a smokey quality. (via Snixy Kitchen)

Cranberry Orange Cheese Ball

This is *not* your grandma’s cheese ball. Cranberry and orange give it a seasonal flavor and sweetness that’ll rival the meal’s desserts. (via Chef in Training)

Honey Crisp and Goat Cheese Ladyfinger Crostini Appetizer

Did you think ladyfingers were only for tiramisu? Think again! Switch from your usual baguette crostini and top the cookies with apples and goat cheese. (via Reluctant Entertainer)

Perfect Fall Cheese Board

Fruit, olives and gouda — oh my! Building the perfect cheese board is an art you can master. Hint: layering different textures and heights is key. (via The Pioneer Woman)

Roasted Grape Crostini With Lemon Ricotta and Honey

Don’t underestimate the power of a honeyed crostini. When that warm grape pops in your mouth… pure bliss. (via Parsnips and Pastries)

Mashed Sweet Potato Bacon Cups

If you can boil potatoes, you can make these cups. They require only six ingredients, and your squad is sure to fall in love with them. Winning! (via Real Simple Good)

Parmesan Asparagus Tart

You *finally* have a reason to use that puff pastry in the freezer. Between the flaky crust and creamy Parmesan-ricotta topping, this may just be your new favorite starter. (via Neighbor Food)

Baked Samosas

Traditionally, samosas are made with sheet phyllo dough and folded into triangles. Opt for that if you have more time, or try a quick version using pre-made phyllo cups. (via Gimme Some Oven)

Sausage, Spinach and Mushroom Phyllo Cups

These bite-size treats are as easy as sautéing the filling ingredients together and popping the filled cups in the oven to melt the cheese. They’re quick, foolproof and, most importantly, delicious. (via Nutmeg Nanny)

Savory Pumpkin Hummus

Okay, you’re most likely going to have pumpkin pie for dessert, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have pumpkin in your appetizer too. This hummus is ultra savory, so even if you don’t like pie, you’ll love this. (via As Easy As Apple Pie)

Easy Slow Cooker Apple Cider Maple Meatballs

Using frozen meatballs and a slow cooker saves you a ton of time come party day. Don’t be afraid of them turning out bland, though. Apples, apple cider and maple syrup make that impossible. (via Mom on Timeout)

Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Bread

You can’t go wrong with a classic flavor combination like spinach and artichoke. Stuff in a hollowed loaf of Italian bread and slice to serve. (via The View from Great Island)