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November 30, 2016 by: Melanie

Elfing Neighbor Basket and a DIY Monogram Gift Idea

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. I’m happy to partner with these brands to bring you this Elfing Neighbor Basket and DIY Monogram Gift Idea tutorial.  #MerryAndBright  #CollectiveBias

 

Have you heard of the “Elfing” your neighbor tradition? If not, it’s a fun family tradition that you may want to start this year! Elfing involves creating a small gift in the form of a bag or basket using holiday themed items or treats and leaving it on a neighbor’s porch. The trick is to leave the gift so that they have no clue who “elfed” them. This tradition is a fun activity in which the entire family can participate. Kids especially love this activity, and it gets them included in the positive feelings associated with giving. Elfing doesn’t have to be limited to neighbors! Maybe you’d like to “elf” a co-worker or perhaps teachers at your child’s school?

Creating a small gift for an “Elfing” tradition doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Here’s how to easy assemble an Elfing Neighbor Basket, as well as a DIY Monogram plaque gift idea that you can include in the basket. The plaque can be decor or an ornament and adds a little crafty to your Christmas!

 

Elfing Neighbor Gift Basket AD

Assembling the basket or bag:

 

Begin by purchasing the items for the basket or bag. If you’re making multiple elfing gifts, gift bags will be the least expensive option. American Greetings from Walmart has a large variety of gift bags, greeting cards, tissue paper, gift wrap, stickers, ribbon, and bows to help create a fantastic elfing gift!

American Greeting Tissue Paper and Stickers AD

American Greeting greeting cards AD

American Greetings Aisle AD

 

Next, print off the free Elfing printable to include in your gift. It includes a poem and a small sign for the recipient to hang on their door after they have been “Elfed!”

Free Elfing Printable from American Greetings AD

 

If using a basket or a bag, scrunch up a plain colored American Greetings tissue paper in the bottom of the basket for support.

Assembling an Elfing Neighbor Gift Basket AD

 

For a basket, place a decorative or colored piece of American Greetings tissue paper over the scrunched up paper, and tuck it in neatly.

Assembling an Elfing Neighbor Gift Basket AD

 

Enter to win with this American Greetings sweepstakes!

American Greetings #MerryAndBright Sweepstakes

Pack the items in the basket, starting with the largest item in the back and working your way up front to the smaller items. M&M’s Fun Size items are tasty for everyone!

 

Assembling an Elfing Neighbor Gift Basket AD

 

Since we are a crafting family, we always enjoy making a small personalized item to go along with gifts. These DIY Monogram Decor pieces can also double as an ornament if you glue a ribbon on the back. Take the first letter of the recipient’s last name and make a fun piece.

DIY Monogram Plaque, Decor, or Christmas Ornament idea AD

Supplies:

  • Small wooden rectangle
  • Acrylic paint in various colors
  • Paintbrush
  • Removable vinyl
  • Transfer tape
  • Cricut Explore Air 2 or other cutting machine
  • Scraper for adhering vinyl
  • Optional for ornament: hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, 6″ of ribbon

Paint the rectangle and let it dry for at least 24 hours.

DIY Monogram Plaque, Decor, or Christmas Ornament idea AD

 

DIY Monogram Plaque, Decor, or Christmas Ornament idea AD

Create your design in your software for your cutting machine. In my case, I’m using Cricut Design Space.

Elfing Neighbor Gift Basket AD

Cut the design out of vinyl. It doesn’t matter what color vinyl; it will be covered with paint!

DIY Monogram Plaque, Decor, or Christmas Ornament idea AD

Using the transfer tape, adhere the vinyl to the transfer tape and then the transfer tape to the wooden rectangle. The vinyl is acting like a stencil.

DIY Monogram Plaque, Decor, or Christmas Ornament idea AD

 

DIY Monogram Plaque, Decor, or Christmas Ornament idea AD

 

Use the scraper to remove any air bubble close to the edges of the letter and design. Make sure the edges are tight against the wood to lessen the chances of the paint seeping under the vinyl.

DIY Monogram Plaque, Decor, or Christmas Ornament idea AD

 

Paint over the vinyl. Let it dry completely before removing. Multiple paint coats make be needed, but do not remove the vinyl until you have done all that you need.

DIY Monogram Plaque, Decor, or Christmas Ornament idea AD

Remove the vinyl. If you want to make it into an ornament, hot glue a piece of ribbon to the back of the rectangle.

DIY Monogram Plaque, Decor, or Christmas Ornament idea AD

Add the item in the gift bag or basket with the other Elfing goodies!

DIY Monogram Plaque, Decor, or Christmas Ornament idea AD

 

Elfing Gift Basket AD

 

See the cute bear? Purchase three American Greetings greeting cards, grab a coupon while in the greeting card aisle at Walmart, and get the bear for $3.47! Save even more on greeting cards with this Ibotta offer for $2.0o back on American Greetings greeting cards!

American Greetings Aisle AD

 

American Greetings Aisle AD

Who would you Elf this year?

Elfing Gift Basket AD

 

 

DIY Monogram Cheese Plate
Caramel Maple Syrup

Comments

  1. mary says

    November 30, 2016 at 8:33 am

    I love this idea! I did this to two of my neighbors a couple of years ago, and they were trying to figure out who did it 🙂 I think they discovered it was me, when I said I didn’t get an elf package. LOL! I love the monogrammed ornament idea!

    Reply
  2. Heather Brummett says

    November 30, 2016 at 2:11 pm

    I love this idea! So cute! Thanks for sharing! -client

    Reply
  3. Rachel Teodoro says

    December 1, 2016 at 12:41 pm

    What a fun idea! I love this tradition. I think my kids would love to try this.

    Reply
  4. Meaghan says

    December 1, 2016 at 3:53 pm

    We love ‘Boo’ing friends and family at Halloween, now we’re gonna be adding ‘Elf’ing to our festive fun list!!

    Reply
  5. Debi at Life Currents says

    December 1, 2016 at 6:54 pm

    What a great idea! And such a good way to get to know your neighbors.

    Reply
  6. Alli says

    December 1, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    How cute is this. Absolutely loving it!

    Reply
  7. Christine says

    December 2, 2016 at 2:11 am

    Not sure where I’ve been, but I was not aware of Elfing! We’ve Boo’d friends before, but never Elfed anyone. Great idea!

    Reply
  8. Sarah says

    December 2, 2016 at 2:25 am

    Oh my girls would love to do something like this! I’ve never heard of “elfing” before, and I think it needs to become a new tradition for us!

    Reply
  9. Angela says

    December 2, 2016 at 8:35 am

    This is such a fun & festive idea!! I’ve never heard of elfing someone~ You put together an adorable basket! Love what you did on the piece of wood. Really beautiful

    Reply
  10. Diane says

    December 2, 2016 at 11:05 am

    This is great! I’m Elfing this year and this is right in time! Love the printable, thanks so much Melanie!

    Reply
  11. Tina Dawson says

    December 2, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    How have I not heard of this wonderful tradition!!!! So much fun, not just in the neighborhood but also at work and stuff! Such a perfect way to thank those around you (and bring a smile to their day!)

    Reply
  12. Charbel says

    December 3, 2016 at 11:27 am

    I love this idea! Its always great to look for ways to make others happy this time of year.

    Reply
  13. Sarah says

    December 3, 2016 at 4:14 pm

    This is such a fun way to spread Christmas cheer!

    Reply
  14. Kim Lee says

    December 4, 2016 at 11:11 pm

    What a fun idea!

    Reply
  15. Hezzi-D says

    December 5, 2016 at 6:04 am

    How fun would it be to receive this basket during the holidays??

    Reply
  16. jamie says

    December 5, 2016 at 8:52 am

    This is great, I need to “elf” someone!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 27 Christmas Cricut Projects - A Little Craft In Your Day says:
    June 6, 2018 at 10:48 am

    […] Holiday Gifts for your loved ones using the Cricut Air2!  3.CIRCLE CHRISTMAS TREE CARDS  4.ELFING NEIGHBOR BASKET AND A DIY MONOGRAM GIFT IDEA  5.DIY HANDLETTERED HOLIDAY LIGHTBOX  6.FREE FEATHER GIFT TAG CUT FILE W/BEAUTIFUL GIFT WRAPPING […]

    Reply

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