Gather up boxes that you can neatly and carefully pack everything up into.  Here’s a tip: Re-organize storage bins to maximize space and re-use the gift boxes from the holidays instead of buying new ones to store your things in (Pictured below: a shirt box, a box that came with a mug and one large mailing box).

Label your boxes with the coordinating items inside and when putting away, arrange them so that labels are easily seen and organized for your convenience when you take them out next year! 

If you pack smart now you’ll be able to spend more time later doing the things you really love with family and friends!

Some holiday items to consider organizing to keep you ahead of the pack:

• Special plates & dishes
• Ribbons and Bows
• Wrapping Paper
• Greeting Cards & Gift Tags
• Indoor/Outdoor Lights
• Indoor/Outdoor Decorations
• Fragile Ornaments
• Kid-made Ornaments
• Garland
• Wreaths
• Tree
• Tree Skirt

Any questions? Ask away! 

How do you use Sharpie markers to stay organized?  Leave your comments here or on Sharpie’s Facebook page!

Most likely, you have had your tree up and decorated for some time now, right? Yeah, me too.. but I had an idea after throwing a Sharpie DIY holiday party with some co-workers, where we customized and designed holiday gift wrap, cards, boxes, ornaments and more.  Ornaments, being the biggest hit, got me thinking that this would make for a fun activity to do with friends and family on a day like Christmas!

What you’ll need:

1. Plain ornaments (Matte-style work best)
2. A sleigh-full of Sharpie permanent markers

Take this in whatever direction you feel like!  If you’re a group of artists, go to town and get all artsy on the ornaments.  If you all have little to no artistic talent, scribble down favorite holiday memories, funny stories or write each other’s character traits on the ornaments (hah that one could get interesting!)  Whatever you decide make it fun! With Sharpie markers and your imagination, the direction you take it is completely up to you!

These are some of the ornaments that my co-workers and I made.  As you can see, some are more detailed than others and they all still look great!

Ornaments made with Sharpie!

Close up!

Lookin' good Ornies! (we're on a nickname basis)

Sticking with the ornament theme, you may remember these bells from back in the day or maybe your kids are at that age now and have brought them home from school.  I actually made these when I was in grade school and thought since I’m older, actually have control over my hands and have legible handwriting, I could take a second stab at this..

Every time a bell rings...

What you’ll need:

1. Small terra-cotta flowerpots (found at any craft store)
2. Tiny bells (also at craft stores)
3. Ribbon
4. A slew of Sharpie markers (I used a combo of Sharpie Water-Based Paint markers and good ol’ fashioned Sharpie Permanent Markers(not pictured))

Materials

Color the pots any color you’d like – and be sure to color a little on the inside too so that you don’t see any clay from an outside view (I had a ton of silver, red, blue and black, hence the color scheme – even Sharpie employees run low own product from time to time).  After coloring, embellish however you’d like!  When finished, thread the ribbon through the drainage hole to make a loop for hanging, then loop another ribbon inside the pot and attach a bell.  Now, start obnoxiously ringing your bells (heehee)!

These are the ones that I made…

O Christmas Tree

Draw your fav mascot or go with a college theme like this! (Rock Chalk)

Anchors away!

Lights. CAMERA. Action.

Now, just for fun I wanted to include this…   When I was out to lunch the other day with a coworker, the restaurant we went to decorated their tree with Sharpie-made ornaments!  In a timeless and classic style, employees names were handwritten on ornaments in metallic gold Sharpie.  Take a look..

Don't mind my brown gloves!

Oo I like the lighting in this one!

Sideways stocking

The Tree! Can you spot the ornaments?!

So what do you think?

How did you decorate for the holidays?  Post your pictures at www.Facebook.com/Sharpie, leave your name, favorite holiday memory, as well as how you used Sharpie markers this year! I’d like to write up a blog post and feature your Sharpie creations!  Can’t wait to see the pictures and hear how you celebrated!

Unwrap What’s Inside!

Happy Holidays!!

]]> http://blog.sharpie.com/2009/12/hows-it-hangin/feed/ 0 http://blog.sharpie.com/2009/12/sharpie-seasonal-style/ http://blog.sharpie.com/2009/12/sharpie-seasonal-style/#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:59:29 +0000 Whitney http://blog.sharpie.com/?p=2838

Bored with your plain old laptop cover?  Well, not anymore!  You can design one just like this using Sharpie markers.  Susan Wassel (Sharpie PR/Social Media) has come up with a creative and inexpensive way to design interchangeable laptop art with packing tape and Sharpie markers!   Susan uses her favorite snowflake stencil, provided by the one and only Stencil 1, to give her personal computer a seasonal touch!  Watch as she takes you through the quick and easy step-by-step process!

Share your thoughts and all the ways you use your Sharpie markers to make your everyday objects stand out!

Vist SharpieUncapped.com to get more seasonal tips to make your holiday one to remember!

UNWRAP What’s Inside This Holiday Season With Sharpie!!

Happy Holidays!

Follow @Sharpiesusan on Twitter and become a Fan of Sharpie on Facebook!

Embarrassing as it may be, I took a wonderful piece of wisdom away from one of “the Girls Next Door,” Bridget Marquardt.  While it has nothing to do with romping around the Playboy mansion with Hef, it does relate to taking pride in your work.  You see, in one episode, Bridget explained that when giving a present, she finds the importance in not only the present itself but the overall presentation as well (aka the wrapping)!

As a victim of receiving unappealing gift-wrap, (ie: a brown paper bag with “Happy Birthday” written boldly in green Sharpie over the grocery store name) I fully believe in this concept.  You should always take pride in anything and everything that you associate yourself with and put your name on.  “Lazy” gift wrapping doesn’t send the message you want (unless you plan to leave it on someone’s front door step in flames - wink, wink) nor does it reflect positively on you, the gifter!  Something like grocer gift-wrap tells me, you either A) Forgot B) Did this in the car C) Don’t care all too much about me or D) All of the above.  It may seem to be asking a lot but it really isn’t difficult to put a little creativity, personality, at least some ♥ into wrapping a present! 

Before you scoff at me, here is a perfect example of simple and thoughtful wrapping that has been created by a veteran to the Sharpie Blog, Brian Graves.  Brian was previously featured for his Sharpie art work at the J Bar in Chicago in a post entitled, “BIG Sharpie Art.”  Today, however Brian shares his take on gift wrapping… 

Attending a benefit this month, Champagne Wrap-ture 2009, this BIG artist designed his own wrapping on faux alligator paper from a local paper store with just 2 Sharpie Chisel Tip Permanent Markers!  Overlapping different quotes about France, champagne and style, Graves created this beautiful presentation to house a bottle of champagne. (Thank you for sharing  Brian!) Take a closer look..

What you need to recreate this beautiful gift-wrap:  

1. Assorted Sharpies (black plus another color works well)
2. Plain paper
3. Ribbon
4. Literacy (you’ve made it this far so guess what…)

With these same materials here are a few other inspirations created by our very own Phil Ginnodo (Associate Creative Director). Thanks Phil!

And so, if I may ask one thing of you, my Sharpie enthusiasts, this holiday season pleeease don’t be THAT person gifting poorly wrapped presents.  After all the hard work you put into choosing the perfect present why stop short?  Wrap that baby up and let it stand out as the envy of all the other gifts!

How are you adding a personal touch to gift wrap this season?

UNWRAP what’s inside this Holiday with Sharpie!

www.SharpieUncapped.com

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In the spirit of the season, throughout the month of December we will be showing you how Sharpie makes its mark on holiday gift-giving,  decorating, organizing and more!  Through all sorts of how-to videos and pictorals, we will take you through the step-by-step DIY process and show you the tools you’ll need to add a personal touch to the holidays!

Below you will find a list of 25 ways to utilize Sharpie markers to put a creative twist on all of your gift giving, decorating and organizational needs.  Come back and visit to see the how-to videos and pictorals all month long!  Happy Holidays!

1 Think Beyond a White (as well as Red and Green) Christmas – Holiday décors are getting a colorful makeover this December.  Mix it up this year with unique Sharpie marker color combos.  Re-vamp ornaments, paper goods, tree trim and more using Sharpie markers in Magenta and Lime, Turquoise and Red, Berry and Pomegranate.  Kick it up a notch with color and let Sharpie transform white to bright.

2 Tacky Times Two – Throw a tacky-themed holiday party, encouraging guests to come up with their most ridiculous holiday outfits.  Customize holiday sweaters, suspenders, ties, socks and more with Sharpie markers and create a look distinctly your own.  Get twice the tacky with Sharpie Twin Tip markers offering both fine and ultra-fine tips in one marker. 

3 Green-A-Ling – Create your very own flower pot bell ornament for the tree using Sharpie paint markers. Color small terra-cotta flowerpots (available at your local craft store) and let dry.  Personalize the pots with stars, bows, berries and other fun holiday designs.  Thread ribbon (or wire) through the drainage hole to make a loop for hanging.  Loop another ribbon inside the pot and attach a bell.

4 My Tube – Choose from among Sharpie’s 34 bold colors to decorate a roll of solid-colored wrapping paper (tissue, crepe, foil, vellum, craft paper – gift bags too).  Use a stencil or cookie cutter and trace a hand, shoe, leaf, key or other object to create a personalized motif.   Tip:  Use the wrapping paper tube as a gift box to hold kids’ artwork; wrap the tube using your new Sharpie “signature” gift wrap and ship to Grandma.

5 Sharp Cookie – Give the gift that won’t get lost – Sharpie personalized markers imprinted with the name and icon of your choice on the marker barrel.   Smart shoppers give personalized Sharpie markers to friends, family, teachers, postmen, milkmen, hairdressers, receptionists, babysitters, pet walkers, Girl Scout troops, Bunko groups, golf buddies, favorite baristas and more!  For a stocking stuffer with a personal touch, go to www.mysharpie.com to order. 

6 Sharp Bookie – Sharpie-created bookmarks are a good bet for gift-giving.  Make your mark by doodling the usual suspects – dogs, stars, hearts, swirls – or exercise your inner artist and take a stab at recreating art from one of the masters (go online to download inspirations).  Tip:  Use the Sharpie marker itself as the bookmark.  Just clip to the page! 

7 Keeper Cards – Design your own “keeper card.”  Use Sharpie markers to create personalized greeting cards, the kind that won’t wind up in the waste basket.   Kids can create personalized cards for classmates.  Kids tip:  Whip up a mod mosaic in minutes by holding a bundle of Sharpie markers in your hand and drawing circles on circles.

8 Card Jar – Keep track of cards in a holiday-themed box or jar decorated with Sharpie markers.  Use a glass or acrylic box/jar and decorate with these holiday-inspired themes in mind: candy canes, twinkly lights, mistletoe, silver bells.   *Make smaller containers for gift receipts and recipes.

9 Tree Hugger – Write your child’s name in Sharpie marker on a small silver or gold bell.  Help them find a spot on the tree and let them give the bell a ring each night before bedtime to make a holiday wish.  This will become a favorite holiday tradition.

10 Table That – The Stay-cation travel trend is continuing into the holidays.  Use time at home around the table to create one-of-a-kind holiday gifts with Sharpie markers.  Embellish socks, t-shirts, sneakers, headbands, belts, backpacks, aprons, picture frames and more.  Kids can make special keepsakes for mom; teens can get creative and add their favorite expressions.  Mom tip:  Create a family of matching tees or sweatshirts – one for everyone in the brood.    

11 A+ in Gift Giving– Send your kids to school with a present teachers can really use – school supplies!  Place an assortment of Sharpie markers in a large soup can covered in plain white paper and decorated with Sharpie markers.  Wrap it up, top with a festive bow and take your seat at the head of the class.

12 Santa‘s Sharpie – Make a list and check it twice with the Sharpie Pen.  The newest addition to the Sharpie family, the Sharpie Pen doesn’t bleed through paper and is perfect for all your holiday writing needs – and it’s now available in a retractable version!  Use it for list-making, note-cards, gift tags, journal writing, work and school – and don’t forget that important letter to Santa!  Make your mark with the Sharpie Pen in black, blue, orange, red, green, or purple.

13 Stock Up – Instead of paying to have names embroidered on holiday stockings, this year buy some white felt and create your own colorful, unique version using Sharpie markers.   Stock the stocking with Sharpie markers to make a permanent impression.

14 Draw The Line – Pick up a copy of your favorite holiday classic at a used book store and carefully remove a page.  Sketch or trace an image right over the print to make a beautiful greeting card, wall decoration, or holiday embellishment.  Laminate or frame your page to preserve for next year. 

15 A Little Flakey – Create a cost-saving winter wonderland by making do-it-yourself snowflakes. Decorate paper with the colors of the season or stay monochromatic with Sharpie Metallic silver.  Color then fold and cut into snowflake shapes.

16 Made Not Manufactured – Show family and friends how thankful you are for their gifts with homemade, colorful thank-you cards. Design one card with Sharpie markers and make copies to save money on store-bought versions.

17 Tag You’re It – Let loved ones see how truly personal the gift they are receiving is with a one-of-a- kind gift tag.  Liven up your present by adding your own unique way of stating “To” and “From” on a square of card stock.  Tie a Sharpie MINI marker to your tag for the gift tag that keeps on giving.

18 Take A Shine – What better way to top off the perfect holiday gift than with a Stainless Steel Sharpie.  Add a little extra sophistication and shine to your gift by attaching the stainless steel Sharpie with its refillable cartridge and etched logo on the barrel to the top of the package — the perfect complement to your Sharpie Metallic silver custom-designed gift wrap. 

19 Ring in the Bling – Use a Sharpie Metallic silver marker to ring in the New Year.  Add some bling by creating a silver celebration of party ware – decorate glassware, placemats, votive holders, candlesticks, party hats, favors and more.  Tip:  Use a paper tablecloth and give guests a pack of Sharpie markers as table favors so they can write their resolutions as they count down the New Year. 

20 Wax Poetic – Thinking about throwing out those old candle sticks?  Why not bring new life to them with Sharpie markers.  Use a Sharpie marker and cover them with script writing of your favorite poetic verses.  Combine with Sharpie Metallic silver accents and display year-round. 

21 Holiday Calendar Countdown – With a ruler, cardstock and Sharpie markers, draw out a calendar.  Find small holiday ornaments and trinkets around the house (buttons, pins, last year’s holiday card cut-outs – any small embellishment) and stick magnets onto the back of each.  Hang your calendar on refrigerator and use your magnetic ornaments to count down the days of your holiday season!

22 Pen The Perfect Present – Assemble a gift box full of Sharpie Pens (in all six colors – black, blue, red, green, orange, purple).  Top the gift off with several sheets of pretty stationery, perfect for the art enthusiast with a penchant for the age-old art of letter writing. 

23 You’ve Been Framed – Bring life to a plain white picture frame by doodling inspiring words around the edges in black Sharpie marker.  Insert a black-and-white photo for an elegant holiday gift.  Attach a matching hand-made gift tag with a thoughtful message.  Write your note in red with a Sharpie marker to give the gift a little pop!

24 For Keep Sake! – Start a holiday memories book.  As the holidays wind down, pass around a book of blank pages and have your family take turns writing a special holiday message.  What was your favorite moment or memory?  Best present? What are you thankful for?  Build a collection of wonderful memories and create a keepsake that can be shared for generations to come. 

25 Ahead of the Pack – Once the holidays are over, it is important to organize all of your decorations, ornaments, lights, etc. so things don’t get lost or forgotten.  Label boxes with Sharpie markers and store them away neatly.  Pack smart with Sharpie and spend time with family and friends instead!

Share your Holiday sharpie creations and tips with us too! What are your favorite ways to use your Sharpie markers during the Holidays?

Become a fan of Sharpie on Facebook!

Unwrap What’s Inside!

This is a VERY simple project and I bet that we can get through it in 5 easy steps!

Here’s what you’ll need:

A piece of cardboard/poster board, 31 small wooden ornaments, glue, a Sharpie Metallic, Sharpie Oil Based Paint markers in White (not shown below) and Metallic Gold (Metallic Silver is also available) and a Black Fine Point Sharpie.

(I used brown poster board, serving as the back of the calendar)

1st Step

Color your ornaments silver, gold and white with your Sharpie markers. 

2nd Step

After the ornaments are colored, skatter them around on the poster board to your liking and glue them down. 

3rd Step

Next, number each ornament 1 through 31 in numerical order with a Black Fine Point Sharpie.  Try using different font styles to give the calendar a little extra somethin’!

4th Step

With your Black Fine Point Sharpie, write “DECEMBER” along the left side of the calendar. 

…and VOILA!

There you have it, your very own custom made seasonal calender that can be used year after year!

This season, UNWRAP WHAT’S INSIDE and discover all the creative uses for Sharpie markers and pens!  Stay tuned for more pictorial How-Tos, Video How-Tos (plus outtakes!), gift ideas and more.

*Happy Holidays*

Here’s a little idea from a blog named chew ~

If you follow these easy steps, you’ll know just what to do ~

First get yourself a box ~

Then a Sharpie and some mox(y) ~

And soon you’ll be wrapping like this too!

Okay, so forget the rap career.  In my next life I’m coming back as a gift wrapper anyway (my mom was a gift wrapper at the Boston Store – it’s in my genes!), one who creates really awesome custom wraps like this one from chewingthecud, whose editor is a San Francisco-based designer.

I absolutely love this and am beyond impressed.  Such a simple idea executed so well.  The color pops and the black ribbon ties it off to perfection.  I’d love to receive a gift like this.  I might even find a place to put it on permanent display.  For all the quick, easy steps, visit chewingthecud.com.

Out of the box - set your inner artist free with Sharpie

Ready for giving

Details, details

This cat pretty much says it all.   Day after Thanksgiving and all I want is a couch and a Sharpie : )     This is Jasper, plucked from Kostia on Flickr.

As is tradition at our house on Thanksgiving, we did an art project with the cousins.  Previous projects have included handmade snow globes, beaded Christmas ornaments, small decorative Christmas  trees. This year we did ceramic Christmas ornaments with Sharpies.  See our fabulous results below!

It starts with a bowl o' Sharpies

My personal favorite by Aunt Suzanne

Emily's spider stocking

Sharpie stockings by Teague, Wil, Jack, Suzanne, Emily, Me, Paige

Emma's Peace

Thought I’d get a jump on the holidays with this card created by Emma, age 6.  Emma’s “Pees on -th” card (translation:  Peace on Earth) is part of the  One Million Peace Signs project on Flickr.   Check out the group’s website and blog.

Here’s what the project is about:

“Peace can start small, and every single act of Peace matters. Maybe you don’t have the time or energy to make a huge impact on Peace today…but maybe you can still commit some Little Act of Peace. And you can pass it on…right here. Brainstorm it at the dinner table and add your idea…we think it’s gonna be something we can all learn from and add to!”

Grab a Sharpie and do a Peace Doodle!

As of this posting, Emma’s photo is one of 9,006 photos from 2,988 members in 321 days.   Scrolling through the images is not only moving but inspiring.  I don’t know about you, but there are never enough ways to say “peace.”

Check out some of the amazing peace statements that have been submitted, then remember you don’t have to climb the highest mountain to spread the peace word; sometimes a Sharpie scribble is enough.

Peace.