Food display/packing ideas and inspiration

Happy Monday everyone! just a few days before I go back to my "real" day job :o(   I am certainly gonna miss seeing my little guy all day long! How many of you have kids going off to school for the first time?

Sending you some inspiration on food presentation today.  Don't forget about tons of older, but still fresh!, Frosting for your goodies here (link)

Dress up any container with a festive napkin! (image from Zulily email)













Another simple touch... wrap sandwiches, cookies, etc in wax paper, a little twine and using a craft punch, punch out a coordinating shape! Source

Need a quick favor presentation idea? Kraft boxes and a clipping from the yard! Source



















 

Party food presentaiton: wrap it up!

First, I caught a cold :o( ...second, I should do a post like this every week! Food presentation is one of my favorite topics! My house is full of papers, twine, boxes, etc to turn every home baked morsel into a fancy treat!

Here are some inspirational ways to wrap up your goodies!

Seriously... do you see what I mean?! Simple mini loaf tied with fabric scrap and disposable fork - goes from plain yummy to insanely AWESOME! Source

How fun (and inexpensive!!) is this idea?! Coffee filter folded, insert cookie add strip of fun paper! Source

Another super inexpensive idea... roll doilies into cones and fill with snacks! Pretty enough for any baby shower, girlie or vintage theme or wedding! Source

Kraft paper details

I so was planning on baking tonight, but a late night at work, it's all about veggin now! ...there is always tomorrow ;o)

Here are a few ways to Frost your next event with Kraft paper/paper bags...

Stamp on craft paper tags and attach with bakers twine to create a kitschy touch! Source

Cut circle and write ingredients for a great dressed up homemade feel! Source

Use a punch and a tag to turn a simple paper bag into a fantastic gift bag! Source

Use a large frame and some ribbon to hang decorated paper bags for a favor center! Source

Food packaging ideas/inspiration

If you follow me, then you know I love to show you ideas to make simple foods look like a million bucks with just a little touch of "frosting"...

You don't have to package chocolate cake for me, I'll take it in any form! ...but it sure does look beautiful here! Using a round cookie cutter, create little round pieces, wrap with kraft paper and tie with string... the chocolate covered cherry and powered sugar don't hurt either ;o) Source

Speaking of kraft paper and twine... so simple yet gosh this is beauty in my eyes! Though I love simplicity, you could add some "extra frosting" by using a potato stamp or print a saying on the paper first... Source

Take paper bags, punch the fold with a paper punch (like Martha Stewart line), attach simple tag and ta-da! instant cuteness! Source

Ribbon makes everything prettier, don't you think?!? Red gingham ribbon on muffins - SO easy! so adorable! Source

Simple favor packaging details!

First, 2 things - 1. Check out my guest post on Cupcakewishesandbirthdaydreams! 2. The Coons Family - you have until tomorrow night to let me know your contact info for the giveaway or we have to have a new winner!

How you present food is as important as it tastes! There are millions of ideas, but here are a few small details to frost your next edible favor!

Always stack up beautifully packaged edible gifts for your guests! Here a ribbon, herbs and silverware make a strong statement! Source

I love simple ideas that have impact! Simple squares of craft paper used to separate each cookie brings color and interest to your dessert table! Image lining them up in a favor box and use squares to separate too! Source

Use parchment, labels and twine to frost your homemade favor - also, you could use this idea to label different kinds of rolls being served or slices of homemade dessert breads Source

How cute are these bags?!? Rumor has it you can feed brown bags through your reg printer at home, I so need to try this! What a great way to make something so inexpensive look so good! ...p.s. I so need that tray! Source found via hiphostess blog

Speaking of brown bags... a wrap around label makes all the difference! And it can be functional too - put the flavor of the cookie/treat inside! Source

Picnic Theme!

I love a great picnic - we try to go at least once a week to the park to have one.  I also love a great indoor picnic! The kids always think that is so silly and fun! A picnic theme party would fit right in for the summer!

How perfect would this be for an invite? Source unknown

This picnic setup is just darling! Use lots of red checked fabric - if you click on the pic to see it larger, you'll see a set of mini picnic baskets for each guest in the right corner! cute! Source

Wrap up a fresh roll with silverware and a coordinating napkin, secure with twine and you have a great idea for any party! Source

How fun are these little guys?!? Metal ants would be adorable to use as napkin weights or just decoration! Source found via ilovelolliblog

Serve juice in jam or mason jars and use a metal bucket to give a more outdoor feel! I love how the tied the bandanna on for an extra pop of color! Source

...or if you are serving open glasses, try this idea! This has to be one of my favorite this year! Attach beads to 4 corners of fabric and va-la! For people like me...I would suggest cutting the fabric with pinking shears and glue buttons or something with weight to each corner and leave the sewing machine to collect more dust rofl... Source

Even something as simple as packaging cookies in brown bags with a wraparound label, a little twine in a cute basket sets the scene! Source

Nice Package ;o)

Sitting here snuggled up watching the snow pile up! It's beautiful now - until we have to shovel tomorrow! I love seeing ideas of how to package ordinary food in extraordinary ways... here are a few nice packages to inspire...

Hello! Anything packaged in chocolate is welcome in my home! You could fill these with icecream, brownies, fruit, mousse, candy... well, anything that goes with chocolate! They are made by dipping a balloon in chocolate, super simple and you will really wow your guests!  Source and tutorial

Ok, double fantastic! Doily for the cupcake and get this - edible stands!! How great of an idea is that?  You could make them any shape or color to coordinate with your theme.  I would love to see a whole dessert table lined up with these in a bolder color set! Source and tutorial  found via http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com/

These sandwiches packaged with a sleeve are WAY too cute! How simple of a jelly sandwich, but how beautiful do they look!?!? And aren't they super practical too!?! You could coordinate the paper to match any party. Who says cupcakes are the only things that should have pretty wrappers these days!?! Source   ...and p.s.  I LOVE the coordinating cutout they slide under the cake stand!

Lastly, I see a ton of cake boxes like this on my internet journeys, but this one has directions and a template for those that don't have a Cricut.  Those that do, we just have to press "cut" ;o)  I love the idea of these because guests always fill up too fast and never eat all your desserts, and lord knows I shouldn't keep THAT much leftover cake in my house to tempt me!! Just such a nice way to package up a doggie bag item without just sending it home on a paper plate with plastic wrap! Source and tutorial





Previous related post on food packaging:  Link

Package Presentation...

I feel the best way to put the "icing" on a present is PACKAGE PRESENTATION.  It allows you to take something relatively inexpensive to make and make it look high-end gourmet. Below are a few ideas I have come across...

Good 'ol Martha! This fantastic gift is simply cookies and tea bags, how easy, but it looks like you purchased from a gourmet shop! Find instructions here 

These are perfect for all the slices of pumpkin, pecan and sweet potato pie that will be dished out! How amazing would this be to hand out at work at the holidays? So much nice then a slice of pie on a paper plate, right?!?  Again, Martha Stewart! Directions here 

  This is one of the simplest ideas - just make an envelope out of any type of parchment or light paper and slide a special cookie inside... one cookie becomes a thoughtful treat!  (source)

These cupcake holders are perfect for Halloween or any event - they can be bought at Etsy but just using a double-sided scrapbook paper you could whip up endless possibilities!