When that new bundle of joy arrives, our ability to make dinner seems to depart. The days go by so quickly and then, around 5pm your rumbling tummy is like an alarm clock, reminding you it's time to eat. But what to make, is there even food in the fridge...these are the questions that clog your mind. This task becomes even more daunting if you have other little mouths to feed in the household.

So why not prepare a meal for your friend or loved one who is going through this exciting time. Trust me, I've been there, they will be so appreciative. And by delivering it all in a little Garnish, it will not only look great (and functional), but they won't have to worry about getting any dishes back to you. Because let's face it...dishes are the last thing on their mind!

Here's a sample meal plan for you. Lasagna (half a sheet shown here) in our white bio-pak container, orzo salad in the rounded take out, garlic toasts in the tie top bag, tomatoes and mozzarella with basil in the hinged container. Also included were the dressings, in the dip cups, for the tomatoes and some extra sauce in the deli container. Now my tummy is rumbling!

Look how cute the little baby gift is in the kraft bio-pak. Not as cute as the new baby, but pretty close!

Whatever your culinary speciality is, the proud new parents will love. Even if it's sandwiches. Because sometimes it's so much better when we don't have to cook it ourselves!

Labels: Garnish;take out containers;baby gifts

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I was that child. The one who loved back-to-school shopping. The allure of new pens and pencils, erasers and pencil cases. I didn't much like sharing my new supplies (although I did, because it was the right thing) in fear that someone might (oh, I can barely say it) put a bite mark on my beautiful writing utensil. Oh, the thought of it would send shivers down my spine! And heaven forbid the cap on my glue stick wasn't replaced just-so. Yes, I was a freak (or maybe it was pride in my new belongings, is that a stretch?!), but as the saying goes...live and learn and then get a grip!

Now, I am older and wiser, or so I like to think. But I still love shopping for school supplies, well the grown-up version, aka office supplies. Something about the innuendos of a fresh start, ambitious goals and great intentions.

If I were a teacher I would love the start of school for this reason. But then reality would set in and I would be left deflated when budgets were presented. As a result, teachers often develop wish lists for their parents because often we like to contribute where we can. Simple things, those often taken for granted, are needed to keep the classroom running and our children learning.

So my little man chose the goods for his teacher and then we added a little Garnish. I mean, why not?! I knew that his teacher would be grateful for the necessities but wouldn't it be so much more fun receiving and opening said necessities if they had a little 'Wow!' in the presentation!

Well I thought so (and so did little man) so we put all the goods in a large cardboard clamshell box with some bright tissue, ribbon and tag. This also made for easy (and safe) transport to school in his backpack (nice benefit).

While his teacher loved the donation to the classroom, she loved even more that it truly felt like a gift in every sense of the word. She felt special, little man beamed, Garnish did it's job!

Labels: Garnish, large cardboard clamshell box

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These Garnishes are as delicious for the eyes as I'm sure those 'sweet dreams' were delectable for the palate! Thanks to Kary from kary h events for sharing with us how she Garnished a recent wedding.

It is so thoughtful when a bride and groom send off their guests, after a night of whooping it up on the dance floor, with a little munchie for when they get home. This is especially nice if those guests are from out of town and don't have a fridge to raid in their hotel room for that late night snack attack!

Using our clear acetate boxes (3 inch) to serve donut holes (glazed, my fave!) along with our white paper cups (with lids) for something to wash them down, Kary created a unique and fabulous wedding favor.

Now, that's one sweet dream!

Labels: Garnish;clear acetate box;white paper cups;wedding favor

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I was perusing the land of blogs (so much talent out there!) and came across a beautiful inspiration board on which I did a quick double-take. Why the resulting neck sprain?! Because of this glorious picture from Country Living.

Hello folks...we sell that gable box! Gosh, I love it when that happens.

I love Fall and I think I'm loving it even more with the Fall inspired motif on the large white gable box. These ain't your mama's leftovers! Well, actually, I like my mama's leftovers but bringing them home in this convenient way is so much more stylish. Wouldn't you rather send your guests off with something like this rather than a plastic/foil wrapped paper plate?! Plus their laps and cars will thank you for sparing them from the inevitable slosh that will happen on the ride home.

As the bevy of Fall feasts approach, be prepared to send everyone home with a little bounty of their own. As a result you'll be able to find things in your fridge, instead of having to undo your precise engineering stacking every time you want to pull something out. And, temptation is eliminated so you'll have room in that tummy for the next feast you attend. Gotta love those win-wins! Be sure to check out all our products, there are lots of different ways to store those casserole helpings before you put them in the box.

Just have to say, Country Living referenced a big well known store to purchase these boxes. It's a shame they did not think Garnish...ours are cheaper. I'm just saying...choose Garnish and put a little extra in your wallet!

I think I just might have to host a feast of my own just so I can send home some leftovers!

Labels: Garnish; gable box; leftovers

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So I've been sitting here for an embarrassingly long time with my "create new post" window open...the orange 'publish post' icon glaring at me like some Big Brother eye saying "hurry up lady and Get It Done!". But here's my problem...I'm stuck. My brain is locked, the creative juices have run dry and it's as if my fingers have forgotten how to move across my keyboard.

Why you ask?! Well, okay maybe not, but I'll tell you anyway...because all I can think about is my need to go make me some chocolate chip cookies. I mean those morsels are literally calling my name (or is that me going slightly insane?). I can smell them, I can sense their divine gooeyness, I can imagine their scrumptious taste.

All this mind wandering of mine has lead me to the question...if this was a picture of just a plain 'ol chocolate chip cookie would I still be all a twitter? I mean, I would go for the oatmeal raisin any day over a chocolate chip. So why this cookie, why now?!

My conclusion...presentation! This picture came from a 5 year old Martha Stewart magazine, and things haven't changed much in that time. We still like our cookies and we still like things to look good. I guess that's why food stylists get paid the big bucks to lure us in. Here's the thing though, you don't need a stylist and you don't need to be lured. You know how easy it is, you know it's not rocket science, you know that all you need is a little Garnish! Before I proceed I feel the need to add a disclaimer...I think food stylists have enormous talent, they are brilliant, I could not do their job (I am not that talented!)...all I'm saying is that copying is the best form of flattery!

Back to the cookies, because as hard as I try they are not escaping me, or better yet, back to presentation. Doesn't a clever presentation just make things more fun, more enjoyable, more WOW? Can you present things beautifully but simply? Absolutely, and I think this picture is a prime example. Cookies in our loaf molds. Take it one step further and put those cookies and loaf mold inside a cellophane bag. Close it with a bit of twine or a sticker with a simple message like "YUM".

Party favors for baby showers or wedding showers or surprise your friends with a treat for the ride home (let's face it, unless they have great restraint, the cookies won't last till dawn) after a splendid dinner party. I'm thinking wedding favors, teacher gifts, and the gifts I like best of all...'just because'.

So, as the weather turns cool and our love to bake re-surfaces (hint...do you know for sure that these cookies are homemade...they could be store bought...I'm just saying, will they ever know? It's all about the thought!), think about leaving a treat on your neighbor's porch. After all, do you really need all 3 dozen cookies the batch makes?! Go ahead, share. Just don't forget the Garnish.

Labels: Garnish;loaf molds;twine;labels

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I love crafts. Well, let me re-phrase that...I love kid crafts. The simplicity (which is right up my alley...there ain't that much talent here), the nostalgia of the innocence of childhood, the reveling of your creation. I have realized that if you put youngsters together (and this works for adults too!) and keep their hands busy all of a sudden their mouths and minds open up and you can have the best conversations with your little ones. Gotta love those win-win situations!

Garnish Gal Dana loves her crafts too and decided upon a crafty theme for her daughter's birthday party. A "crafty" way to keep youngsters busy at a party. You know me, I have to share, so here's the low-down.

Dana made a batch of homemade play-doh for her party goers to take home at the end of the fete. She used the kraft squat gable box to hold two white paper bowls with lids containing the squishy fun stuff. Very cute! At the craft table the little ones got to decorate their own picture frames (so fun!). She put all the baubles and trinkets to adorn the frames in white cone cups that she then put in the kraft wine box, in which she cut some holes, so they would stand up. A sheet of kraft paper added a little protection to the table top for those a little over zealous with the glue.

It looks like it was a fantastic day and we're happy that Garnish helped with the successful celebration. Don't forget folks, crafts just aren't for girls' parties...the boys out there, they love it too. It might not be as "cool" when they're older, but I've experienced 2nd graders having a grand old time with their paint pens! Speaking of paint pens (which are fantastic I might add), if you fear the rash of angry parents because of their craft-stained children, might I offer the tip of using washable markers for the little tykes to "paint" any wooden crafts. They work great and if the kiddos get carried away with their inner Monet, it's nothing a little soap and water can't fix!

Thanks Dana and we wish your daughter all the best for a new year filled with wonderment and joyful new adventures!

Labels: Garnish; paper cones; paper bowls; squat gable box, kraft paper sheets

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