secret Santa swap!

This afternoon I'm hosting a secret Santa swap at work! Fifteen of my gal co-workers in my department are participating ^.^

I finished the cupcake liner tree to add along with some other goodies.

However, I found out that my secret recipient came down with the stomach flew last night. So she's not here to receive her gift :(

I keep telling myself I need to shop the "swap way" for gifts for my friends. I end up having so much fun putting together a package for a person that I don't know very well. Wouldn't it be much more fun to do it for my good friends and family?!? I think that'll be my new year's resolution for 2011.

Anywho, this is what I purchased:
• gold tray, Pier One, $5
• vintage Christmas trees, Bottoms Up Antique Market, $5
• gold snowflake ornament, Micheal's for 1/2 off! $2
• one of my winter grapefruit cupcake bath fizzies
• handmade cupcake liner tree
• votive, Nell Hills, $1
• vintage frame that I made into a chalkboard + chalk, $4

Our budget was $20. So that's $17 and then add in a few dollars for supplies.

I knew I wanted to try to make the cupcake liner tree and I decided on a cream and gold color pallet and I picked up a few items here and there as I ran errands around town. That's why just about every item is from a different shop. The other trick was I started gathering items in early November. Pretty good, huh?

I'll have pics from the party later on tonight...

P.S. Here is the how to on the cupcaker liner tree.