Christmas in July! Fruit Crate Gift Carrier {Plus A $100 Giveaway}

Happy Sunday and it’s day two of our Christmas In July series! Yes, I know the thermometer is at 90 degrees or (yikes!) even higher, but let’s cool things down with some imaginary snowflakes and Christmas magic! We might be melting on the beach or by a pool right now, but friends, we’ll be decking the halls in just about five months. I can’t wait!! It’s never too early to get a jump start on holiday crafting. I’m so excited to be joining six wonderful bloggers to share some Christmas inspiration with you. Plus, we’re spreading a little early holiday joy with a chance to win either a $100 Target or Amazon gift card (your choice!) so you can get an early start on some craft supplies – or holiday shopping!

You know I love using old things to make new things! It’s summertime and all I can think about is amazing, summer fruit. How is fruit delivered to our markets? In fruit crates! So we’re taking a simple and FREE fruit crate, (just ask the kind produce manager at your local market) swirling a little Christmas cheer and making an adorable Fruit Crate Gift Carrier. It’s summer meets Christmas! Ok, so fruit is in crates all year, but I’m taking a little snow covered liberty! Some ideas for how to use this jolly crate at the end of the post.

So a fruit crate – it’s not very pretty or exciting, but it’s strong – it’s usually packed with heavy fruit. Keep the lattice top piece that comes with the crate – we’re totally using that to reinforce the bottom.

First, I gave the crate a coat of primer. I wanted this baby to really say “Christmas,” so I spray painted it a glossy, apple red. I found out trying to take a photo in a haze of spray paint and sun makes it looks like we’re on Mars! It’s the red planet, though, right? So it totally fits our theme!

Once the crate is dry, it’s time to have fun decorating. I decided to make this “Special Delivery” straight from the North Pole! I took some chipboard letters to spell Special Delivery, painted them white and glittered them with Martha Stewart White glitter. I used craft glue to adhere the letters to the front of the crate, along with some flat backed holly buttons and some holiday flowers. Plus a lot of glitter on me…of course….do you think it was the glitter or the Cindy Lou Who Christmas hat I was wearing to get in the spirit that raised a few neighborly eyebrows?

Moving on! Where is our special delivery from? Straight from the North Pole, of course! I used these cute letters from a pack of Martha Stewart holiday paper and added a little Stickles to the berries for some sparkle. This side of the crate is finished with some pearl button snowflakes and tiny sparkly buttons in red, green and white, plus a heart formed from two candy cane embellishments – because Christmas is love.

Once our gift carrier is loaded up, we need to make sure it gets a an extra gentle touch, right? Using Microsoft Word, I made two little signs that say “Fragile – Handle with Care.” Some chipboard embellishments wrap up the sides, including this sentiment that I love – “The Joy is in the Giving.” I gave the whole crate a couple coats of spray acrylic sealer.

I took that crate top, covered it in white felt and put in the bottom of the crate for extra strength, to cushion our gifts and make it look all snowy. Ok, I didn’t do a very neat job on the felt, but hopefully no one sees the bottom and you won’t tell, right? ?

Of course, I HAD to get some pompoms in! I made four big, fluffy pompoms in red and white, and tied them on each corner with big jingle bells. A few red and green buttons glued across each handle and our crate is totally ready for Santa! Of course, I had to fill our crate up with some holiday treasures so you can see how cute it looks all decked out! You might just spot a future project in there!

This would be great to fill and transport gifts as you visit family and friends on Christmas Day. How about keeping it filled with little treats by your front door to share with guests or neighbors over the holidays? Or keep it at work – I guarantee you’ll be the most popular person in the office! Fill this up and make it one fantastic gift for a special family! If you participate in a holiday adopt a family at work or church, wouldn’t this be a lovely way to share your gifts? Last idea – personalize for the special little one in your life and fill with little goodies. I’m all about a gift in a gift – if you fill this up and give it away, you’re giving someone an extra gift. They can use this for many, many years – and YOU will always be a part of their holiday season and their hearts.

What do you think? Super cute, isn’t it? The possibilities are absolutely endless! Grab a couple of crates and go to town! Christmas town, of course! I have a few other versions brewing in my holiday head, so just maybe, a whole different version might show up later this year!

This has been SO much fun! Make sure to visit Claire at A Little Claireification to see her darling project from yesterday! Perfect to put in this crate and I promise, we did not plan this at all! I cannot wait to see what Jamie from C.R.A.F.T. shares tomorrow afternoon, so please visit her! Calendar the whole week and visit each of our talented ladies – you will definitely be in the holiday spirit by the end of the week. I know you’ll be singing carols, too! Now, I’d better put this Christmas hat I’ve been wearing for inspiration safely away until November and try AGAIN to de-glitter myself.

If you are as Crazy for Christmas as I am – join me on my Pinterest Crazy for Christmas board! I LOVE my Christmas board!

Don’t forget the gift card giveaway for a little early holiday jingle in your pocket! Your choice of a Target or Amazon gift card.

Merry Christmas in July! I loved sharing this with you and thank you so much for sharing part of your Sunday with me!

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