Trying to be more 'green' this Christmas...

[Nicolecat]

I thought I could put my design skills to use, and put together gourmet cocoa & coffees baskets for my family and friends.

Coffee mugs, homemade cocoas & coffees, peppermint sticks, chocolate dipped spoons & and a small personal momento.

Here's what I have so far for the cocoa labels.
(I found the recipes online...so I'm trying them out this weekend, before I make them in bulk.)

Thoughts?

Oh, yeah...My father's side of the family has italian heritage (thus the italian flair). From what I could find the quote roughly means, "Life is too beautiful to think it is granted." (Anotherwords, "Don't take life for granted).

 

[stainlessliquid]

The first one feels really moroccan. The shapes and the red and gold are are like stereotypical moroccan stuff (just looking on google I found this which has the same main shape http://www.yogitea.com/Photos/OurTeas/MoroccanOrangeSpice.gif which they use a lot). The fringe could be seen as a henna design too.

I would avoid the red and stick with brown, I get more of a 50's vibe from those rather than moroccan.

 

[LeviG]

I agree with stainlessliquid in that to me atleast they're not italian, they seemed to give off an indian (curry) type vibe when I looked at them.
Personally speaking italy always say cream green and deep red to me but I suppose you could argue thats the stereotypical colours which we become accustomed to.

 

[wongulous]

I suggest swapping out the stripes and fringe detail for crackled paint and/or venetian plaster. Here are some examples for textures that you could source:

http://images.google.com/images?q=crackled paint
http://images.google.com/images?q=venetian plaster

 

[Nicolecat]

I suppose I didn't fully explain...
I wanted the italian verbage with a christmas feel...The shape in the background is a retro ornament. The warm colors were supposed to make you think of the cocoa/coffee drink mix flavor.

Am I still off?

 

[LeviG]

In my opinion even with what you have said it still is off in my opinion.

The background image doesn't look like a christmas ornament to me and the colours really don't make me think of coffee/cocoa either - sorry

 

[Whimsy]

I didn't think that they were THAT off/bad. I actually think they're pretty nice and coffee-esque. And besides, it's a gift for family and friends. I don't think they're going to be critically analyzing the cultural correlation of the design. I like it.

 

[stainlessliquid]

I suppose I didn't fully explain...
I wanted the italian verbage with a christmas feel...The shape in the background is a retro ornament. The warm colors were supposed to make you think of the cocoa/coffee drink mix flavor.

Am I still off?

Like I said, the brown ones gave me a 50's vibe, which is what youre going for. The red ones are off, theres just too much moroccan/middle eastern stuff. I would stick with different shades of brown if you want to keep that shape.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

Italian or Morrocan, I really like them they look nice.

 

[GoCubsGo]

In for 1.

Wait sorry, I like them all.

 

[Scooby_Doo]

I agree with some of the earlier posts questioning how well the old Christmas decoration in the center matched the overall feel of the piece.

I think the sharp angles on it don't easily give off the Christmas vibe in this day and age. Perhaps something more soft shaped would help.

I do like the geometric trees and the stripes in the background. That is a good start. Perhaps going to a more contrasting, red, green, and gold (or perhaps silver) color scheme would bring out the Christmas time feel more.

 

[wongulous]

Could we possibly persuade you to post the recipes?

I was mocking up what I thought would be cool, and I realized it was totally my aesthetic and that I actually really liked this idea. I have a friend who, a couple of years ago, made their own little package of delicious goodies and had printed on the package a special label noting the gift-givers' faux brand, as well as how they had been "made with love... and a terrifying amount of butter." LOL.

 

[Nicolecat]

Sure... But you have to post what you've done...it's only fair.
(For each of these...the serving directions are 2 spoonfulls to one cup of hot water)
Raspberry Cocoa
3 Cups of favorite cocoa mix
1 pkg. of Unsweetened Kool-Aid
(Flavor or Choice)
Mix in blender until it becomes a fine powder.

Cinnamon-N-Spice
2/3 Cups of instant coffee
1 1/3 Cup Sugar
1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp. Nutmeg
1/2 Tsp. Allspice
Mix in blender until it becomes a fine powder.

Cafe Mocha
2/3 Cup Instant Coffee
3 TBS. Unsweetened Cocoa
1 1/3 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Nondairy Creamer
1/4 Cup Nonfat Dry Milk
Mix in blender until it becomes a fine powder.

Cafe L'Orange
2/3 Cup Instant Coffee
1 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp. Dried Crushed Orange Peel
1/4 Tsp. Cinnamon
Mix in blender until it becomes a fine powder.

I'm trying to remember where I found these...
Here it is...
www.thriftyfun.com
There's more ideas there...the recipes are about 3/4 of the way down the list.

I actually found a great idea on how to package recipe cards with the homemade goodies as well...
From Martha Stewart...Go Figure.

Have Fun!

 

[wongulous]

Sweet, thanks!

They're just color variants on this... I'm not sure if I'm going to make all 4 yet. Thanks for this awesome idea!

Also, eww, the thumbnail looks nasty. Click for larger.

 

[Harmush]

i like that but am not sure if i prefer the original. the one above is very cool however but am just not sure it makes me think Christmas. it would be perfect for like a girls bath type present however. but Italian coffee....

i m goin to try one of those recipes now lol. they look bloody nice!!!

 

[nidserz]

I like the desings. They do give off a christmassy vibe, but especially seem tea bag/coffeish.

Im a fan, great idea!

 

[robbie198x]

I agree. The 2nd attempt is def lots better. but while it does have more depth to it, im not sure if it makes me thing christmas... looks more like a cook book cover. Maybe some x'masy elements?

Looking good tho!! Please do share any other versions u come up with