Do you have someone’s birthday coming up to celebrate?! Need a great idea???
I’m excited to share today 101+ Birthday Gift Ideas for your Friends, including my Maple Bacon Popcorn with Happy Birthday Printables.
I am joining forces with Kristen Duke in her Birthday Celebration Week along with over 100 talented bloggers sharing lots of inexpensive ideas and free printables! All week long, Kristen is sharing birthday tips and giveaways so be sure to check out her Party.
Isn’t this a great idea?! I love the fact that so many fellow bloggers are participating in a birthday gift round up. There are so many cute and creative ideas out there for making your friends feel loved and special.
And you know me, I am all about not breaking the bank with great gift ideas. I mean c’mon, the amount things cost nowadays you pretty much have to rate your friends and only give the top 5 birthday gifts! With these ideas you can sincerely wish each and every one of your gal pals, neighbors, child’s teacher, etc. a happy birthday anytime you want without having to majorly budget for it.
{Blog Hop Birthday designs by C {dot} love}
When I was invited to participate in this gift idea blog hop I had just recently bought a package of really cute popcorn boxes. Ironically, my hubby’s birthday had also recently passed in which I gave him an entire bagful of some of his favorite things, including food items.
Ben loves bacon, I mean what person (especially men) doesn’t?! As more of a joke, I included a bag of maple bacon popcorn from the grocery store in his bag of goodies. I thought he would get a kick out of trying it. To be honest, I didn’t even expect it to be palatable nonetheless anything close to good. For some reason maple and bacon just didn’t sound like appealing flavors for popcorn.
Ummm…it was delicious! I couldn’t stop eating his birthday present. And so my idea for Maple Bacon Popcorn birthday goodies was born.
This popcorn is seriously addicting! The maple and bacon flavors marry so well together and the smokiness from the liquid smoke and dark brown sugar really enhances the bacon flavor. Plus the chili powder gives it a little bit of heat against the sweetness. Man, this stuff is good! Just writing about it makes me want to make another batch.
I was also surprised how easy it is to cook popcorn on the stove top. I cooked the bacon first and then popped the popcorn kernels in the bacon drippings for extra flavor. You can choose to crumble the cooked bacon pieces in with the popcorn if you are eating within a day, or leave the bacon pieces out for longer keeping. Just make BLT’s for lunch or dinner with the cooked pieces.
Now in order to participate in this blog hop I knew I had to buckle down and create some kind of cute printable, and I am not creative to say the least. I imagine most of my other blogging friends didn’t use clipart for their printables. Confession: I did, and I’m proud of it! Who knew you could do so much with a little clipart and your basic Microsoft Word Starter?!
Yes people, I don’t even have the real version that you have to purchase…I’m that cheap! Go ahead and print these Popcorn Happy Birthday Printables off on some cardstock or sticker paper and cut them out as an adorable exchange for those overly priced store bought birthday cards. Your friends and your wallet will appreciate the extra effort as well.
- 5 pieces maple bacon (uncooked)
- ½ cup unpopped popcorn kernels*
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¾ teaspoon liquid smoke
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons maple extract
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon chili powder, depending on taste
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- Heat a large saucepan (make sure saucepan has a lid that fits for later use) over medium heat on stovetop. Add 5 pieces of maple bacon and cook for 15-18 minutes, turning after 8 minutes and each 1-2 minutes following to avoid burning. Cook until bacon is dark, but not burnt, in color. Remove bacon, leaving drippings in skillet, and allow bacon to cool on paper towels.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and move rack to lower portion of oven.** Increase skillet heat to medium high, leaving bacon drippings in the skillet, and measure ½ cup popcorn kernels. Place one kernel in hot oil and wait for it to pop. Once kernel pops, dump the remaining kernels in the skillet. Immediately cover with lid and shake skillet over heat until the majority of the kernels have popped, about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer popped popcorn onto large sheet cake pan and spread out evenly. Remove any unpopped kernels.
- In a small bowl heat butter in microwave until melted. Add brown sugar, liquid smoke, maple extract, ¼ teaspoon chili powder and salt. Stir until sugar dissolves. Taste and add more chili powder if desired (smoky flavor reduces with cooking, so don't be alarmed if it is a bit strong in flavor). Return to microwave for 20 seconds. Stir again.
- Drizzle mixture over popcorn and quickly toss and stir to lightly coat all kernels. Bake in oven on lower rack for 4 minutes, watching carefully so it doesn't burn. Stir popcorn and return to oven for an additional 3 minutes, watching carefully again so it doesn't burn.
- Allow popcorn to completely cool. Crumble cooked bacon pieces and add to popcorn. Serve immediately.***
**Make sure to remember to preheat the oven. If you wait to do this until after you have drizzled the popcorn, the popcorn will get soggy.
***If you want to store this popcorn until later, do not add the bacon crumbles. Keep the crumbles in the fridge and add them before serving.
Now are you ready for some extra fun inspiration? Join in on the BLOG HOP! Click on each of links below each collage to see the gift idea and printable closer, along with instructions on how to make them, like mine above. I like to open a bunch of new tabs, and Pin my favorites for later. Don’t forget to follow the Birthday Gift Ideas Pinterest Board as well, to save future great ideas.
>>>>>>>Important info! Blog Hops often have glitches the first day. If the link has an ERROR, simply click on the HOME button for each site, or google the blog name next to the link, and you should see their gift post there. Links will be updated as soon as possible.<<<<<<<<<<<<
1. Birthday Balloon Gift + matching free Print by Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke
2. Stamped Cocktail Napkin + Printable by Delineate Your Dwelling
3. Buckets of Fun gift idea+Free Printable by Craftiness is Not Optional
4. 7 Candy Bar Love Notes to say “Happy Birthday” by The Dating Divas
5. Have a Flippin’ Awesome Birthday by Dessert Now Dinner Later
6. Fishtail Loom Bracelet by I Should Be Mopping the Floor
7. Lemonade Lip Balm by Pretty Handy Girl
8. Hair Tie Birthday Gift & Printable Tag by Wait Til Your Father Gets Home
9. Gift of Sunshine Idea + Free Printable by Sweet Charli
10. I hope your birthday is a whole “lotto” fun by C.R.A.F.T.
11. Chicken Spice Rub w/ Printable Tags by Over the Big Moon
12. Birthday in a Bag Gift Idea by Seven Thirty Three
13. Quick Note for your Birthday Printable by Liz on Call
14. Otter Pop Gift with Printable Gift Tag by Somewhat Simple
15. {you} Series Magnets Printable by Ruffles and Rain Boots
16. Tea Cup Succulent by Your Homebased Mom
17. Pretty Pincushion + Printable by Let’s Eat Grandpa
18. Lemon Bath Salts & Free Printable by See Vanessa Craft
19. Diet Coke Birthday Kit by Pink Peppermint Prints
20. Chocolate Filled Insulated Tumbler Gift by The Girl Who Ate Everything
21. Easy Funfetti Cake Balls with Printable by Salt and Pepper Moms
22. Hands Down Best Friend Around by Eighteen25
23. Berry Happy Birthday Printable by Stuffed Suitcase
24. Whisk Birthday Gift with Free Printable by Cupcake Diaries
25. Paper Plate Gift Idea by Crafting in the Rain
26. Popcorn Gift Printable by Breezy Bakes
27. Life Saver: Birthday Gift in a Jar by Here Comes the Sun
28. Decoupage Wooden Pendant by Twin Dragonfly Designs
29. Have a coffee on me: Funky Coasters by Funky Junk Interiors
30. Swanky Black & Gold Cosmetic Bag by A Prudent Life
31. DIY cocktail napkins by kojodesigns
32. Nail Polish Gift by Southern Hospitality
33. Banana Cake by Whats Cooking with Ruthie
34. Paparazzi – the PERFECT friend gift by Sugar Bee Crafts
35. “latte” fun birthday gift by Our Thrifty Ideas
36. Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes + Printable by Tastes Better from Scratch
37. Pearls are Always Appropriate by Mommy Envy
38. Girls Just Want to Have Fun Birthday Gift by A Little Tipsy
39. Manicure Kit Birthday Gift with Printable by Blooming Homestead
40. Orange you Glad Cup by Artsy Fartsy Mama
41. Donut Gift Tag by Pretty Providence
42. Rainbow Inspired Birthday Gift + Printable by Thirty Handmade Days
43. Drink Topper and Tag by LandeeLu
44. DIY Bath Salts using Essential Oils by Unskinny Boppy
45. Friends are Like Chocolate Chips by Delightful Deets
46. Paint Can Succulent Planters by East Coast Creative
47. A Bundt Cake Gift & Printable by Dukes and Duchesses
48. Jam Birthday Gift & Printable by Happiness is Homemade
49. Jazzed up Frames by House for Five
50. Favorite Things Gift Ideas by inkhappi
51. Toe-tally Cool Nail Polish Gift Idea + Free Printable by Simply Designing with Ashley
52. Quote Book by Reasons to Skip the Housework
53. Iron On T-Shirt Gift by Becoming Martha
54. DIY Humorous Girlfriend Gift by Brassy Apple
55. Tea-riffic Birthday Gift Idea & Printable by Mom Endeavors
56. Turn Today Into A Celebration by Dolen Diaries
57. You’re A Lifesaver Printable by Live Laugh Rowe
58. Happy Birthday Jar {free printable} by Kiki and Company
59. Mason Jar Flower Vase + Printable by R & R Workshop
60. Easy $5 Wooden Charm Bracelet by Craftily Ever After
61. Polka Dot Mason Jar Vase by The Cards We Drew
62. Free Printable Mini Notes by Confetti Sunshine
63. Bath Bomb Easy Birthday Gifts by Tried and True
64. Ball Jar Printable Tags by The Country Chic Cottage
65. Eat More Cake Birthday Gift Idea and Printable by Play. Party. Pin.
66. Have a “berry” happy birthday by The Contractor Chronicles
67. Merci Chocolates + Hey Birthday Girl french girl printable by Handmade in the Heartland
68. Five Minute Leather Necklace Tutorial + Birthday printables by Delia Creates
69. Ah-Mason Birthday Gift Idea by Lolly Jane
70. Simple Dangle Earring Tutorial by Bombshell Bling
71. Symphony Bar Brownies by Among the Young
72. Wishing you an E “straw” diary Birthday by Ginger Snap Crafts
73. DIY Washi Tape Cacti by Fry Sauce and Grits
74. State Pride Cheese Board by Addicted to DIY
75. Reusable Monogrammed Solo Cup by Mom 4 Real
76. go-to gift…EARRINGS! by A Girl and A Glue Gun
77. Embroidered Mixed Media Bookmarkers by The Creative Goddess
78. Beyond Measure Birthday Printable by Like Mother Like Daughter
79. Birthday Facial Kit Gift by The Benson Street
80. DIY Jewelry Bookmark by Design Dazzle
81. Birthday in a Jar – Birthday Printable Tags by A Pumpkin and a Princess
82. Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Party Cookies by Crazy Little Projects
83. You are the Bee’s Knees by Love the Day
84. Birthday Candy Jar by Inside BruCrew Life
85. “Hip Hip Hooray, today is your birthday!” printables by The Crafted Sparrow
86. Treat Yo Self Printable by Girl Loves Glam
87. Chocolate Facial with printable by TidyMom
88. Happy Birthday Sweets by A Night Owl
89. Quick & Easy Hydrangea Cake by Sweet C’s Designs
90. Sweets for the Sweet by Simply Kierste
91. Citrus Whipped Honey Butter Jars by Sand and Sisal
92. Diet Coke Gift for a Friend with Printable by Sweet Treats and More
93. A Latte for Two + printables by One Krieger Chick
94. Cookie Monster Birthday Gift Tag by I’m Topsy Turvy
95. Root Beer Float Cake in a Jar by Giggles Galore
96. Treat Yo’Self Printable Watercoloring Box by Persia Lou
97. Fruity Body Scrub with Printable by Mad in Crafts
98. Magnetic Necklace Charm by Sowdering About
99. Happy Bee Day with Printable by Just Another Day in Paradise
100. Manicure in a Jar by That’s What {Che} Said…
101. UBER lucky to have you in my Life by Maybe I Will
102. Free Happy Birthday Printable by NoBiggie
103. DIY Wine Bag & Charms Gift by Sypsie Designs
104. Crispy Crunch-y Pie with Printable by Just Rhonda
105. “You’re the Silver Lining” Friendship Nail Polish Gift by The Happy Housie
106. Tie One On for Your Birthday (Hair Tie Gift Free Printable) by illistyle
Did you have a gift idea that stuck out to you? Go ahead and visit your favorites and let them know you love it!
Follow the Pinterest Gift Board now!
Follow Capturing Joy with Kristen’s board Birthday Gift Ideas on Pinterest.
I couldn’t help but put in these cute pictures of my kids. They literally inhaled this popcorn. I couldn’t take picture fast enough before little fingers started popping up in the camera lens. Poor Emry looks like a little homeless child with no pants on and dirt all over her face. Hey, when mama’s gotta work, the kids get slightly neglected. Haha!
Wow, this sounds so good!
Thanks Amber! I’m loving this blog hop. Your Flippin’ Awesome birthday idea is so cute!
Big fan of popcorn so this is such a great idea! Love this #birthdaygiftidea hop!
Thanks Britni! Agreed! I love these birthday gift ideas. Perfect for friends’ birthdays. I love your cake idea. Anything is a good reason to eat more cake. =)
Bah haha…love your older daughter’s face, what a cutie.
Thanks! She is such a hambone. Who knows where they get it from. I love your birthday mason jar idea. Now that is something I can do. I am the world’s worst crafter. I’ll be following your tips for painting a piece of furniture this week. =)