Gift idea: For your stressed-out friend

This post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. This post was sponsored by Starbucks as part of an Influencer Activation. I received compensation and complimentary products to facilitate my review. #StarbucksCaffeLatte #MyStarbucksatHome #CollectiveBias

We all have that one friend that works all the time, balances friends, home and work, and starts losing their mind right before the holidays thanks to a mountain of stress.

Or, if you are like me, you ARE that friend.

Either way, a kind gesture goes so far for a friend in need. In this post, I will show you how to create a simple pick-me up to brighten your stressed-out friend’s day!

This part of the year really inspires me to be a more giving and considerate person. It might just be the Pumpkin Spice Lattes talking, but I feel like their is a magic in the air that makes everyone seem a little more kind than usual.

For a busy friend, your gift should not be time consuming, and it should be a simple thing they can enjoy every day. For me, that simple smile has always been my morning cup of coffee.

Starbucks® has come out with new Starbucks® Caffè Latte K-Cup® Pods! These are perfect for a latte at home! They are a two step process, but you need nothing but what is in the package and your favorite cup in order to enjoy at home.

They come in mocha, vanilla and caramel flavors, plus they have some seasonal options as well (yes, I’m talking Pumpkin Spice).

AND – they are made from milk!

These are a two step process.

First, you dump the powder into your favorite mug.

Then, you put the pod in your Keurig and make coffee as normal!

STIR AND ENJOY!

These are free of artificial flavors, but full of tasty warm hugs!

AND – these are the perfect addition to a coffee gift basket.

For the basket, get your friend a mug that you know they would enjoy. This gift is for my sister, who is getting ready to graduate high school and go on to college.

My sister really loves to be able to see her coffee through the glass, so this clear Starbucks® mug is perfect for her!

I also added a pretty golden spoon! It is such a Instagram-able piece, but another great idea is to use a chocolate spoon. For this, all you have to do is grab a plastic spoon and dip it into melted chocolate. Place the spoon on wax paper in the refrigerator, and bam, you have a tasty spoon!

I think a great touch is something a little silly! I added a confetti popper in here because sometimes all you need is a little confetti to put a smile on your face!

NOW FOR THE CRAFTY PART:

I thought it would be adorable to make a drink caddy, but for the pods! I created this little caddy using some scissors, glue and cardstock:

First, using an 8.25 inch x 10.5 inch paper (or cut that out of a bigger paper, like I did), create a 2 inch column, a 4.25 inch column and another 2 inch column.

As for the rows, make 5, 2 inch rows. Then, a .5 inch row.

Cut off the four corners, and cut in each side for the flaps (ignore my cutting skills, I don’t have a fancy cutting device).

Fold in the sides and fold the middle to create the box. Glue the sides and the back together to make the caddy.

I created two of these in order to create a full caddy to put four pods in.

You can obviously decorate these however you want, but they are just so cute! I am a sucker for tiny versions of big things.

Then put it in a cute little basket or jar, and you are done!

I added a plaid scarf to make the gift basket even more cozy!

 

Have you tried the new Starbucks® Caffè Latte K-Cup® Pods yet? How do you get your “smile” everyday?

2016 Starbucks® Corporation. All rights reserved. Keurig, Keurig HOT, K-Cup and the K logo are trademarks of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., used with permission.