There is just something so charming to me about a little brown package, it feels simple, nostalgic and it is the perfect blank canvas for customizing. I am not alone in feeling this way, as evidenced by the many great examples that I've seen cropping up around the blogosphere and in my Pinterest feed. Here are a few of my favorites...
1. Some great examples of how you can use leftover bits of scraps from other projects. Via Justine Blakeney.
2. Oversized gold polka dots are created with spray paint and stencils.
Via Oh Hello Friend.
3. Cream crepe paper is sewn on with red thread to create a ruffled effect.
Via Odessa May
4. Office stickers are used to create neon polka dots in this simple project.
Via Frolic!
5. Vintage photos and rustic trimmings make this tutorial feel especially nostalgic.
Via Odessa May
(Images: as linked above)
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Too pretty to unwrap ;)
Fun! I used brown paper and cursive tape from a school supply store for my back to school gifts and it worked out nicely.
If I can manage it, kraft paper will be the only tube of wrapping paper I ever own. It makes the most beautiful packages for any occasion!
The brown paper serves as a great backdrop to the ribbons, flowers, bells (add in whistles for good measure!). I got a present from my sister (a graphic artist) and my friends begged me to carefully unwrap it, take the present out of the box and then re-wrap the empty box!
The Kraft paper is the perfect backdrop to let the imagination and creativity rolling.
I used the same concept last year with my gift wrapping.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=293679340673875&set=a.288030714572071.62684.267492026625940&type=3&theater
Love. Kraft. Paper!! These are gorgeous!
Last year we used kraft paper and cut out each recipient's name on glitter paper(REALLY cheap at Michael's, I think it's technically scrapbook paper) which we glued to the kraft paper. Looked amazing.
Finger painting art by your kids or yourself make great wrapping paper.
Now that I'm older and the relatives are loaded down with Stuff, my family has gotten away from so much gift-giving (in favor of gifts of events and experiences or items that get used up more quickly) -- but back when I gave gifts throughout the year, my favorite thing to do was to wrap gifts in quirky images from magazines or newspapers. Interview magazine was one of the best (for size and imagery), as were fashion magazines.
(Another trick was often to use pages whose images or text contained some clue as to what was inside the package!)
i really hate to do this, but:
Kraft is a brand name!
Craft is what we are looking for here!
and what a great crafting project this is... just, not the same as mac'n'cheese!
ok, i'm wrong... i guess Kraft is a brand name for craft paper, as well as the cheesy mess! i just looked it up!
So, where is the best place to buy this craft/kraft paper?
For years, I would buy yards of it from Paper Source for $0.10/yd. (they have a huge roll of it at most of their craft tables) and then put my money into their great ribbons. However, a few years ago, they said they were no longer able to sell it. But if I was interested, they were now selling their own brand of "brown" wrapping paper. Uh, yeah. Subtle.
I was obviously less than thrilled at the switch-a-roo.
We have been using kraft paper years to wrap presents, food, etc. We purchased a 1000' roll and everyone takes some as needed. Our kids decorate the wrap and personalize it accordingly with stickers, markers, etc. It can be dressed up and formalized as well. It also doubles as an easy-clean-up tablecloth with messy foods or crafts.
I like to dress up my packages with old christmas cards. I have a bunch of special scissors from scrapbooking that I can cut a decorative border around images or the entire face and then tape them on. Hate to throw away christmas cards. Some we pull off and re-use again next year (Rudolph, Snoopy, etc.)