It's not the gifts that usually blow my holiday budget, it's the wrapping paper. It's not uncommon to find me sprinting to the corner drugstore moments before I have to leave for a party for tissue paper, a glossy party bag and ribbon which, although it's easy and festive looking, is not particularly cost-effective. The other day, Lindsay and Kathryn suggested some creative ways to spruce up a brown paper bag. Here are some other suggestions:
- 4 Simple Wrapping Ideas for Any Occassion: Dress up simply wrapped gifts with these festive touches.
- 6 Alternatives to Wrapping Paper: Fabric, waxed paper and delivery menus are some of the things that easily sub for gift wrap.
- How to use a reusable bag to wrap presents: Since the whole movement towards byo grocery bags began, I seem to have accumulated dozens of reusable bags. Here's a way to use them to wrap up your gifts (in a pinch, you can also use a nice plastic bag).
- How to Wrap a Gift Bag in Fabric: If you use decide to wrap your gifts in fabric, here's how to do it so it looks cool rather than clumsy. This is a great use for old shirts, t-shirts, napkins, sheets, scarves and dishtowels.
- Newsprint Inspired Christmas: Craft paper, newspaper and twine can look festive rather than sad if you use layering and greenery.
- Other ideas: Use road maps, pages from books and magazines and cans with colorful labels
Images: As linked above.
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I have a box of tissue papers on hand at all times. This is my "go to" wrapping paper. You are not limited with tissue paper like other types and with the additions of a couple of things, it can become special. For Christmas, invest in cellophane, ribbon and some paper ornaments. Adding the ornaments to the gift as your bow, not only makes the gift look professional, but it can be part of your gift that becomes something the person receiving the gift may use annually on their own tree.
Oh and you can use old music or wrapping paper to make the ornaments see this link for how to make stars http://desktoppub.about.com/od/paper/ss/5pointstar_2.htm
or look up the Monrovian star http://highhopes.com/3dstar.html if you feel like making the ornaments yourself!
My kids used to make all my wrapping paper by scribbling on white tissue paper with bright colored markers. It made really great looking, quite sophisticated wrapping paper, especially when coupled with a bright bow.
I really like the paint sample idea.
I used Baggus to wrap all of my bridesmaid gifts and I know for a fact that they all use them regularly (in fact, probably more than the gifts themselves). Always great to wrap a gift in a gift!
I just used a bag I saved from Ladurée Paris to wrap a copy of "Apartment Therapy" (ha ha) for my sister in law. The pale green looks great with a glittery gold ribbon around it.
I just hope she's not disappointed that french macaroons are not actually part of the gift.
I've seen a few ideas on the web of recent for using paint chip cards for crafty projects - the paint stores must be getting wary of visiting crafters! Using shaped paper punches you can make some pretty speedy tree or banner decorations!
I always have plain white shiny gift wrap on hand. I use it each year for Christmas and also for birthday's and any other special occassion. This year I'm using rafia in a teal dye colour. Last year was natural coloured twine and dry fig leaves with messags written on them. Next year I plan on doing a ribbon around the middle in sheer metallic silver. So versatile. Love it!
How ethical is it to go take a bunch of paint chips to use for gift wrapping?
It's not unethical to use paint samples if you already have them! I have a ton at home from my new construction, why would I feel badly about using them? Better than tossing. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Fabric can be reused to carry home lunch also...I'm Japanese and I sometimes wrap my lunch containers in a piece of fabric rather than using a lunch bag.