Here at Apartment Therapy we are constantly pointing out how paint color and wallpaper choices can have a big impact on a room. In my opinion, gift wrap can have the same impact on presents. To demonstrate, here is one gift wrapped four different ways.
Clockwise from top left:
- A gift wrapped in silver paper and tied up in black ribbon says I’m ready for a party! Wrap a hostess gift in this classic combination and you’ll be sure to stand out. This silver paper is actually from a very large roll I picked up inexpensively at Uline. I'm talking 100 feet of wrapping paper for $20! A similar effect could also be created using aluminum foil.
- Who says you have to buy wrapping paper? Magazine pages make colorful, free, and eco-friendly gift wrap. And the best part of using old magazines is that you can tell a story with your gift wrap.
- Brown paper packages tied up with string – hmm, that sounds familiar. Oh yes, it's one of My Favorite Things! The classic combination of brown paper and twine gives the gift a homey, old fashioned appearance. A similar look cool also be achieved using a paper shopping bag.
- Of course store bought gift wrap is always delightful. I tend to choose wrap that isn't completely season specific, like this red and blue plaid paper from IKEA. Since I don't have much storage in my apartment, I can continue to use this paper for birthday gifts after the holidays.
Images: Jason Loper
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The night before our department's White Elephant Gift Exchange, I realized I didn't have any paper or gift bags. Since it was 11PM and all the stores were closed, I improvised with a Trader Joe's paper bag turned inside out. I did happen to have red ribbon, so I used that as well.
Well, what do you know, mine got picked first because it was "the prettiest".
So totally agreed that presentation doesn't have to break the bank to look nice!
I almost always wrap my gifts in brown paper with white ribbon or string. It always looks great.
Love it! Each year I pick a different style for all my wrapping ... and inevitably all the bows appear on my mom's gifts the following year because she thinks they're too pretty to throw out, haha
It also affects what you can guess, too, which is a very important part of the process on my Mom's side of the family. (My grandmother once guessed her present down to the flavor of jam.)
Looking at this present, my first reaction for the magazine and brown paper wrapping is "BOOK", but the plaid says "BOARD GAME" and the silver says "WILD CARD."
---www.bymaggie.com---
I like to use white tissue paper and coloured string or red ribbon. Simple and classic. Years ago(1970's) I saved the covers of Rolling Stone throughout the year and wrapped gifts in them...much more fun than 'bought' wrapping paper!
I spent a couple hours today cutting up brown paper shopping bags into sheets to use as wrapping paper. I'm especially pleased with one bag I had lying around that had red stripes. I'm also planning on using the text labels that I cut off of my bags for gift tags, if it doesn't look too silly. I love wrapping presents!
This is so awesome, I have used magazine pages as wrapping paper since I was in high school! Not that it was all that original of an idea, but it's nice to see it validated. :)
For the season, i use brown paper, tied with thick red or green yarn. A sprig of holly or some other Christmas greenery replaces the bow. Otherwise, I'm all about "found" wrappings -- magazine covers and photos, or pieces of textile I don't need.
Lol, the magazine bit made me smile because my uncle always used to give me gifts wrapped in the comics section of the Sunday newspaper.
I've always loved brown paper. Simple, elegant, understated.
Brown paper packages, tied up with strings... these are a few of my favorite things.
Transit maps from far away cities make great wrapping paper, too. Try a New York City subway map with a small apple ornament attached to the bow.
Leftover wallpaper or wallpaper samples makes good wrap paper too.
One year my mom wrapped all presents in out-dated maps that she had picked up at the thrift store. This post made me remember that idea!
Brown paper.
But then use a lovely ribbon or something to personalise - it is amazing how decadent brown paper can look with a velvet ribbon. At the moment I have hot pink ribbon with white dots & bright orange gauze ribbon - both brought at the dollar store & used in great lengths for grand effect.
The main problem is, of course, so few people notice the effort you put into wrapping.
Last christmas my MIL handed out unlabeled/card free presents dumped unwrapped in open gift bags. As she did this a week before The Day, we then spent an hour on Christmas working out who should get what...
I wrap very few gifts these days -- and even then, I often use gift bags to disguise shapes. But I like to theme my holiday paper with my decorations. Since I collect snowflakes and stars, and I love glitz, I tend to choose holographic or foil papers with these designs, only one or two designs per year. Ribbons or tie-ons to match.