1. Use scraps of fabric to wrap presents. Apply puffy fabric paint to give the present a rich three dimensional look!
2. Purchase inexpensive plain white or brown wrapping paper and decorate the paper yourself. First wrap the gift and then decorate. This is a great way to decorate grandparents’ gifts. Have your children place their hands in washable paint and decorate the package with their hand prints.
* Helpful Hint * Instead of wrapping paper, recycle brown paper bags, when you wrap the present use double stick tape and work the extra seams into the pattern.
3. Use an old calendar to wrap your package. Some of the most beautiful photography can be found in calendars. Why throw it away when the year is done? The paper is thick, sturdy, and glossy!
4. Don’t have enough of one wrapping paper to wrap an entire present? Make a mosaic of wrapping paper. Embellish the seams of the wrapping paper with ribbon, beads, or colored duct tape.
5. Instead of buying pre-made bows make your own. Use the Bowdabra to make beautiful affordable bows!
6. Make your own gift tags from last years Christmas cards. Embellish the gift tags with buttons, candy, scraps of ribbon, or glitter.
7. For a very large present purchase an inexpensive vinyl tablecloth. During the holidays inexpensive vinyl tablecloths are very easy to find. Place your large gift in the center of the tablecloth and wrap the way you would a normal sized present.
8. Wrap presents in the comic pages of a newspaper. This is great gift wrapping option for children and young adults. For extra fun go to a party store and purchase some inexpensive party supplies. Attach fun rings, pencils, and other novelty items to the bow.
9. Think ahead. Purchase holiday wrapping paper and ribbon after the holidays when it is discounted. Store the wrapping paper in a cool, dry space for the following year.
10. Instead of using expensive clear tape and double sided tape; try using a glue stick or hot glue gun.
Gift wrapping does not have to be an expensive tedious process. It just takes a little money and a lot of imagination and love!
