Cripes wrapping paper is expensive! And the cheap stuff rips and tears. Let’s be honest, how a gift is wrapped, matters. When I receive a present where the wrapping is as good as the gift inside, it makes it even more special.
So how do you get quality wrap at a great price? You do it yourself! I started doing this a few years ago because I couldn’t find paper I liked. After I made my own, I saw how much fun it was, how special the gifts looked and the cost savings and realized “do it yourself” wrap was the way to go. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
Polk a Dot Wrap
The trick to this is to make the dots last. That way you don’t waste time waiting for a whole role of paper to dry and the dots are positioned perfectly. The bonus is that it’s non denominational too.
What you’ll need:
Plain wrapping paper: white, brown, green, whatever!
Ribbon – wire edge is preferable
Paint in a color that corresponds to the ribbon
Dotting sponge
Scissors and tape
Instructions:
1. Wrap your gift.
2. Tie the ribbon. Make the junction of the to directions of the ribbon vary between gifts; tie some at the top, some the middle or just make one loop around. The differentiation will add interest in a pile of presents.
*Just to clarify – this did not photograph amazingly, but I swear it looks cute in person!
3. Dot your paint. Using the dot sponge, paint and a paper plate, sponge on the dots. Consider using alternating size sponges, or uniform sponges in a pattern to mix it up.
4. Add a card. I used a plain gift card and added some dots to tie onto the bow.
5. Tear it apart!
Gift Bags
I love gift bags. They are so fast and easy. And a little stamping will make them look extra special.
What you’ll need:
Plain bags – again, in any color
Holiday stamps
Ink pad – metallics work great
Tissue paper
Ribbon – wired edge works well
Instructions:
1. With the bag flat and using one stamp, stamp in a pattern – in a row, diagonal, circle, whatever looks pretty and is consistent.
2. Open the bag and stuff with your gift.
3. Fluff the tissue. With a flat piece of tissue, grab from the center. Pull straight up creating a cone of issue. Stuff the pointed side into the bag creating a fluff of tissue out the top.
4. Tie handles together on one side with ribbon.
5. Give away!
More ideas…
~Brown paper packages tied up with string – one of my favorite songs makes for an adorably vintage wrap idea!
~Raffia – the stringy fiber is not only cheap, but gives gifts a festive and fancy look. Use one color or combine two to make beautiful adornments. Be sure to double or triple them to create a fuller look.
~Skip the gift tags – invest in a paint pen at your favorite craft store and nominate a friend with great handwritting to scrib your gifts. Scroll out the “to” and “from” across the front of the gift for your decoration.
~Reuse – use newspaper, old books, music sheets or even fabric to make your gifts special.
~Add something special – tie ornaments, bells or other small gifts to the packages to punch up the wow factor.
~Instead of bags, use Chinese take out boxes (like the gift kind, not the leftover kind!), paint cans (Lowes and Michaels both carry empty versions) or bottles for a fun alternative.
