How to Wrap Presents With Presents
Do you want to save money on your next present? Would you like to go green and not be wasteful this time? Would you like to have more money to spend on the gift by spending less on the gift wrap that ends up in the garbage? Here are some great ways to do all of the above simply and easily, and even affordably. It's less trouble than you might think to make your wrapping part of the present.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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Use scarves and bandannas to wrap gifts. A child will love a bunch of barrettes, pony tail holders and headbands tied into a pretty bandanna. An adult may like manicure and pedicure goodies tied up in a pretty scarf. You can wrap anything for women and girls in these--makeup, jewelry, bath items, or a set of stationary and a nice pen. Scarves and bandannas come in lots of colors and sizes, so choose one that fits the size of the gift.
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Use oven mitts and kitchen towels to wrap up kitchen items and shower gifts. You can fill an oven mitt or two with small tools like peelers, bottle openers, hand can openers, wooden spoons, measuring cups, spoons and spices. The towels can also be used to hold a set of towels or mitts, a lovely cookbook, a set of barbecue tools or steak knives. Use a big chef's apron to wrap larger things like a blender, toaster or food processor.
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Buy the bag for the job. Get a zippered bag to hold gifted makeup or manicure items, a men's shaving kit, a traveling sewing kit or a child's art supplies. Use a big tote bag for a gift of beach towels, or beach toys for a child. Try a tote from the local library when you're giving someone a book or two. A small duffel bag can hold a new gym ensemble for a man or woman. A backpack can hold a tone of school supplies for a child or college student. Try a small suitcase for a pretty "going someplace" kind of outfit. Use a small waterproof tote for camping gear, fishing equipment or a camera bag for lenses and film.
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Use a tablecloth folded to the right size to wrap a set of dishes, or placemats and napkins, chargers or a ceramic centerpiece for the table. Wrap candlesticks and candles in a pretty table runner. Wrap sheet music in a table scarf that can be used on the piano. Put bath items in a hanging fabric shower caddy or in a basket wrapped in a towel. Put soaps in hand towels, small candles in tea towels and small items like bath pearls or salts in a big soft bath mitt.
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Give coupons for great gifts. Tuck a coupon for hours at the batting cages inside a new glove. Put a car wash coupon inside of a chamois. Tuck a babysitting coupon inside a book about finding a good sitter. Coupons to movies can be hidden inside boxes of popcorn packages. Dinner out coupons can be tucked into a cocktail shaker. Lawn mowing coupons can go into a barbecue mitt.
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Use a little ingenuity and you'll find that you never have to waste money on something that's put into the trash in a few moments. Won't you feel better saving money, going green and looking clever all at the same time? Nobody ever has to know you read it here...
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Tips & Warnings
Think about what you're buying, and look for something in the same department when you go shopping. It's often easier to buy things then.
Stock up on scarves, small towels after Christmas with holiday themes. They can go as much as 90 percent off then.
