Things You'll Need:
- An open mind
- scissors
- a box to hold all of your scraps and collected items
- be able to think outside the "box" or "bag"
- holiday music to inspire you
- a walk around your yard and house for these additional items:
- Aluminum foil
- Comic strips (from newspaper or your own collection)
- fashion magazine or designer's holiday preview edition
- Newspaper
- Brown paper bag or craft paper
- pine needles and pine cones
- brown twine
- ribbon
- tape
- scissors
- fabric
- mini stockings
- cranberries
- flowers (real or fake)
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Step 1
hartspremierbusiness.co.ukDon't be intimidated by the "things you'll need" list, they are all just ideas and tips for what materials you can use. Gift wrapping is very specific to the size and shape of your gift and this ehow is meant to get you thinking outside the "box" and open your mind to new eco-friendly materials to both cover and accent your present. So pick a gift to wrap and lets get started!
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Step 2
wildwalnut.com.auTake both your personality and the personality of the recipient into consideration when gift wrapping. For example, my old boyfriend was a huge music lover so I found some SHEET MUSIC from a thrift store and wrapped up some CDs for his present...my mom on the other hand appreciates the country style so I wrapped her boxed sweater in BROWN CRAFT PAPER (also can use brown paper bag!) and hot glued a red ribbon with a pine needle and cone on the top. Both of them loved the individual touches and that extra care taken that shows I understand and took the time to put that extra attention into their gift. The best part is its a fun way to get rid of some of that extra stuff laying around the house and yard and saves money from having to buy the giftbag, paper, tissue paper and ribbons that can add up quick! Another great personalized idea is one for a geographer, use an old MAP! If you want the map to look old and it isn't, first stain it using a strong tea and sponging the tea-infused water onto the map.
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Step 3
fortunoff.comOther ideas with gifts and personalities....think about a kitchen gadget and wrapping it in ALUMINUM FOIL. Aluminum foil isn't only for kitchen presents though, it looks great and can be accented with a hot glued SNOWMAN made of COTTON BALLS....or PAPER SNOWFLAKES taped on the sides.
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Step 4
flikr.comFABRIC! Fabric is a wonderful gift wrap, it feels good to the touch and can easily be found in many places. If you have something specific in mind try your local Wal-Mart or fabric shop and fabric isn't expensive....although first look at your wardrobe, you may have a sequined dress that doesn't fit or has gone out of style that you can use scraps of to wrap or accent your gift...also try Goodwill or Salvation Army, many items are 1-2$, even dresses that can be made of a beautiful pattern....it doesn't matter what the item looks like clothing wise, many out of style patterns for clothing can look wonderful as gift wrap.
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Step 5
perpettualy15.wordpress.comThis I found from a website and wanted to share, if you have something that was shipped and arrived in a tube and struggling to find something to wrap it in, try keeping it in the WHITE TUBE and hot gluing RED RIBBON wrapped all the way up it, spiraling the pattern around the tube, it ends up looking like a candy cane!
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Step 6
reliableanswers.comAnother idea I recently saw was using already owned items as stuffing or "filler" for your items that you either need to ship or ones that fit into a too-large box...use either filling from an old pillow and spray with a bit of spray adhesive and then sprinkle with white or silver glitter to make the inside of the box look like snow (and protect the gift) or look outside towards soft pine needles that will make your gift smell great and protect it!
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Step 7
www.pepperspollywogs.comThose NEWSPAPERS you have piled up? They are great for giftwrapping books or a gift for any business/politically-savvy recipient! For the comedian, find the COMIC STRIPS inside and save them to wrap the present with. Word lovers would love a gift wrapped in CROSSWORD PUZZLES and it would make the gift wrapping fun for them to play with beforehand (crossword puzzle books can be found at any dollar store so try there if you have a larger present and you can tear out the pages there)...number lovers? Find the SUDOKUS and wrap it in them!
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Step 8
nzflower.com.nzDon't forget about the potential dollar stores have for creative gift wrapping, fake FLOWERS can often be found here (among many other things!) and these work great for colorful accents on top of your gift.
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Step 9
papershopink.comOnce you get in the habit of finding unique materials they begin to jump out at you and the process becomes enjoyable, I have found uses with old wine bottles, baskets, canvas from an old painting, lampshades and many many items around my house. Remember, yes this saves money but it is also meant to be a fun way for you have pride in your gift and I promise your efforts will be appreciated! Happy Holidays!
Comments
ermabombeck said
on 12/6/2008 I love all your wonderfully creative ideas. Its gotten too easy to just throw a gift in a gift bag and we've forgotten how fun it is to unwrap a beautifully wrapped gift.
CandisLynn said
on 11/12/2008 Thanks for all the ideas... love the one with the sheet music! So creative ;)
BeaEmery said
on 11/12/2008 That is a good idea, I always made the popcorn and cranberry Christmas garlands growing up, thanks for the addition to the tips, I'll be sure to use that one!
bossypants said
on 11/12/2008 OMG -- Just one great idea after another! Your terrific examples really make this article a worthwhile read. Another packing idea: Air popped popcorn -- The recipient can put it out for the birds, after it safely cushions their gift fduring shipping.
soanyway said
on 11/9/2008 Great article! comic strips are one of my fav's. Thanks!