Things You'll Need:
- Different types of paper for wrapping
- Bows and/or ribbon
- Scissors
- Tape
- Art Supplies
- A gift to wrap
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Step 1
Newspaper. Most people already will use comics to wrap gifts for children. But other newspaper pages work nicely as well. Especially foreign newspapers. I once worked with a gentleman who would give me his Japanese newspaper when he was done with it. The print was interesting and adding a red ribbon and bow gave it a nice contrast. As long as I didn't give the gift to anyone who spoke Japanese I didn't have to worry about what the news articles said.
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Step 2
Old maps. Wondering what to do with all those old maps you have stuck in the drawer? The ones you haven't looked at since you've discovered Mapquest.com. Maps make a fantastic gift wrap. Its especially cute to use a map to wrap up a remote control car.
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Step 3
Store bags. Many stores will do colored bags during the holidays. Some do colored bags year round such as Barnes and Noble. Cut the bag open and reverse it so the logo is on the inside.
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Step 4
Paper bags. Next time you go to the grocery store ask for paper bags. Cut the bag open and reverse it so the logo is on the inside. Hot glue pinecones, dried fruit slices and/or twigs of greenery to the top for some added pizzazz. If the plain brown bag doesn't do it for you, add decoration with crayons, paint or markers. Great project for the kids.
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Step 5
Wallpaper. Left over wallpaper from your last home improvement project. Oh sure, you thought you should save it for repairs but by the time you need it the original will be so faded that the repair job will never look right. So do yourself a favor, wrap a gift with it and get it out of your storage!
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Step 6
Fabric. If you're a crafty person you probably have all sort of scrap fabric around the house and there is no law saying that wrapping paper has to be...well, paper. Along the same lines, if you're giving a kitchen item buy a nice dish towel to wrap the gift in. Your recipient will benefit from your wrapping choice and so will the environment.
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Step 7
Reuse wrapping paper. After all these years I can still hear Grandma saying "Don't tear the paper, we'll use it again next year!" But really, most of the fun of getting a gift is tearing off the paper.
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Step 8
Old holiday cards. Put the gift in a plain colored box and decorate with cut outs from old cards or magazine ads.
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Step 9
Trash bags. For really large gifts nothing beats a large trash bag tied with a bow. Plus, you'll have a trash bag handy to clean up the mess once all the presents are opened.
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Step 10
Wax Paper. You probably only think of wax paper when you're baking, but the smooth feeling of the paper gives your gift a classy, Zen-like vibe. It especially looks great paired with a black ribbon.
Comments
Susanh said
on 1/3/2009 You've sparked new and fun ideas for wrapping gifts!