Comments on: How to Wrap a Present in a Unique Way

on 1/24/2006 1. Wrap a gift normally, then completely cover it with a wide roll of clear tape, duct tape also works, but not masking because this ripes to easily, try to make it so they can't get a seam to open the present.
2. Get a huge box, like a refrigerator box, then put a gift card inside, or for even more fun, put a clue inside, this will lead the receiver, to another clue, then another and then finally to the gift.
3. If you know someone who loves to read, then give them a book wrapped in photocopied pages of their favorite book.
4. Make a gift basket with a theme, like spa basket, or movie night basket, include a DVD or two, Sodas, Candy, Popcorn in a tub, (the kind that comes in a tub with the popcorn on the bottom.) and a gift card to a local Blockbuster or other movie store.
5. Double wrap gifts, and put a "clue" to whats inside. Like if you are giving a camera, put a memory card on the outside, or if you are giving a book, you can put a wooden or home-woven book mark on the outside.

on 1/5/2006 All those little boxes you get with items in it can be fun. You need a large box and a multitude of little boxes. Balls of newspaper nd tissue paper.

In each small box you want to put a gift, it can be anything. Gift cards, dollar bills, notes, etc. Wrap each one. No bows, ribbons are OK. Breakable items should be padded in the small boxes.
It is also fun is to have one container filled with nuts or bolts so that it rattles for all those shakers.

Decorate the large box. I have found the easiest is to use glue, and a old paintbrush, just dip in Elmer's glue or other white glue then use glitter. Dry between colors if you use more than one color glitter.

Put a layer of balled newspaper in the box, and then place a wrapped smaller box inside. Add more wads of newspaper, and another package, repeat till you have it distributed. Seal the big box, add a bow, or tie with string yarn.

on 1/5/2006 I've at times been stuck with a lack of wrapping paper. But an abundance of odds and ends. Scraps of ribbon, bows, and lots of paper sacks.

Everyone has foil in the house. (if you don't go to a discount store and buy cheap stuff 50 cents to a dollar a roll). Take your paper bags apart, measure and figure out the amount you will need for the package you are wrapping. On the back side of the paper sack, take either the pattern cutters and punch various holes in the area that will be centered over the top of the package or trace patterns and then cut them out carefully. Get a length and width of foil and tape it to the top of the box. Wrap in your paper bag and you have decorative and cheap wrapping.

You can also use different foils, or cloth, or tissue paper same as the foil if you like.

If you have a gentle touch, you can use this on different bags. Take some very fine grit sandpaper, and lightly rough up the paper bag, this takes a bit of practice but you can give it the look of faux suede. This works on virtually any type of paper bag.

on 12/9/2005 I just randomly thought of using these one year and it was so much fun for me and everyone else. Save all of the boxes such as "Lucky Charms", "Stouffer's Stuffing", Little Debbie's "Swiss Cake Roll" boxes and glue them shut with your gift inside. This made every one laugh because it looked like a grocery shopping list under the Christmas tree, It was inexpensive wrapping, and it eliminated the guessing game of what it was inside.

on 11/22/2005 Purchase an infant baby tub (it's on every Mom-to-be's wish-list). Stock up on baby lotions, soaps, detergents, socks, refill wipes, bibs, pacifiers, bottles. Neatly wrap the individual items with tissue paper and place neatly in the baby tub. Stuff additional colored tissue all over for a big fluffy look. This is a great group gift for Mom-to-be.

on 11/22/2005 I recently gave a Mom-To-Be a fun (and, surprisingly funny) gift basket. I used a very long (20 ft. or so) clothes line and attached baby clothes to the line with old wooden clothespins. Every shirt, sock, diaper, rattle, etc., was pinned on the line. I laid the line zigzag style in a large wicker laundry basket with a baby blanket on top. As the mom started pulling on the clothesline, it just kept coming and coming, with all the items hanging from it. I knew it was going to be cute, but I didn't expect the laughter it brought.

on 11/22/2005 I like to decorate my Christmas gifts with something besides the standard bow from a bag and the usual curling ribbon. I usually use either the small bows that are intended for use on the Christmas tree, or small ornaments. It's a good idea to wait until after Christmas and buy these items on sale. You can save them to use the following year.

on 11/22/2005 I received a gift certificate that was in a can of peas. The can had been opened with a type of can opener that cuts the top off cleanly and allows it to be replaced without any sharp edges. It was during a grab gift exchange, and everyone loved it.

on 11/22/2005 I know someone who always gave her female teachers a bottle of hand cream or lotion for Christmas. She would also buy a pair of nice black gloves, put the hand cream in one, and cover the end of the hand cream with the other glove. She would then tie it with ribbon and put a bunch of holly in the bow. The teachers loved it! This can work with any winter gift for a female. It's not just for teachers.

on 11/22/2005 Instead of using tissue paper, place the item in the gift bag and put feathers in the bag. I had a friend that loved purple so I bought her purple candles, a purple gift bag, and purple feathers from a craft store and put the feathers on top of the gift. It was a hit.

on 11/22/2005 It's fun watching people open these boxes because they didn't expect it! Photo-copy and then print pictures in black and white. Get an arts and craft box and decoupage the pictures on it with "Mod Podge." It makes a cute gift.

on 11/22/2005 In a basket I put wine, candles, body and foot lotion, bubble bath for two, massage oil, love coupons (from a book store), two fluffy hand towels, and a "2002 Ways to Say I Love You" book.
This basket is only to be used for making up after cross words, and before bed! This is a gift I made for friends, both on second marriages. They said it was the best gift!

on 11/22/2005 I've used Chinese take-out boxes for small gifts since I was in high school. It's somewhat of a tradition now among my friends, and everyone loves the uniqueness of the idea. The decorative boxes are available at stores such as Pier One and Cost Plus.

on 11/22/2005 Take a plastic baby bottle and wrap disposable diapers sideways around it (secure each with clear tape) until it's about 15" diameter (like a cake). Tuck small baby items (pacifier, rattle, teething ring, etc) in between the diapers/taped to the sides.

on 11/22/2005 As bows often get "smushed" in transit, I always make a reusable bow out of pencils and erasers, tree ornaments, little bags of candy, hair accessories, etc. This makes a more interesting gift for the recipient.