Last Minute Frugal Wrapping Paper
We make it our practice (when we remember) to request paper bags for our groceries, especially in November and December. We use them to make some of our Christmas wrapping paper.
Cut open the brown paper bags (we do this because most of them have store logos on them). If you have time for it to dry, use paint or glue with food coloring in it and stamps, sponges, or potato prints to decorate the bags.
I like to cut a few giant potatoes in half lengthwise and use some Christmas cookie cutters to make large Christmas stamps. I also like to use two sponges in an alternating red and green color. This is fast, but it's surprisingly attractive. Have shallow pans of paint (tempera or glue and food coloring) on the table and stamp away. A simple two stamp pattern looks best, I think.
We spread these out to dry as best we can. To wrap packages it's nice if you have string or twine, because scotch tape doesn't work very well on its own to hold the bags closed.
You can also take puffy fabric paints and other paints and decorate the bags without cutting them apart. These are nice and sturdy gift bags, and they can be a part of your own family traditions. We used the same decorated bag for every birthday for at least five years.
If you don't have time to let this dry, you can skip decorating the bags altogether- just tie them up with twine or white ribbon, and they look quite elegant. Or use markers and crayons and let the children decorate them.
Other last minute gift wraps (use these only if you have the materials on hand):
shelf paper
newspapers
maps
fabric remnants (make the fabric part of the present- if it is for a child, a bit of yardage makes a nice addition to the dress up box)
totebags
Manilla envelopes
Spray paint shoe boxes, an oatmeal canister, or a coffee can
for small presents, fold Christmas cards or magazine pages into small boxes- below are some websites that show you how to make the Christmas card boxes:
Look around at other ideas on this site- they have some fun ones!
The directions on this page may be clearer for some readers.
This is probably the easiest variation, although I prefer those held together by folds rather than tape.
forego packaging, hide the presents and have a hunt the present game
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2 Responses to “Last Minute Frugal Wrapping Paper”
December 25th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
I think I like best the idea to hide the gifts, especially for little kiddos. what fun!
December 27th, 2010 at 12:22 am
We ran out of wrapping paper before the gifts for our church friends were wrapped so I went foraging. I found white bias tape and red rickrack. Layered and tied ’round each gift, they gave a very nice effect.
I love the idea of a treasure hunt with children’s gifts!
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