Each year I watch at least two large garbage sacks of gift wraps, ribbons, tissue and bows head for the garage to mostly be thrown out. I save every bag, flatten and reuse the tissue, but there is still so much leftover. Not to mention what good quality gift wrap can cost for a pile of presents. So in an attempt to see if I could create pretty gift wrap from found objects in my home, or free items while I am out running errands, here are a couple ideas I came up with.
I used brown kraft paper (can be found at the Dollar Store or WalMart) to wrap one gift, and it would have looked really pretty with twine or raffia around it. But I realized something. By taking a very basic item and adding an over the top flourish to it, it looks pretty high-end and unique don't you think? I pulled some trims and fancies from my sewing bins and found some inexpensive lace that I have had for-ev-ah. Not only would this look gorgeous under a Christmas tree, but what about birthday's, Mother's Day...we can be creative and thrifty when we wrap all year.
Next I wrapped a book in some newspaper I picked up while leaving the library last week. Again, really basic wrap with a pretty ribbon and little silk flower hot-glued on. The ribbons, lace and flower could all be used again for crafting, and the kraft paper could be used to color on. My kids LOVE it when I tape a large piece of kraft paper or butcher paper to the kitchen table. They color on it for days!
Some other items that you can wrap gifts in that are free or can be used again are:
- fabric
- a fun cereal box with yarn and crayons tied around it for a child's gift
- burlap and pretty ric-rac
- book pages taped together to form a small sheet of gift wrap
- spray paint a coffee can and place a plant or cellophane wrapped goodie inside with ribbons on the top
- scrap book paper for small boxes
- a square cut from an unwanted sweater , hot glued in place and baker's twine wrapped around it
I hope this has inspired you to make the outside of your gift just as creative and thoughtful as the contents on the inside. And, if you can make something gorgeous on the cheap {or free} you are awesome. As always, thank you for reading, I appreciate you so much. Hugs from me to you :)
xoxo, Tanya
Weekly Link Parties & Buttons where you can find me posting projects:
Friday
MyRomantic Home, Whipperberry, Redoux Interiors, Sassy Sites, Thirty Handmade DaysFrench Country Cottage, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello,Chic On A ShoestringShabby Nest, At The Picket Fence, Serenity Now, Blissful & Domestic, Naptime Crafters, Simple Home LifeThe Not So Functional Housewife, Rooted In Thyme, Craftionary,One Artsy Mama, Adorned From Above, The Mandatory Mooch, See Vanessa Craft (Button below), Faith Trust and Pixie Dust (Button below), Create Craft Love, Liz Marie Blog (button below), Design, Dining & Diapers, The Humble Brag Link Party
Saturday
Funky Junk Interiors, Positively Splendid, I Heart Naptime, Family Ever After, Too Much Time, Be Different Act Normal, Six Sisters Stuff, Natasha In Oz, Power Of Pinterest Party, Classy Clutter,
Funky Junk Interiors, Positively Splendid, I Heart Naptime, Family Ever After, Too Much Time, Be Different Act Normal, Six Sisters Stuff, Natasha In Oz, Power Of Pinterest Party, Classy Clutter,
Sunday, http://itssoverycheri.com/2012/10/14/its-party-time-linky/
Sisters Of The Wild West, Just Us Four, Nifty Thrifty Things
Cherished Treasures, Polkadot Pretties, Homemaker On A Dime (button below), Under The Table And Dreaming (button below)
Monday
Making The World Cuter Monday , Be Colorful, DIY Home Sweet Home,Covered in Grace, Between Naps On The Porch, Craft O Maniac, The Southern Institute, Keeping It Simple, Skip To My Lou,
Brassy Apple, Delectable Home, C.R.A.F.T, Get Outta My Head Please, Krafty Kat (button below)
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/2012/07/cuter-monday/, The Dedicated House, Alderberry Hill (button below), Kampen Lane Designs (button below), My Favorite Finds, http://makingtheworldcuter.com/2012/08/making-the-world-cuter-2/, Just Dawnelle, Mad In Crafts
Tuesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,Sugar Bee Crafts, A Diamond In The Stuff, Home Stories A to Z, Reasons To Skip Housework, Domestically Speaking, How To Nest For Less, Organize & DecorateEverything, Ladybug Blessings, Cherished Bliss, The DIY Dreamer,The Sasse Life, The Winthrop Chronicles (button below), Cozy Little House, Homework (button below), Organizing Home Life, Today's Creative Blog, House On The Way, The Inspired Room, TheNY Melrose Family
Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style, Someday Crafts, Ginger Snap Crafts, Clean & Scentsible, The Trendy Treehouse, Uncommon Designs, Southern Lovely, Lil' Luna (button below)
Family Home and Life, Practically Functional, Vintage Gwen, Rae Gun Ramblings, The CSI Project, I Gotta Create, Tales Of A Trophy Wife, Pincushion Creations, Adorned From Above, The Style Sisters, http://www.howdy-honey.com/2012/11/wanderlust-wednesday-3-christmas-signs.html, http://simplykierste.com/
Thursday
Delightful Order,The Shabby Creek Cottage Somewhat Simple
Embracing Change, House Of Hepworths, 52 Mantels, Thrifty Decorating, Not Just A Housewife, Beyond The Picket Fence, AKA Design, Crafty Scrappy Happy,Christina's Adventures, The 36th Avenue,Johnny In A Dress
, Hubby Made Me, Lil Pink Pocket, Two Yellow Birds Decor, One Artsy Mama, Saving 4 Six
Sisters Of The Wild West, Just Us Four, Nifty Thrifty Things
Cherished Treasures, Polkadot Pretties, Homemaker On A Dime (button below), Under The Table And Dreaming (button below)
Monday
Making The World Cuter Monday , Be Colorful, DIY Home Sweet Home,Covered in Grace, Between Naps On The Porch, Craft O Maniac, The Southern Institute, Keeping It Simple, Skip To My Lou,
Brassy Apple, Delectable Home, C.R.A.F.T, Get Outta My Head Please, Krafty Kat (button below)
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/2012/07/cuter-monday/, The Dedicated House, Alderberry Hill (button below), Kampen Lane Designs (button below), My Favorite Finds, http://makingtheworldcuter.com/2012/08/making-the-world-cuter-2/, Just Dawnelle, Mad In Crafts
Tuesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,Sugar Bee Crafts, A Diamond In The Stuff, Home Stories A to Z, Reasons To Skip Housework, Domestically Speaking, How To Nest For Less, Organize & DecorateEverything, Ladybug Blessings, Cherished Bliss, The DIY Dreamer,The Sasse Life, The Winthrop Chronicles (button below), Cozy Little House, Homework (button below), Organizing Home Life, Today's Creative Blog, House On The Way, The Inspired Room, TheNY Melrose Family
Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style, Someday Crafts, Ginger Snap Crafts, Clean & Scentsible, The Trendy Treehouse, Uncommon Designs, Southern Lovely, Lil' Luna (button below)
Family Home and Life, Practically Functional, Vintage Gwen, Rae Gun Ramblings, The CSI Project, I Gotta Create, Tales Of A Trophy Wife, Pincushion Creations, Adorned From Above, The Style Sisters, http://www.howdy-honey.com/2012/11/wanderlust-wednesday-3-christmas-signs.html, http://simplykierste.com/
Thursday
Delightful Order,The Shabby Creek Cottage Somewhat Simple
Embracing Change, House Of Hepworths, 52 Mantels, Thrifty Decorating, Not Just A Housewife, Beyond The Picket Fence, AKA Design, Crafty Scrappy Happy,Christina's Adventures, The 36th Avenue,Johnny In A Dress
, Hubby Made Me, Lil Pink Pocket, Two Yellow Birds Decor, One Artsy Mama, Saving 4 Six
