Has anyone noticed how expensive wrapping paper can be? Sometimes you think you're getting a good deal until you notice that the roll has about three feet of paper on it. We've been looking around for less expensive wrapping options and, as a bonus, they just happen to be pretty green.
Brown paper packages tied up in string (and ribbon) sounds good to us and looks pretty darn good, too. This wrapping by Brown Pen shows that plain and simple can be quite beautiful.
As if we're not inundated enough by catalogs throughout the year it seems to amp up before the holidays. Before putting them in the recycling bin, leaf through and remove pages that appeal to you for wrapping. It looks like this one, spotted at Curbly, is a colorful page from a JCrew catalog and even includes a cute bow.
This photo is like an "I spy" game. I spy four green holiday ideas here by Danny Seo: graph paper snowflakes, office paper wrapping, bows from old vhs tape and a styrofoam garland. Now that's a one-two (three-four) green punch!
Now that a Trader Joe's has moved into our neighborhood, we can take advantage of this great idea of resuing their sturdy, holiday themed paper bags for gift tags. This idea by Katie of ink and post was highlighted on Design Sponge recently. If you're not near a TJ's - look around at the paper bags you already have. You might be surprised to find some nice designs. Or turn them inside out, use them as wrapping and do some rubber stamping or drawing to embellish them.
Do you have a great green wrapping idea? Share it in the comments.
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We get so many Christmas cards in the mail, and I just can't bear throwing them out! So after the holidays are over, I cut off the front of each card, and use them the following year as gift tags. Sometimes I will punch a hole in the corner and add a ribbon or string (which I've usually saved from other projects or gifts) and write the To/From on the back. Sometimes I just use the entire front of the card as the tag and tape it onto the package. Depending on the design of the card, you can make multiple tags from each card. I've done this with birthday cards, too...
view blueroom's profile
I use pieces of fabric tied in pretty knots or bows (a la http://www.tinyshiny.com/Articles/FuroshikiWrap.php).
Totally re-usable and 95% of the time, the recipient gives me the cloth back, so I rarely need to buy more.
view marfa's profile
wow, blueroom, birds of a feather. i posted yesterday about using the inside messages of cards as gift tags. love your idea as well.
view kangaroo's profile
We do something very similar to marfa.
My husband thought of this while he was in college since he hates cards and wrapping paper. He had my mother-in-law help him create fabric "bags." Basically its a fabric bag with Velcro at the end. They are fantastic. I still have to use a little paper, but if I have stretched 2 rolls over 3 Christmases I think that is okay.
I would like to make some new ones with more appealing fabric instead of the poinsettia fabric we have right now.
view kpag's profile
I blogged about this subject the other day, too.
http://www.downtoearthnw.com/blogs/dwellwellnw/2008/dec/07/gift-tag-tutorial/
There are several ideas there, like wrapping a travel-related gift in an old map and wrapping a CD in old sheet music.
Every year, my husband and I make several loaves of cranberry-orange bread for his co-workers and wrap each one in a flour-sack towel tied with ribbon or yarn or bakery string.
view pennycarnival's profile
I use magazine ads and even the tissue wrap that stores put with your purchase, especially the heavier duty ones or the ones with nice patterns. Sometimes if the package is small enough I get plain white printer paper and draw designs on it.
view kbittner's profile