Fun Gift Wrap

Bust Out of the Paper Gift Bags; Fun Gift Wrap Ideas

I have come up with zany “wrappers” for the gifts to avoid purchasing paper or gift bags, after I have recycled all that I have received in the past.  For example, I have rolled shirts or kids’ pants in a paper tube left over from a roll of paper towels.  Crunch up the ends and wrap in something sparkly (cellophane or painted up piece of paper or material), tie with a ribbon.  Basically, make it look like a piece of candy.  Or once I had an old coat that was beaten up badly.  I cut up the faux fur from the liner and pasted it onto a box instead of the wrapping paper.  It was a hit.  I purchase discounted ribbon from fabric stores and craft stores.  We are not talking 50% off here; we are talking the left-over, crazy stuff that no one wants for 80% off the original price.  And, my family actually gathers up my ribbons after everyone is done opening gifts for me to save for next year.  Training, people, training.  I have collected unused, wooden skewers and glued them onto gifts in different designs, some in a big 3-D star.  Don’t give this package to the kids or the drunken adults though.  The results will remind you of something similar to, “I lost my poor meeeatbaaall, when sommmebody sneeeezed…” 

Another good one is after Christmas (or other holiday) sales.  The big packages of plastic bulbs for the tree are half off, or small individual ornaments are nice too, and can decorate many a package!  After holiday sales are great places to find next year’s $5 gift or Santa gifts, too. 

I have picked up acorns from the ground and bought plastic fruit from auction sales for my packages.  Which reminds me: auction sales are great places to pick up Christmas decorations, cheap.  These decorations can be taken apart or used as is to decorate gifts.

Auction sales are also great for vintage gifts.  Estate sales have good kitchen items for the person who is moving into his or her first apartment- pots and pans.  Even cheap pots and pans are expensive, and, well, cheap!  They flake into your food and are just plain gross!  Another good gift for these people are homemade items- jellies, breads, slippers.  Auction sales also sell blankets for your pet to sleep on.  Do you think Rufus cares whether or not it is a $10 pet bed or a $2 fuzzy blanket?  Old ropes, stuffed animals, and soft pillows are also appreciated by Fido.  Some auction sales show a really different side of people… brass statues, art, and other decorative items could also be inspiring.  Remember, Home Depot sells “oops paint” for $5 per gallon for any item you may see fit, and good spray paint is $5 for a whole can.

A couple years ago I began to shop garage sales and thrift stores for small books. 

Bookstores sell them for under $10, usually.  The feel-good-inspirational-you-can-do-it/this-day-is-a-gift- type of book.  Your local thrift stores will sell them for under a dollar, usually.  If not, wait until the store has a sale on books.  I make it a rule not to pay more than $1 for a used book unless I absolutely, positively have to have it.  Don’t start writing in the books, now; instead, take this opportunity to insert a piece of parchment paper or tissue paper with a short note.  The kind of note you would write into a card…and that is precisely what I utilize the book for.  I use the feel-good book for a card.  It could be a picture book about dogs, or Hollywood cars, or a purse book.  Whatever the person is really “into”.  At the end of the note I ask them to pass the book along to someone else when they feel that they are finished with it.  Hence, I have stopped purchasing cards.  That saves anywhere from $2-$6!

The bottom line to saving yourself money is creativity.  Creativity will save you money! 

Look for inspiration, it truly does surround you.