By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Wrapping Christmas gifts can break our budget, especially when we want to give the best presents possible to friends and loved ones. The following are a few inexpensive and creative ways to showcase gifts, ones that create the wow factor while staying within our means.
Buy in Bulk
- Online bulk options to buy wrapping supplies equates to saving money.
- Search for close-outs and going-out-of-business options.
- Post-Christmas sales include savings from 50 to 75 percent off the original price. Store until next Christmas.
Creative Tips
- Invest in curling ribbon for your projects. YouTube has how-to videos that show even the novice innovative ways to make a package look spectacular.
- Use inexpensive wrapping paper to wrap a box. Look for YouTube tutorials.
- Cut scraps of wrapping paper to design gift tags. A hole punch makes the perfect spot to insert some curling ribbon or twine.
- Cut pieces of cardboard into gift tags. Those can be stenciled, painted, artfully handwritten or calligraphed, and/or decorated with miniature flowers and lace then simply let your imagination run wild.
- Decorate plain brown wrapping paper with dollar store finds—artificial flowers, doilies, stencils, ribbon, and tie with ribbon, twine, or burlap.
- Fashion Christmas cards into gift tags
- Dry flowers to add a personal touch to gift wrap and handmade cards. The 3-D effect is unique and nostalgic. YouTube has several video tutorials
- Hand-paint white or brown paper to personalize your gift wrap.
- Pinterest has a ton (well, maybe not a ton) of fun ideas.
Department Store Finds
- Fabric shops have remnant tables with an assortment of sewing supplies, craft items, and small pieces of fabric.
- Craft and hobby stores are a budget-seekers delight
- Hardware stores have bins of ideas to fuel the imagination—don’t forget the paint samples
Dollar Stores are Amazing
- Christmas paper selections,
- Gift bags
- Boxes of various sizes
- Ribbon
- Stickers – every type imaginable
- Pipe cleaners
- Marker, watercolor, and other art needs
- Small Christmas ornaments dress up a package
- Christmas towels to wrap homemade goodies
Nothing Beats Free!
- Some retail stores will wrap gifts as a service to customers.
- Many clothing items have extra buttons and ribbons that can be used decoratively
- Purchase gift items from retail stores that use sturdy paper bags.
- Out of brown paper, use an old-fashioned grocery store bag.
The imaginative person allows ingenuity to bring fun into a beautifully wrapped, Christmas gift. What budget-friendly ideas can you share?
Comments 8
I have used butcher paper in a pinch. They look lovely with nice ribbons or even a Christmas flower or pine pick.
I love receiving gifts that come in stacked boxes(Harry & David because I reuse the beautiful boxes the next year! They don’t even require wrapping. Just a nice fabric ribbon tied in a bow.
Kathy, I love Harry and David boxes – so many great uses.
Just to add a “guy perspective”, I take it Wal-Mart bags are out? “But I’m recycling Honey.” 🙂 I’m guessing brown butcher paper won’t work either?
Merry CHRISTmas Ms. Diane.
JD be own butcher paper I’ll work. You could team up with Diane, I’m sure she can add a touch of creative beauty.
Loretta, not sure about the creative beauty, but the look would be unique!
J.D., Add a bow to that Wal-Mart bag, and you’re good! And butcher paper works too. So you recycled and saved money 🙂
These are great! I’ve used old clothes fabrics (washed) to wrap around mason jars. Front sides of Christmas cards (cut off) are a great idea. Also, painting nature for gifting, like rocks and wood pieces with scripture or poems.
Mary Claire, those are great ideas. Thanks!