nearly FREE GIFT WRAPPING
GIFT WRAPPING SOLUTIONS THAT ARE (practically) FREE
I would like to say, I put a lot of time and energy into wrapping gifts but I don’t. I have on many occasions, dug to the back of my closet for a shopping bag, (If it’s an Anthro bag- it is a HUGE score) and then explained to the recipient, “BTW-it’s not from there- sorry.” It’s either that or, I haven’t even bought the gift until I am on my way over to deliver my gift so I bring a bag and tissue and then sit at the store deciding whether I buy the gift that will fit in my gift bag or buy what I think they really want, and then improvise. Another reason, I am not usually prepared is because wrapping paper and bows from your big box stores are expensive and generally look super cheap to me. Why would I spend $10 on wrapping my $40 gift? Solution: Collect and have on hand a few things so you can throw together the perfect gift wrapping.
So here are GIFT WRAPPING SOLUTIONS THAT ARE PRACTICALLY FREE… I swear by them!
Kraft paper roll or bags or white butcher paper- Honestly, no surprise here- Pinterest is chock full of ideas using this. Overplayed? YES. Could care less? YES. It’s a perfectly great blank canvas and it’s nearly free! Bags you can buy in bulk at the dollar store or your big box stores as well as the kraft paper roll from the packaging aisle.
Twine, ribbon, yarn or string- Another obvious, and overplayed, I know. Bare with me, I will get to the good stuff in a moment. I am an art material hoarder, or as I would like to say, I am resourceful. I can eye a great ribbon or great color string anywhere and I am not afraid to secretly sneak it into my purse before it is discarded at a party. At least it’s not the good silver- lol.
Stuffing (AKA) Excelsior or Crinkle Cut Paper- Skip the tissue paper unless you are going for dollar store “white”. This stuff is amazing, natural and so CHEAP. Ok, the crinkle cut not always but when a major holiday is over, every big box store is blowing this stuff out. Once again, yes, I buy this in bulk after every Easter, Christmas, and Valentines Day. 50c a bag usually! As for the Excelsior, you have to be a little more committed, and buy this in bulk. A typical box is usually $20 but it could get you through at least 3 years of holidays!
Last but not least- here is how you blow peoples mind and it only took you a creative second to make. Go to the junk drawer, the bottom of the toy bin, the marker bin, or even your toolbox in the garage. There are so many options to make the perfect gift topper and they are right under your nose. Here is where it’s all about making it personal. Small trinkets, a puzzle piece from that puzzle you can’t throw away even though you know it’s missing one piece, a hot wheel car your nephew left behind months ago, a pretty piece of textured patterned paper you have in your stationary box, an old necklace charm you haven’t worn or even a single flower from the garden. There is something that you ALREADY have that (IS FREE) and should make your perfect gift even more special.
If you are exhausted by now, and can’t bare to learn about the perfect card, I will skip it for now and save card making for another time. HOWEVER- don’t forget the sentiment! Consider just writing on the top of the wrapping. Why not? Use a nice marker (skip the ballpoint) and keep it sweet and simple. ….xoxo Sarah
Don’t believe me? Take a look at some of my previous gift wrapping projects!
