6 Creative and Inexpensive Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas
Before the tips, a quip:
“Nothing’s as mean as giving a little child something useful for Christmas,” said Kin Hubbard.
If you give a kid a useful Christmas present, he might like the wrapping paper better than the gift itself. That’s no fun – but I’m sure you have some creative gift ideas for kids! (if not, ask me for ideas below; I’d be happy to dig something up for you). And, read on for several gift wrapping tips, or click The Gift Wrapping Book for more elaborate ways to present your presents…
6 Creative and Inexpensive Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas for the Holidays
Remember – it’s crucial to plan ahead. If you leave things until the last minute, you’re more likely to rush out and buy glitzy, expensive wrapping paper. Instead, start early and make wrapping gifts part of the holiday experience.
If you need Christmas gift ideas for the woman in your life, read The Best Christmas Gifts for Women. And if you want to buy a special Christmas present for the man you love, read Romantic Holiday Gift Ideas for Christmas for Him.
1. Use mandarin orange boxes as gift boxes. “I save our clementine boxes every year and reuse them to create gorgeous gift baskets,” says Meghan. “You can shred paper or paper bags to use as stuffing. Just top it off with a recycled bow from last Christmas and you’re set to go with an eco-friendly gift!” For a festive look, you can paint, colour, or paste natural decorations on the outside of the box. This is a great way to save money at Christmas.
2. Stuff gifts inside other gifts. Wrap gift cards in fluffy socks or slippers, or fold a cookbook into an apron. Shawls, scarves, towels, and afghans – tied up with a pretty bow or ribbon – are creative, practical ways to enclose holiday gifts. Travel mugs, ceramic coffee cups, bicycle helmets, and beach or garden pails are also empty vessels to begging to be filled.
3. Dig out your old maps, calendars, and comic books. Your 2009 calendar will be history soon, so put it to good use now! Get creative with your Christmas gift wrap, and wrap your presents in an assortment of old calendars, outdated maps, glossy magazine pages, and newspapers.
4. Use hemp, silk, or cotton tote bags as wrapping paper. Those cloth bags are great Christmas “wrapping paper” that can later be used for library books, groceries, and odds ‘n ends in the car (I keep a tote bag of full water bottles so we never drive thirsty). Or, make your own cloth tote bags out of red, white, and green material – my hubby even sews drawstrings into his.
5. Find exotic recycled paper to use as holiday gift wrap. Mr. Ellie Pooh is an organization that recycles Sri Lankan elephant dung into stationery, crafts, and wrapping paper – without using toxic chemicals or depleting natural resources. Look in your local stores or Christmas craft fairs for recycled, sometimes hand-made, wrapping paper.
6. Use kids’ art projects as holiday wrapping paper. Children’s art projects can make sentimental yet simple Christmas gift wrap. If you don’t already have “wrapping paper” taped up on your fridge, set the kids up with recycled paper, paint, and crafts. Their Christmas chore is to make wrapping paper for the whole family…while you relax with a hot apple cider.
If you have any ideas for inexpensive Christmas gift wrap, please share below!
And if you’re looking for gift ideas, read Healthy Holiday Gifts for Friends, Colleagues, or Family Members.
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Comment by candygiftbaskets on 21 November 2009:
Great tips. I prefer to use the gift bags. Not only you can save on buying the wrapping papers, the recipient can recycle the gift bags.
You can sew the gift bags with many different fabrics and sizes. If you are planning to do that, Martha Stewart has some great ideas for that. You can also hang on the Christmas tree. They are so beautiful and charming.
Comment by candygiftbaskets on 21 November 2009:
Great tips. I prefer to use the gift bags. Not only you can save on buying the wrapping papers, the recipient can recycle the gift bags.
You can sew the gift bags with many different fabrics and sizes. If you are planning to do that, Martha Stewart has some great ideas. You can also hang on the Christmas tree. They are so beautiful and charming.
Comment by Michelle on 30 November 2009:
These are great ideas for Christmas gift wrap, thanks! I like to wrap my gifts in scarves, hats, and mittens
Comment by Charissa - The Gifted Blog on 5 January 2010:
I found your post while doing research for my own blog about gift wrapping (www.thegiftedblog.com). I like your ideas, especially the clementine boxes since those are in season around the holidays anyway.
I am definitely of the mindset that you don’t need to spend much to make your gifts beautifully presented! Thanks for sharing.