ALT-1 Best way to Wrap a Gift without Wrapping Paper
The idea of opening gifts has been thoroughly embedded in our concept of the holiday season, reinforced by the lyrics in some of our most famous Christmas Carols. In order for there to be this beautiful unveiling of the magical gifts, there simply must be wrapping paper, right? Wrong! With a little bit of creativity and a personal touch, you can mask those treasures until the last moment, continuing the tradition of going “Round and Round the Christmas Tree. Opening Presents with the family…”
Consider the following traditional substitutes for wrapping paper:
Large Bow
There are some gifts that are better left tucked away until the last minute, only to be presented with a large puffy bow and all its natural glory. A shiny new bike will get the same awe-struck moment when its wheeled out of the garage in that big red bow as it would somehow tarped or wrapped and under the tree.
Gift Boxes
Boxes don’t require wrapping paper. You can tie it up with a ribbon or top it with a bow, but the beauty of a gift box lies in the ability to reuse it.
Gift Bags
You can find all kinds of gift bags to use to hide your gifts. These gift bags can be reused, too, making them a good way to save some money and be a little greener over the holiday season.
Tissue Paper
While not as sturdy as wrapping paper, tissue paper can do a fine job hiding gifts at a relatively low cost. You can pick up packages of plain and colored tissue paper at the local dollar store.
Baskets
Baskets are a cute way to contain themed gifts. While they don’t entirely mask the gift, they become a clever part of the gift and provide a lovely presentation.
Newspaper
Who says you have to use specially purchased wrapping paper to tuck away those special packages? Newspaper will do the trick! And you can easily personalize the gifts by using pages that include articles or sections appropriate for the gift’s recipient. Use the sports section for your football player and the comics for your youngsters. Have an opinionated loud mouth in the family? Go ahead and give him/her a little dig by wrapping his/her gift in the editorials.
Brown Paper Bags
Go ahead and reuse those brown paper grocery bags to cover your gifts! Jazz up the boring brown paper with stickers, stamps, magazine cut outs, etc.
Fabric
Tie something up with Fabric—Fabric is easily reused, making it another greener, more economical choice!
All of the aforementioned options provide some great variety in your gift wrap. But if you’re looking for something more creative this holiday season, consider the following:
Reusable Shopping Bags
If you as the gift giver or if the gift receiver is a particularly green-conscious individual, a reusable shopping bag is a practical, clever, and personalized way to wrap your gifts. They would be particularly appropriate for themed gifts of green products or kitchen and household wares.
Purse/Bag
Use a small, inexpensive purse to wrap gifts of makeup, nail products, jewelry, or other feminine gifts.
Tool Box
Give handy gifts in a tool box or even a tool belt! It’s practical and will be a refreshing change to the froo-froo wrapping paper and bow.
Blanket
Bundle clothing or warm winter wear in a throw blanket or a homemade no-sew blanket and you’ll have a toasty warm gift.
Crate or Bucket
While gift baskets look fabulous, they’re often more of a feminine gift. Use a theme to put together gifts for the men in your life like car care accessories or other man cave items that they’ll enjoy!
Regardless of what you use to wrap your gifts this year, the idea is to make them personal and thoughtful. Wrapping paper doesn’t need to be another chore for the giver and a meaningless –though pretty—barrier between them and their new gift. Turn the wrapping itself into an act of love by being purposeful in your chosen gift wrap this year.
