ALT-1 Cheap Gift Wrap Inexpensive Wrap Creative Gift Wrap Trash to Gift Wrap
Ever run out of gift wrap at the last minute and frantically try to think of another way to wrap a present? There is no rule that says a gift has to be wrapped in gift paper. In fact, using different ideas will perhaps make the person receiving the gift feel a little more special, like you really put a lot of thought and time in not only buying the present, but wrapping it as well.
Baby blankets are great for wrapping baby gifts, use diaper pins or safety pins instead of tape. Or lay the gifts on the blanket, gather it all up and tie a ribbon around the top to make it look like a special delivery for that bundle of joy! Pretty practical as well, the baby blanket can be used instead of having all that gift wrap paper left to be thrown away.
Favorite T-shirts that kids have outgrown, or even buying new ones for gifts can be used for gift wrapping as well. Place the gift in a square box, slip the T-shirt over it and tie the armholes and the bottom with ribbon to close them. Printing a picture or using a snapshot of the person receiving the gift on the outside instead of a gift tag let's them know exactly who the gift is for! Gifts for kids can be wrapped in coloring book pages. Tape a few pages together to make it big enough for the gift. Attach a small box of crayons or a pack of markers to the outside with curling ribbon or double sided tape.
Newspaper is an excellent way to wrap gifts, and there is a section for every age group. For men, choose a section such as the sports page, an article on politics, or the weather page. For someone who needs reading glasses, buy a pair from a dollar store and attach to the outside. For children, the comic's page is bright and colorful and attaching a rolled up comic book to the outside or even a candy cane or lollipop makes it a lot more fun to receive! And for women there is usually a section with recipes, a health and beauty section, or even a coupon section!
Crossword puzzle book pages are ideal for people who enjoy working puzzles. Tear out a couple of pages, wrap the gift, and attach a pencil or erasable pen to the outside, or even a small pocket dictionary can be added.
Using aluminum foil can be a way to tell someone they are special, after wrapping the gift, attach a note to the outside, saying something like "to my bright and sparkling daughter" etc., and it will make them shine!
For large gifts, plastic tablecloths can be bought in a dollar store, and can be decorated in many different ways. Even garbage bags can be used, when cut neatly and used to wrap a large present you can't even tell it is a garbage bag. It can be tied with a large ribbon or lots of curling ribbon. Attach balloons to the outside of the package, or anything that corresponds with the occasion.
Old posters, calendars, charts or maps can be used as gift wrap instead of throwing them away. It doesn't matter if they are a little worn or torn, just use the best pieces, folding the torn parts under.
Plastic bowls with lids, tied with ribbon can be used for many different gifts. It is like giving two gifts in one! Homemade cookies or candy can be put inside, play dough for kids so that after they finish playing it can be sealed up to keep it fresh, even washcloths, kitchen towels, or cloth napkins can be put inside and given as a housewarming gift.
Mailing tubes can be used to put posters for teenagers inside, or you can even roll up a shirt for dad and put in inside. Tie with ribbons on each end and it looks like a huge piece of candy!
Crumple brown paper bags or brown mailing paper, smooth it out and use it to wrap gifts, it's makes an interesting texture, and a good idea for men. Use twine instead of ribbon, they will love it because it doesn't look so "girlie"!
There are many different ways to wrap gifts without using wrapping paper. It's fun to be creative and especially fun to receive gifts that are different, special, and one of a kind. Just take a look around the house and use your imagination! The ideas are endless!
