Christmas is just around the corner! If you like to present gifts in a way that is visually appealing but not wasteful, then this post is for you. I’m going to share with you a few ideas to wrap your gifts using homemade gift wrap.
- Recycled wrapping paper. This is the easiest DIY wrapping paper. Grab a map, the comics from the newspaper, a sheet from a foreign newspaper, a page or two from an old recipe book (for smaller items), a paper grocery bag, a cleaned out potato chip bag, or any material you have around that is large enough and attractive enough to wrap up a gift. Finish it off with some ribbon and you’re ready to go.
- Decorated paper. Reuse any large paper (we’ll be using the paper given to us by the moving company we used) such as brown paper. You can present your gift in plain paper or jazz it up by decorating it. This is a great thing for your kids to do. The kids can stamp it with rubber stamps, make shapes with glue (for more uniform, “perfect” shapes, dip the edges of cookie cutters in the glue then press against the flat paper) then sprinkle glitter over the glue shapes, make finger paint hand and foot prints (browse Pinterest for pattern ideas–I have a whole board dedicated to hand and footprint crafts), glue things on it (such as pom poms), or simply paint or otherwise color pictures. Adults can decorate the paper by stenciling patterns onto it or making patterns using ribbon or yarn.
- Fabric. You can buy fancy cloth wrapping “paper” (called furoshiki) or simply use cheap pieces of fabric (purchase from the scrap bin at the store) or scraps that you already have. Wrap up the gift and secure the cloth with ribbon. See the video just below (which I found on YouTube, not my work) that shows how to wrap gifts with fabric. Another idea is to use a cloth drawstring bag.
- Gift items. Wrap the gift with part of the gift itself. This could be items like a tee-shirt, a scarf, an apron, sheets, or a blanket. Secure with knots or a ribbon.
- Natural wrapping paper. If you have access to giant leaves or are crafty at weaving grass or hay (or grass and sticks) together into a sheet, these things make very creative, unique wrapping paper. Secure with ribbon or grass.
- Containers. A great reusable way to present gifts which also includes less work than actual wrapping is to simply put your gift in a container. Glass containers, such as mason jars, are my personal favorite because they’re easy to decorate, look beautiful, and are handy to reuse. Cookie tins, cardboard boxes, baskets, wood boxes, mugs, and various other containers can also be used.
- Paper bags. Use recyclable gift bags or simple brown paper lunch sacks to stow your gift. Decorate with bows and ribbons to add a cheerful touch.
For more homemade gift presentation ideas, check out these posts, too:
- How to Make a Star Bow with Cloth Ribbon (with free printable)
- How to Make a Flower-shaped Gift Card with Envelope (with free printable)
- How to Make a Basic or Owl Pillow Box (with free printable)
Visit Happy Mothering and The Pistachio Project to learn more about participating in next month’s Natural Living Blog Carnival!
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I love the idea of using fabric to wrap a gift, especially if the recipient loves to sew or quilt.
I have some cloth wrapping “paper” and bags, but I’d love to add more to my stash this year. I like letting the girls draw on paper too when the presents are from them.
I’m a big fan of newspaper comics as wrapping paper! I also love simple brown paper wrapped with twine. Great list!
We had the kids color on old packing paper, like the brown paper you get at Ikea, and then wrapped paper in that! Thanks for the great green Christmas ideas! Pinning this.
I hadn’t even thought about making my own wrapping paper, I often do it for birthdays but Christmas is no different, thank you for the reminder!
Lots of great ideas. I’m notorious for reusing our wrapping paper (ok mostly the bags and tissue paper) and I love just using butcher or freezer paper and decorating it up a bit.
I am ALL about Green holidays! Thanks for the tips I am going to have to utilize some of these for my gifts that I give out this year 🙂