Part of being frugal is avoiding waste. And one use wrapping paper is certainly wasteful. But part of the excitement of gift giving (and receiving) is the care that goes in to the presentation. Is it possible to give beautifully wrapped gifts without being wasteful, and to save money at the same time?
The answer is yes with these clever suggestions!
Use paper bags or plain brown paper tied with kitchen twine—but dress it up with flowers, Christmas ornaments, pine cones, Pieces of old jewelry, sprigs of sage, anything you make have around house that is pretty. You can also make a stamp out of a cut potato to decorate the paper.
Use maps that have outlived their use. This is especially good for the traveler on your list.
How about using up some of those bits of fabric you have tucked away for “someday”? They may not be big enough to sew, but they would make a very nice gift-wrap. Decorate with a big bow and your present will be as nice on the outside as it is on the inside.
Clay flowerpots are a cute way to package a gift, and can be used to grow herbs or flowers after there current use is over with. Just take the saucer and use it as a lid for the “wrapping”. Then tie a ribbon around the whole thing to keep the lid on. Put a bow on top and slide the gift tag underneath. What a beauty!
Mason jars are a great way to present food gifts. Wrap a ribbon at the neck of the jar and decorate with sprigs or flowers. And the jar can be re-used by the recipient.
Recycled gift-wrap is also a possibility. Try scooping up gift-wrap anywhere you see it, before someone throws it away. Then you can use it to wrap small items. Every little bit helps.
Save any nice bags with handles that you may come across during the year and use them during the holidays. Some ribbon to tie together the handles and a little tissue paper to add pizzazz and you are done.
We hope this leads you to rethink paper waste and save some money this season.
Delightful Homemade
Gift Wraps