Five Creative Gift Wrapping Paper Alternatives

The beauty of giving gifts during the holiday season is that they can easily be customized to fit the recipient’s personality. And while there are literally all sorts of places to purchase beautiful, inexpensive wrapping paper, it is sometimes more fun to create your own. In case you’ve run out of the store-bought stuff, or if you just feel like putting a creative spin on the Christmas holidays, try one of these interesting ideas.

Magazines

Are you gifting that budding fashionista with some lovely trinkets this season? Save that old stodgy wrapping paper for a more “sedate” personality. Use glossy magazine covers from old issues as wrapping paper. Make it even more festive by using a festive ribbon to tie around the package. This is a great idea for ‘tween and young adult Christmas gifts for girls.

Spare Fabric

If you happen to have some old fabric lying around (from one of your millions of home interior projects) then you have just landed some great gift-wrapping material. You might need to be a little creative about how to adhere the fabric so that it doesn’t slip off. But clear packaging tape should do the trick on most common fabrics. Consider using fabric when wrapping soft items, or a collection of trinkets. You can also use the material to make a decorative “pouch”; tie the top of the pouch with velvet ribbon for an extra touch.

Old Jeans

Have you lost a ton of weight and have lots of old jeans lying around? Put them to good use and create your own funky wrapping “paper.” Depending upon the size of the present(s) and the amount of denim material, you can create zippy-looking (pun intended) packaging for jewelry gifts or even cosmetics. Go a step further, and “decorate” the jeans with markers or paint. Use the back portion of the jeans to wrap your box, and stick a festive little Christmas card in the pocket. Tie with ribbon and you’re ready to offer your gift.

Notebook/ White/ Construction Paper

Get kids into the holiday season by helping them to create their own Christmas crafts. This could also include making their own wrapping paper for “Secret Santa” swapping parties they have at school. With glitter, tape, colored paper and crayons, your little ones will love making their own gift coverings for the presents they hand out.

Foil/ Colored Plastic Wrap

You may think that using aluminum foil is a tacky way to wrap presents. But with a little ingenuity and a bit of flair, you can actually create a kitschy looking gift that your recipients will love. Foil can be painted or adorned in any number of crafty ways. Play upon its shiny aspects and add metallic ribbons. This is a great way to wrap gifts of jewelry or other small items. Wrinkle the material to add texture; or keep the foil smooth for a more “polished” effect. Additionally, colored plastic wrap is also a great idea. You can use the wrap to create pouches for homemade candy or fudge; or use it as “filling” for packing other holiday gifts.

SOURCES:

www.kroger.com
www.michaels.com
www.ehow.com
www.papermart.com