Creative and Frugal Gift Wrapping Ideas

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

31 May 2006 04:04 AM

All it takes is some thoughtfulness and creativity to choose great gifts and wrap them in ways that show how much you care. The bonus is the ability to save money at the same time! Try some of these ideas:

Personalize It

For small gifts, print your own wrapping paper from your computer. Type the recipient's name in different font styles or different colors all over the page. To avoid using a ton of ink, use bold letters, but only use color for the outline leaving the inside stroke white.

Enlist Your Little Artists

For grandparents' gifts, have your children design the wrapping paper. Give them plain paper to draw on, color, stamp, or stencil for Grandma and Grandpa.

Use Related Items

One good example is using a tea towel to wrap a kitchen gadget for your favorite cook. Another idea is photocopying sheet music to wrap a CD for your favorite music lover. A few copies, even large ones, will usually end up costing less than a roll of wrapping paper or gift bags and tissue paper. Also, make copies of photos or other images that the recipient will like. Copy a photo of your kids to make great wrapping paper for grandparents. Be sure to make matching gift cards.

Use Re-useable Items

You can often pick up pretty hatboxes for about the same price as a gift box and wrapping paper. A hatbox is perfect for any woman or girl, not only because it's different but also because it can be used again and again for other purposes.

Use What You Have

That shoebox will make a perfect gift box if you add a little paint, or cover it with leftover contact paper or wallpaper border that would otherwise just collect dust. Then, simply add an item that relates to the recipient's interests, such as attaching a baseball card for your favorite little slugger. When you receive a gift, save those gift bags and re-use them. Just be sure to look for gift tags and remove them first.

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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Nicole Humphrey (15757) 31 May 2006 02:22 PM

Who isn't always looking for creative gift wrapping ideas that are cost-effective too! Once again, you rock Sherry!

Sherry Holetzky (11404) 31 May 2006 05:25 PM

You made my day! Thank you, Nicole.