Getting Free Gift Wrap

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

17 Nov 2008 10:44 AM

Whether you are wrapping presents for a birthday party or for the holidays, gift wrap can be expensive. Why spend as much on the wrap as you do on the present? There are some strategies that you can use to get some absolutely free gift wrap. Put that extra money toward buying more gifts, or just save it. Take a look at the following ways to get free gift wrap.

Around the holidays, most department stores will offer free gift wrapping with a purchase. You just have to head over to customer service. There may be some long lines, so be sure to get there early. Not only is the gift wrap free, but you save from having to do the wrapping yourself.

Department stores also offer boxes with purchase if you ask. If you have a box then chances are that you don't even need the gift wrap. Use the supplies you already have at home to do the decorating. Markers, stickers, cut outs from magazines, old photos, children's artwork, and more can also be used to make your box festive. This is a fun project for the kids to do.

If possible, use an element of the gift itself as the wrap. One good example is with baby gifts. Use a baby blanket as an instant wrapping bag. Just place the other gifts inside and gather the corners together, tying them with a pastel ribbon.

Get your wrapping paper for free in unexpected places. For example, ask for old wallpaper books that are no longer needed at home stores. These books have lots of great "paper" that can be used to wrap gifts. Printers often have the ends of newspaper print available for free.

Use old magazines and calendars to wrap small presents. There are usually plenty of colorful scenes to choose from, and you are helping the environment by reusing this wrap instead of purchasing some. Be on the look out for tissue paper whenever you buy anything, such as shirts. This tissue paper can be saved and used later if it is in good shape.

Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans.

Inexpensive Gifts You Can Make

Practical Gifts for a Frugal Family

Practical Gifts for a Frugal Family Part 2

Gift Card Pitfalls

Stocking Stuffer Picks from the Dollar Store

Create Beautiful Gift Certificates Online

Inexpensive Co-Worker Gifts

Frugal Random Acts of Kindness

Are you subscribed to the Families.com Frugal Living Blog? With the click of a button, you can receive an email notification anytime a new blog is posted in the Families.com Frugal Living Blog!

Just look to the right of this blog and find the subscription center (it looks just like this picture, although you'll have to find the "real" one just above the category listing ). Click on "Subscribe via Email". You'll be instantly subscribed and the email address that you registered at Families.com with will receive an instant notification whenever we post a new Frugal Living Blog! Don't miss a thing - subscribe now!

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger