UPDATE: This post originally ran on November 4th 2013, but for all of you who are wrapping your holiday gifts today, we wanted to share it again!
There’s nothing like the feeling of unwrapping a gift. The excitement of not knowing what’s inside; the thoughtfulness of the gift-giver; the look on his or her face as you find out what’s inside… it can bring you back to a childlike mindset, where life is simple and so full of wonder. What can be upsetting, though, is that gift wrap serves its purpose for such a short time — and that it’s not a necessity. This year, why not try wrapping your gifts with reusable materials? It’s a beautiful thing because it gives you such an opportunity to get creative, all while giving a new use to old materials. Here are some ideas for alternative gift wrapping this year. The first way is using paper materials you’ve collected, like paper bags from grocery stores or crinkled paper that comes wrapped around delicate objects when you purchase them. Gather some natural string and twine, as well as some beautiful berries, pine snippings, or twigs from outside for embellishment.
I love how simple these twigs look — they remind me of reindeer antlers.
We also have some adorable bells and ornaments available online this season that are perfect for topping gifts!
I love the natural color palette these have all taken on.
Another way to wrap your gifts is to use a piece of clothing you no longer wear. I had been meaning to give a new use to this vintage printed romper — and this was the perfect opportunity.
First, cut your fabric so that it can be formed into a pouch, and will be the proper size to fit your gift. Hold on to the scraps.
Make sure you can roll the fabric to surround your gift, with some to spare.
Fold the fabric up, like this. Leave a few inches on top.
Stitch up the sides with a needle and thread, securing with a double knot.
Then, slide your gifts inside and place the flap over the opening.
Finish by tying a scrap piece around the package, and adding any embellishments you choose — I used a feather.
How will you be wrapping your gifts this year? Let us know!
For gift ideas, have a look at our ‘Tis the Season Holiday Shop!
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This are such cute ideas :)
xx
http://www.zoesparablepsia.blogspot.com
I love the handmade look, and always prefer to wrap my gifts with things like newspaper or brown paper bags because it gives it a more personal feeling to me (and it’s cheaper of course). Adding berries and leaves as a little accent is a nice idea.
http://www.adiasinead.blogspot.com
I have always wrapped presents in kraft paper or old newspapers…but I really love the fabric idea!I especially love personalizing them with little trinkets like you did.
Happy Monday Bridgette!
i LOVE these ideas!! xox
Yes! it’s that time of year. These are such cute ideas!
xx
MacK @ SoulMakes | Blog
Love love love this. Last year I used the reverse side of Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s bags and made paper snowflakes for decorations out of leftover paper from the office. It looked great! I like the idea of decorating using some greenery.
http://lamentinglizzie.blogspot.com
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Last year I bought all my presents in Granada, Spain where I was studying for the semester. For gift wrap, I used maps I picked up from the local department store. It was a cute way to show everyone where I was living for the past three months and didn’tcost me anything!
Brilliant Brigette :)
Xoxo,
Christin
So cute! I’ve been hand-printing snowflakes on butcher paper for my wrapping paper this year! I love the idea of using vintage fabric tho!
I love the wrapping! Such cute ideas. I may have to use some of these this year!
http://nycfitfoodfashion.com/
This is so cute!
wow – nice idea. and i love packaging. great, to see some new alternatives to make presents special ;)
groetjes
vreeni von freak in you
These are all AMAZING!!! Love a little upcycling. ;)
http://happinessiscreating.com/
Yes, such great christmas wrapping ideas!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/167626173/christmas-gift-wrapping?ref=listing-shop-header-4
Love the littler berries on the wrapping paper.
XOXO,
http://outfitidentifier.com/
Such cute ideas!! Big fan of the brown paper :) Thanks for sharing.
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http://www.alexasonken.com
Nice, but you cut up a really cute romper :(
I love to wrap gifts in brown paper bags or even in postcards or pictures. It’s such a unique touch that stands out in a sea of store bought neons.
I never buy wrapping paper, i was raised to not waste paper. so what i LOVE and always use is News Paper!! usually i got tons of newspapers piled up at home, so when i have a gift for a loved person i spend some time digging, looking for a nice picture that i think matches their personality or what they mean to me. try to wrap it so the picture is up on the front! mostly i end up using pictures of the art or movie section ;) this way i add a personal note to the hopefully already personal gift :))
i will add stuff from the garden or park tho from now on! thanx for the inspiration!
Not only does this just look SO much better, but it saves money, and it is so much better than buying because of the recycling! So whimsical!
xo, Juliette Laura
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/InfiniteStyleShop
Great ideas! I love using brown paper for my wrapping!
Beautiful ideas!! ♥♥♥
WE❤DIY:
DIYEARTE – DIY
Simply perfect!! Can’t wait for the christmas to come! :D
love it!!! thank you!!! im so going to do this :)!
So good ideas! :)
http://www.dodolce.blogspot.com