Christmas Papers: Simple and Elegant Ideas for Gift Wrap

Look forward to exchanging gifts at Christmas for one real reason: gift wrap. I love finding the right gift for friends and family, but as soon as I accomplish that mini-mission, I set my sights on the perfect gift wrap.

People love to receive a beautifully-wrapped gift. A simple bottle of wine or box of stationery wrapped as if it were actually dropped from heaven will forever linger as a favorite gift memory. For some, the idea of even having to wrap a gift once they've battled the crowds, lines and traffic at the mall to buy it is an unwelcome task. It doesn't have to be that way. I have a few ideas for gift wrap that are simple, inexpensive, and sure to impress.

Everyone knows it's a Christmas gift! Resist the urge to buy that multi-roll of Christmas-themed wrapping paper! Find your way outside the holiday aisle and choose a gift wrap you love. Obviously, you don't want to go with the “It's a boy” or birthday paper, but solid colored paper, paper with stripes and patterns, even wedding-gift paper are ideal for Christmas.

Choose a theme: Try to come up with a theme for your gift wrap in advance. Then, keep an eye out for items that go with your theme.

Pick a color: I'm thinking of going blue this year. Choose a color and buy paper, ribbons, etc. that match and complement your choice.

Wrap like Laura Ingalls: Use brown butcher's paper and white string like they did in the pioneer days. Attach a little holly and your gifts will look like you hired Martha Stewart herself!

Old wall paper: Use up those old wallpaper scraps you have. But, use tape, not paste to attach them!

Newspaper: An old favorite (and it's really cheap). Go with the comics if you can. Or, use the section most appropriate for your gift recipient (sports, business, etc.).

Design your own paper: Buy white butcher's paper and some markers and let loose. This is a great idea for kids who love to make things their own.

Gift bags: Always a solid stand-by. Jazz yours up with a unique bow or some greenery. And DON'T tape the handles together. Everyone hates that. Be kind and attach a gift tag as opposed to writing directly on the bag. That way it can be recycled.

Fabric remnants: A fabulous substitution for paper, fabric can be fastened with heavier duty tape or even hot glue (consider the gift you're wrapping before you go with the hot glue). Fabric sacks tied with ribbon are shabby chic. If you're feeling ambitious, hem or seal the edges so there won't be frays.

Once you've decided on what to wrap your gift in, you get to choose an adornment. I love to use fresh greenery (there's plenty of it outside). Attach it the day you plan to give the gift so it won't wilt. Small ornaments and giant tissue paper pom-poms are eye-catching and simple. Do your best to avoid the stick-on bow. Ribbon is very inexpensive at your local craft/fabric store, and during the holidays, it is usually on sale.

Next is the gift tag. I know, I know, you can buy those pre-made, too, but what's the fun in that? Buy a box of inexpensive holiday cards and cut business-card-size rectangles out. Use a hole-punch and attach them to your gift with ribbon. Make use of your printer and create gift tags with your computer, or print out old favorite holiday photos and write on the backs.

Box or no box? I prefer to box my gifts, but this is really a matter of taste. In most cases it is much easier to wrap a box than an oddly-shaped gift. Boxes are readily available during the holidays and are pretty inexpensive. And, since most people like to use boxes, too, you can recycle the ones your gifts came in last year!

Christmas is a perfect time of year to really go over-the-top when wrapping gifts. A beautiful gift is simply that, a beautiful gift. Don't rely solely on the tips I offer above. Venture off the tracks and come up with some ideas of your own. Think of the gifts you give this year as blank canvases waiting to be brought to life by the artist in you!

Keywords: gift wrap, gift wrap ideas, wrapping paper, holidays, holiday gift wrap

About the Author
Kate Walling
kate@thesecretingredients.com
More Details about make holiday gift wrap here.

Kate Walling is founder of Secret Ingredients (www.TheSecretIngredients.com). She so cherished the traditions passed down in her family that she came up with a way to help other families do the same by creating personalized heirloom cookbooks. Visit http://www.thesecretingredients.com or contact her at kate@thesecretingredients.com.