The following are things I’ve felt have really enhanced my chosen role. Granted I am a bit of a type A, and doing many of these things could be deemed unnecessary , and doing all of them like I do is probably ridiculous. But pick one that really does cut a corner for you, and then maybe you’ll also think to try one that’ s new. I worry that some may be too obvious. I only know that no one told me, so there’s gotta be someone out there who doesn’t know. Of course there were no scientific trials, and I was only deciding their safety by my standards. Try at your own risk!
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February 24, 2010
Wrapping Paper
This past Christmas, I had a hard time finding the paper I wanted to use. Lots of it was too gaudy for my taste, or too cheesy. If there was a pattern I liked, it was in colors I didn’t. When I did buy some (so expensive!), I found the roll only wrapped a couple of gifts. What a ripoff!
With three young children in school, the birthday party invites come non-stop. They always want to buy different paper. Spongebob or superman, princess paper for the girls. I end up with tons of scrap rolls. A card for each gift too, and I’ve already used up a lot of my budget for the present itself!
My solution? Plain paper. I got one big roll of the stuff that you can wrap parcels in for shipping- the color of brown paper bags. I also got a big roll of the lighter colored paper, like the stuff you can wrap dishes in when you are moving. These two can be dressed up for anything, and they last forever!
For my packages, I use colored ribbon and something from outside. Fresh flowers, fall leaves, a small pinecone or acorns- even a piece of pine. The name tag goes ‘write’ on with felt tip markers. Yarn, rick-rack, a stamper that can make your own pattern, even colored polka-dots- there are lots of ways you can pretty your gifts up.
My kids have a blast with theirs. The card becomes a picture that they draw right onto the package. Sometimes the use stickers, or glitter pens. Paints, markers, crayons, it all works. Relatives absolutely love their homemade wrapping, and regret having to tear it to open. Their friends think their designs are cool, and the parents remark on the idea all the time. These days I’m seeing lots of these at the birthday parties!
Save money, save time, and make the most unique gifts around.
