I'm interested in hearing any creative suggestions on how to save money on gift wrap. I try to buy mine on clearance and re-use all the gift bags we get. But - if you don't have anything in your house already that you can use, what are some creative ideas for creating pretty packages?

I use fabric. Use it just like paper and you can tie it up with ribbon or cut one inch strips of the fabric. Also , I learned the art of Japanese gift wrapping : it use several peices of small paper so you can use your kids art work magazine adds. FOr a borthday its fun to use chinese take out menues.

I also was going to say fabric! Pick it up marked down after Christmas- you never have to buy paper again (make it known to however you give a wrapped present to that you will need it back- better to use with close family members!).

Use the Sunday Comics

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I buy on clearance or from the dollar store (think jumbo rolls). Tin foil can make a pretty package, or newspaper (especially comics), or kids artwork.

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~Happiness is a large family~

I usually get my gift wrap on sale after Christmas or at the dollar store if I seem to be running low. But I was going to say the comics. I remember my mom doing this when I was a child.

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~Jill~

I also will use freezer paper that I stamp, brown paper bags (either little ones for small gifts or big ones from the grocery store) stamped, tissue paper stamped, etc.

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i buy the big packages of wrapping paper on boxing day. its always super cheap. we still have aton of it from 2 years ago. i just keep buying it on boxing day lol. i would also say fabric wouldbe nice. we used to make fabric bags with a drawstring and then it would be a neat thing to pass it along through the family nad see how lon git lasts for.

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Kimberley

"there is nothing to worry about, just plenty to think about" from an episode of Extreme Makeover House edition

check out my blog:
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Look for solid color paper after Xmas or patterns that you can use all year round and buy the day after XMas. I've use tissue paper in a pinch, multiple layers. Plain shirt boxes decorated by my kids with markers, colors or stickers. Turn a brown grocery bag inside out and stamp it. For small boxes colored computer/printing paper. Aluminum foil is pretty even all crinkled up.

Several years ago I bought a huge roll of brown freezer paper for less than $10. I wrapped all of our presents in it for 2 years. I watched for ribbon on clearance and added a pretty ribbon and bow. The kids even decorated the paper for grandparents and aunts and uncles. I also used a toothbrush dipped in paint to dust the paper with gold flakes.