Anyone recycle gift wrap or bows? I read a hint in a book from someone who wraps presents in the comics from the newspaper.

For me I buy gift wrap at the Dollar Tree and don't buy bows at all.

Another cheap trick is to use plain brown packaging paper. It looks really nice with a pretty ribbon! This is especially good for very large presents.

DH used to use his expired aviation charts. They looked really cool as wrapping paper!

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Trust God. Whatever risk there is in doing so, the risk of not trusting in him is far greater. - Spurgeon

I recycle/reuse bows, some tissue paper, and gift bags. I usually buy Christmas wrap after Christmas when it's on clearance. A few years ago, I bought so much, I haven't had to buy any wrapping paper for the last 2 years, and won't need to this year either.

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~*~ Angie~*~
Wife to Brian
SAHM to Sarah & Andy 2/11/2000

I buy lots of wrapping paper in the summer at yard sales..and I always recycle whatever bows, ribbon, bags, that I can. Maps make great wrapping paper. I have also wrapped a present in brown paper, ( from a paper bag) and cut out pictures, sayings, etc from yard sale books and glue-sticked them on the paper. It looked really cute! My children have these wrapping paper fund-raisers at school and I REFUSE to buy a roll of wrapping paper for $12.00 (!) I"m Not Kidding!!

Our local big city newspaper gives away the roll-ends of plain newsprint paper. A roll-end goes a long way for all sorts of crafts. With our local newspaper you have to call ahead to find out when they are available (Wednesday am) but in other towns they are available anytime. Have the kids - or you - decorate the newsprint with stickers or marker.

I also like the idea of using paper in a single color and adding touches with the bow. This year we're going with a 'nature' theme so the wrapping is going to be newsprint, brown twine, a pine cone and a spray of berries. I get the artificial flower and berry sprays at the dollar store and cut them apart. When I see store-bought wrapping paper on clearance I pic up solid colored or generic rolls in green (St. Patricks day, spring), red (valentine's day), gold or silver (weddings, anniversaries and birthdays) and other colors. By switching around the color of the ribbon / bow, you can dramatically change the look and feel of the paper so it doesn't look Christmas-y.

I never use separate gift tags. I write directly onto the wrapping paper.

Usually around this year I start making fabric gift bags. The giver loves them and they can re-used over and over again. They aren't cheaper but they are definately more 'green'.

Make the wrap apart of the gift. Use towels, scarves, jars, baskets, etc.

And don't wrap at all. In our house, many of the gifts under the tree aren't wrapped. I know some families don't wrap the gifts from Santa. Since those gifts aren't under the tree until Christmas Eve, when the kids are in bed, it's no big deal if they are wrapped or not.

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"Poor people work for their money. Rich people make their money work for them."

Along with the idea of using newsprint or brown paper bags is a great craft for the kids. Use gold, silver, green or red paint and let your little ones use sponges cut in the shape of trees, stars or other Christmas shapes to sponge paint a pretty giftwrap. You can also use their hands and make handprints (grandparents love these!). If you don't have sponges use a potato and make potato prints on the paper. Hang to let dry and the kids will be able to tell teachers, friends and family "I made that!"

I'm pretty picky about wrapping paper for the holidays...so if I don't find some when it's 75% off at Target the year before, I just use brown kraft paper. I think it looks really nice! You can do all kinds of things to dress it up...sometimes I collect little pinecones to put thru the ribbon on top or small ornaments, bells etc

My MIL showed me this one. You can always find full rolls of wallpaper at our local Goodwill at $1 for the roll. It's nice for things like books or smaller boxes because it's so much thicker and folds nicely. I go with the simpler florals or creams with shimmers, etc. Another good thing about it is that you have less chance of corners poking through because it's so much stronger than paper. My husband is less than thrilled with the idea and is asking me if I'm going to get some wrapping paper soon...sigh... He doesn't like to appear TOO frugal.

Sharon

this is what i do dollar tree wrapping and no bows(they just make a mess anyway.)

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Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.

I would advise using school colors for birthday parties and then you don't have to buy separate girl or boy themed gift wrap. I bought a huge roll of blue giftwrap and a huge roll of yellow ribbon (I forget what it's called, it's for sewing and cost about $2). If I'm feeling really inspired, I'll cut out a paw print and glue it to the gift wrap because our school mascot is a Panther.

Along a similar theme, buy a packet of blank cards at the craft store and have your small kids draw cards for birthdays or whatever. Relatives will cherish the cards more than store-bought cards and you'll save money.

By being stocked up with this stuff, you'll save on gas if you have to make a special trip to the store.

This is my first post.