Saturday, November 26, 2011

CLEVER & PRACTICAL Gift Wrap Alternatives!


I shared some of these ideas on a different blog last year, but thought I'd share here for all those Black Friday shoppers that need to dress all those gift deals they just scored! :)
This time of year stores are full of colorful paper gift wrap, bags and bows. While paper gift wrap makes a nice presentation, it's really nothing more than trash. So, I offer a few alternatives here that are equally colorful, nicely presentable and even more, practical options!
 Pillowcase Gift Wrap
 
For the kids in the family, wrapping their gifts in pillowcases made especially for them is a special bonus gift they will enjoy using again and again! Another advantage to the pillowcase wrap, it can be folded to accomadate many size gifts or used as a bag for larger boxed items. And if you don't want to make them, they can also be purchased ready made....and for about the same price as some holiday gift bags!
Cute don't you think?
Now, this is a fun one that the kids will enjoy helping with! Our laundry soap comes in these nice fabric bags that I just can't bear to throw out. You could use them as is for a nostalgic kind of wrap or, turn them inside out and let the kids have fun decorating them with markers or paints, again, personalizing the presentation, not just the gift! (Love this one of my lil' guy's hand....think I'll wrap something for myself with it!) ;)
How 'bout a classic that you just can't go wrong with, the newspaper comics. I remember getting Christmas gifts as a child wrapped in the comics and tied with yarn. I always loved that! And of course, you can choose your recipients favorite comic strip and then they get to enjoy reading it as well! Talk about colorful!....not to mention, newspaper, in general, composts and recycles more easily than that shiny gift wrap.

Don't ya just love Garfield!?!?!?

This one the kids will have fun with too! We used a formula can, but you could also use an oatmeal canister, coffee can or any can with a smooth surface and snap lid. We also used fabric scraps, but again, use your imagination here....you could use newspaper or magazine cut outs, last years Christmas cards or whatever. Glue your decoration choice to the outside of the container and Voila! These are perfect for breakable gifts like ornaments....especially if you are a holiday traveler.


For gift bags, check out the Wrapped Up post over at Threading My Way. She offers a variety of bag options depending on your recipient, many that can be used as totes and such afterwards and all of course that can be reused for gifting again in the future! I love this one!
Daisy Janie also offers a PDF for a roll up produce bag that would be a great gift in itself! And there is of course the handy (& free!) tote tutorial over at Green Bag Lady too!

And what about this PERFECT combo for the gift/gift wrap...it's a pattern called Pillow Pack and supports Create H.O.P.E. Designs orphan care outreach!
This is ideal for those holiday travelers and readers on your list! The pillow provides a soft place to rest and the pockets will hold all their necessary items like books and chapstick nearby! I love it!

 To top it all off, check out this tutorial with printable template for Gift Tags made from last years Christmas cards by Homespun Threads. Love this idea!!!

So, have a little fun, save a little money and avoid a little unnecessary waste this year with creative alternatives to paper gift wrap!

9 comments:

Pam @Threading My Way said...

I love the pillowcase idea, Kristy. Looks fabulous how you've wrapped it up. I would never have thought of doing that. Could be used for adults as well, if the right fabric was used. I know my Mum would like to receive a present like that. I'm hoping to make her some cushions and a pretty pillow case would be the perfect way to wrap. Hope you don't mind, but I'm pinning this.

Pam @Threading My Way said...

I did wrap my Mum's cushions in a pillowcase I made her and she thought it was a great idea. Thanks to you, I've used this idea a few times now and it's always been well received!!!

Pam @Threading My Way said...

Hi Kristy, I've featured your pillowcase packaging today...
http://threadingmyway.blogspot.com/2012/07/threading-your-way-features_28.html

Sandra :) said...

Reusable gift wrapping - everybody should do this :) Pillowcases are perfect for wrapping gifts - no waste, and they're a gift in themselves, plus you can really personalize the fabric choices to the recipient - win win :) I hadn't thought about decorating lidded cans for gift packaging - that's a cool idea - I'll start saving them - hubby will probably need to open another can of coffee soon, lol!

I give handmade gift bags as gifts - I've even stamped the recipient's name on muslin bags - that went over really well!

Claire Jack said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Claire Jack said...

These all gifts wrapping alternatives are good, I really love the soap wrapping idea, Because soap wraps provide protection to our soap, We use soap in our daily life so it's necessary to protect it from harmful impacts.

suitcaseboxes said...

This blog is very informative about wrapping if you pack your wrapped gifts in product boxes then your wrapped product is looking more attractive.

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bluemoon said...

Great to read this colorful wrapping idea, let me add that the new way of creating Custom Packaging is through digital printing. Just a few years ago, the quality of digitally printed boxes wasn’t that great or cost-effective, but it was still a nice way to print Custom Packaging. However, technology has drastically evolved since then, making it super easy and affordable for anyone to create custom packaging!

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