View Full Version : Christmas gift wrapping material
I've been doing this for about 15 years now. Imagine all the paper that was saved! I do it for my DH and kids. I just use a little scotch tape and I bought a bunch of reusable cloth ribbons to keep things closed.
Initially, I bought all different kinds of christmas-themed material and cut them to various sizes......from small to large. It has worked really well. I do it for birthday presents too. Here's a small sample.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/Catherine50/christmas%20wrapping%20materials.jpg
good on you, Cathy! I've considered this many times, and may do it as soon as I finish off the stash of Christmas paper I've been working on for 3-4 years.
rodeosweetheart
1-5-16, 12:28pm
I used to do this years ago, and loved it.
I also use tea towels to wrap gifts and then the recipient gets the wrapping as a second gift.
iris lilies
1-5-16, 12:44pm
ah! That is so nice! love all the ideas.
I am freakishly drawn to textiles. There are sellers of old silk saris in India who sell ten bundles of silk sari material for $7.99. I have been trying to think of a reason to buy them. Cathy, Cathy, Cathy--now you have given me good reason to bring more stuff into my home, I am blaming it on you. HAHA As it is, I buy whole saris for $15 - $25. They are fabulous. They practically make me faint with joy. :)
I'm loving this too. Since I'm lazy as all get-out about wrapping gifts, maybe I will make myself some cloth gift bags. Lots of sales on Christmas fabric out there! I could see cloth gift bags for birthdays too, a little value-adding to the present.
Just a side note, my MIL mailed gifts this year wrapped in old calendar pages. They're sturdy enough to make it through the post, and so pretty!
Chicken lady
1-5-16, 1:05pm
I sewed my Christmas fabric (99 cents a yard after Christmas) into bags of different sizes and just tie on a ribbon. A little more work to make, but oh so easy to wrap! This year we introduced the fiancé to the process of unwrapping your gift, folding the bag (optional) and dropping the wrapping in the giant Santa tin. (you put the lid on, stick it in the attic, and the bags magically go back to Santa over the summer.)
Now I want saris. I kind of want to wear them, because I think they look beautiful on women of all shapes and sizes, but I am a white (as far as i know and culturally) chick with dark eyes and hair who tans heavily and I don't want people to think I'm trying to pretend to be Indian. It seems rude.
rodeosweetheart
1-5-16, 1:11pm
I wish I had a source of Saris that cheap, IL! I just found a source for someone who made them into sachet bags and bought a ton of them at 1.50 per bag and filled with potpourri and added them to my closet and drawers and stored textiles in bins.
Fellow textile lover here.
Great idea!!! I've been a longtime fan of cloth gift bags (some of ours are decades old). I sewed mine into bags with ribbon draw strings at the top. Everyone is on the honor system not to peek, and it doesn't really matter because they are getting the gift anyway.....
We also use all kinds of paper to make paper gift bags using the method at this link: http://craftyjournal.com/make-your-own-gift-bags/ I use any kind of waste paper/junk mail and make handmade paper to use for gift tags, cards, gift bags..... I save any paper packing material sent in packages and use it for gift wrap and dress it with jute string for a "country" look. A cousin's wife works at the local newspaper and she'll bring me the roll ends of newsprint.
I had a friend ask me if I could use a stack of paper shopping bags (she's a shopaholic) and I'm delighted to take them off her hands. I'll use a glue stick and glue used gift wrap, hand-made paper, even Christmas fabric over the store name.
Another thing I do is to take small boxes, like a box tea bags comes in, and I'll take them apart, cover with paper or fabric and use them as gift boxes. You can also use these boxes as a template to make more.
Coming up with fun "alternative" gift wrap is all a huge part of our gift-giving. We make a big deal out of it....:)
rodeosweetheart
1-5-16, 1:16pm
My sil used to make paper out of dryer lint, and you could liquify the junk mail.
It was pretty.
Paper making is fascinating.
Great idea, Cathy!
Mine isn't as environmentally-friendly, but I've been using old maps that have been kicking around unused since mapping software has become standard. I love maps in general for their form and function, and they make nice wrapping paper. I have a couple of old atlases that I've been using for this purpose.
My sil used to make paper out of dryer lint, and you could liquify the junk mail.
It was pretty.
Paper making is fascinating.
I didn't know about making paper from dryer lint, but then, I don't use the dryer so no source for lint. :idea: I bet the neighbor (who does laundry CONSTANTLY) could be a huge supplier....
I do that too. My christmas ones are all a textured navy blue velvety material. Looks great with silver or gold ribbon. Birthday and other I use a gold or silver fabric.
I wish I had a source of Saris that cheap, IL! I just found a source for someone who made them into sachet bags and bought a ton of them at 1.50 per bag and filled with potpourri and added them to my closet and drawers and stored textiles in bins.
Fellow textile lover here.
they are all over Ebay.
My sil used to make paper out of dryer lint, and you could liquify the junk mail.
It was pretty.
Paper making is fascinating.
yes paper--one step removed form textile so it also fascinates me.
I have the same fascination, and the stash to prove it. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to make quilts out of all of it (especially since I like miniatures and wall quilts), so I'll have to find an outlet one of these days.
My SO used to wrap my presents in quilt fabric. Now I just get a card...:~)
When garage saling... I check out the bags (cloth and otherwise) that people are getting rid of. Many times I am asked if the bag is part of the present! The varieties are endless.
are these actually bags or just the fabric? Great idea
our gift wrap is generally clever chosen bits out of flyers and magazines. Good for a laugh and pretty darn cheap.
this type of thing.
http://mindbabblingworld.blogspot.ca/2013/12/diy-gift-wrap-using-magazine-page.html
are these actually bags or just the fabric? Great idea
All kinds of bags... some for grocery shopping, have given professional work "bags" loaded with work related items, purse type bags etc. Usually try to find a bag with a theme or a bag that I know the person will love. It truly is surprising what you can come up with when you look. It always amazes me! For example, I found a leather travel bag for $1 and looked on line and it sold for $150!!!! Not a scratch on it..... shocking really.
iris lilies
1-6-16, 4:59pm
Re bags as gifts: That's interesting to me because I loathe any bags, I am sick and tired of getting bags. Please god no more bags.
I dread attending conferences because invariably there is a bag stuffed with crap shoved at me. I wish they'd give us a "no bag" option and take off $2 of my registration fee.
Wow......lots of discussion! Sorry I was a bit MIA. I hadn't thought of making bags (out of material) and then just tieing one end! That would save on the scotch tape.
Hmmmm.....maybe I should consider making paper with all my junk mail/paper. I'm just overwhelmed lately with how much stuff is out there to buy and throw away. Anyhow......I feel good about using the material and cloth ribbons every year.
Re bags as gifts: That's interesting to me because I loathe any bags, I am sick and tired of getting bags. Please god no more bags.
I dread attending conferences because invariably there is a bag stuffed with crap shoved at me. I wish they'd give us a "no bag" option and take off $2 of my registration fee.
You are getting "junk" bags. That is not what we are referring to...
Make it a game and use saran wrap...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wgdt_ykRzc
If one were dedicated they could probably reuse the saran wrap several years.
that Saran Wrap game looks great.
rodeosweetheart
1-8-16, 1:35pm
Re unwanted gift bags-- when I used these with my kids, I just refolded the bag and put away for the next year. Nobody got stuck with a bag.
Hm, now that I have grandchildren, maybe I should revisit the permaenent gift bag; they could just send it back.
This reminds me of the IKEA Christmas tree thing when I worked there--for 20 dollars you got a Christmas tree and a 20 dollar IKEA gift certificate, and if you brought your tree back, we ground it up into mulch. Best deal ever.
Have been reading this thread with interest. I've always loved wrapping papers. At one time I had a lovely collection. Of course, I didn't move it from one state to another. Or the next move. Or the next one. By that last one, I learned they were not recyclable. Ouch!
I thought about making some reusable gift bags and I just don't gift enough to make it worthwhile. So, I kicked it old school: IF I feel I need to wrap, I use old comics or brown paper. And I got a bow-maker. I save bits and bobs to add things to the bows. It's fun, unique and those are both reusable or repurposeful.
You can use wrapping paper for collage, Paper beads in all different shapes, and a variety of non-wrapping uses (I particularly like paper beads). Pinterest has infinite ideas for inspiration.
I had a friend post a photo on facebook of a piece of very old gift wrap paper very early 60's. His mom has given him a gift in that same paper every year since the year he was born. He's 50. Now that is recycling.
rodeosweetheart
1-8-16, 3:24pm
That is very cool, Float on.
And Jane, I had not thought of paper beads--also so cool.
So tempting to make a project from this or upcycle from that BUT...
At a certain point one must choose what they wish to spend time on, do they think it's useful, is it beautiful, are they willing to maintain it.
I keep thinking about doing this, but so far haven't gotten off of the thinking stage. I'll put a note on my calendar for October 1 to start. thanks for the reminder!
happystuff
1-19-16, 5:45pm
I made cloth bags about 5 years ago and it has worked out well. I've since added plain various sizes of holiday cloth material to the stash. It's not a lot, but enough for the immediate family to use... and re-use year after year. Stores in a clear plastic bag and goes right inside the top Christmas crate.
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