Wrapping Presents for Children

kippygolf

Throughout the year, if I purchase an item that comes in a nice box, I use the fronts of last years Xmas cards to stick on the sides. :rotfl:

Likewise, use last years cards, scraps of gift wrap, unwanted or broken decorations, odd buttons, etc., to cover logos on paper carrier bags. You can sometimes iron out any creases; warm iron, but no steam! I use pinking shears or scallop edged scissors to edge the cards before sticking on. Large plain bags can be jazzed up with kids hand prints or potato cuts. :j

With fancy edging scissors, you can also usually cut out gift tags from some of last year's card fronts. Hole punch one corner, and use scraps of ribbon from previous parcels to make the tie. :T

pelirocco

VT82 wrote: »

Last year I made 2 designs of Christmas wrapping quite simply in Microsoft Word, just by finding a suitable picture, shrinking it down to under an inch, and using it to tile an entire A3 sheet. I did one design of a scantily clad lady in a Santa costume for the guys, and one of a scantily clad hunk in a Santa costume for the girls.

I've got access to an A3 printer. I printed a few copies of each, both in colour and in black and white. Bam, 4 different designs of wrapping paper. Cost me next to nothing, took about an hour at the most, but felt extremely high quality, didn't need extra ribbons etc. and showed that some effort had gone into my wrapping for a change.

Nothing to stop someone doing more than two designs, and then just using one roll of shop-bought paper to wrap anything that can't be wrapped by a single A3 sheet (a minority of my presents anyway).

Is the printer not yours by any chance?

rachiibell

Wrapping attractive items (soaps, chocolates, ect) can look very effective just wrapped in clear cellophane tied up with a ribbon. I often make hampers of lots of little things wrapped up in this way. This year i'm giving my mum a pampering hamper which contains a book, some chocolate, some bath things and a mini bottle of wine which will all be wrapped up in an "on display" way. Doesn't work as well for kids though!

DigForVictory

I get cellophane from Interflora florists who are *required* to have certain cellos on hand. After 3 months, they're redundant & often yours for the asking.

I also "cheat" with supermarket Bags For Life. For 10 pence I can fool some relatives some of the time that I shop at Waitrose... That said, Morrisons & Sainburys have had "seasonal" Bags for Life that cost less & are as much if not more fun visually.

VT82

pelirocco wrote: »

Is the printer not yours by any chance?

Correct. I hate printers.

To use the work one, for A3 size costs me 9p per colour copy and 1p per black and white copy. Cheaper than Paperchase, if not Poundland.

mary_poster

I realise this is not an alternative only a cheaper option, but we go into the supermarket between xmas and new year and buy the paper on reduced.

Last year, we bought about 20 rolls of gift wrap from Asda that were reduced from £1.50 a roll to 25p

Money_maker

ellie-g wrote: »

I have found a use for those irritating ribbons that always pop out from the neckline of clothes. I dont use them for hanging the clothes instead I simply cut them off and use for present decoration. Cost = free!

I cut them all out too! They're good for hanging homemade Christmas tree decorations, putting in hair, using in place of real ribbon etc. Waste not want not.

MooSah_2

If you are going for the newspaper idea - then there are lots of free newspapers (Metro etc). But best thing to do is go to your local library and grab a few of the old newspapers - for free! (Especially Sunday broadsheets) - staff usually will give them to you if you ask nicely

lovemystudentloan

I got my daughter some pet in my pocket toys at a car boot sale, quite a lot of little bits, so I've got a large box with a lid that was in the loft a friend gave me ages ago for moving, bought red shiny paper at the pound shop, large bottle of craft glue and red glitter at the pound shop, stuck the paper on the box lid and covered the top with glitter. I've wrapped all the little bits up in tissue paper that I've saved from last years crackers (party hats) and I've still got loads of paper, glue and glitter to decorate old boxes or plain paper to wrap. I reckon that's alright for £3.

I use the top ribbons too!

gloriouslyhappy

I use fabric bought cheaply at a market stall, usually £1 per metre, for wrapping presents in. It's great for awkward shapes and can be gathered at the top or safety-pinned in place, and tied with ribbon, scraps of lace etc.

For a bonus, I include a template of a mask, hat or cloak, depending on the size of child / present and after the presents are opened, they can make their fancy dress item using the ribbons and fabric. Always a big hit with the children, and the grownups usually get into it too.