Alternative wrapping paper for free that I can recycle after

ANNIEHAHA

Hi ,just wondered what you use as an alternative to xmas wrapping paper ,(for free!) as this is something I would like to do without taking the fun out of tearing the paper off.
Also I would like to recycle it after and for it to look semi ok under the tree
Much appreciate your knowledge

redballoon_2

newspaper?

ixwood

I've been known to use newspaper. It looks surprisingly not bad actually. Nobody seemed to mind.

Rip it off and compost ot recycle it.

Taffyscot

cartoon magazines bright and cheerful get from charity shops. I use bright xmas cloth sewn into bags with a drawstring. I also put crepe paper in the top brightly coloured so they get to smash the crepe paper around but I just put the crumpled crepe paper back in the bags for next year. Sacks just like santas and you dont have to spend hours wrapping them

miss_phish

Hehe, i too have used newspaper - many times.

I'd pick a sheet that had a great pic on it - like someones face and then draw a 'speech bubble' in a thick marker pen saying something like "Happy Birthday Mum". I think it looks ok under the tree, and kids can colour in or glue glitter on to personal it even more.

Also I unwrap pressies carefully and reuse paper all the time!

bigpaws23

I use my daughter's artwork. I bought a ream of A3 paper for about 99p in a closing down sale and use that.

Anything bigger gets the newspaper treatment.

but recently I've learned how to make origami giftbags (like the ones that cost about £4 each from M&S) so I'm feeling very smug and people will be getting those for smaller gifts this year.........

Seakay

If you've had to do any self packing of items in Ikea then you will have some free brown paper to reuse :
disguise as a posted parcel tied up with string, and address label and artisic stamp
Print or paint patterns onto the paper (or get the kids to)
Use the paper plain but use bright ribbon to tie the parcel
I have also used rafia or 'paper ribbon' to tie and decorated the parcel with paper/silk/dried flowers

angelavdavis

I have used leftover fabrics, squares cut with pinking shears and tied with scraps of pretty ribbon. Nice if you layer a sheer lace style fabric over a plain fabric for a females wrapper paper, or denim for a guy.

I have also made draw-string bags from fabric scraps for wrapping items in, and even stuck on beads/glitter and used fabric pens to decorate or add to information.

Worth looking on freecycle or in charity shops to pick up old beaded necklaces or fabric samples/leftovers.

I have also seen potato printed lining paper used for wrapping presents - with raffia (sp?) tying the parcels - really effective!

These can then either be reused or rags can be composted.

SueMaggie

I keep the pictures from old calendars and use that to wrap presents - only works for smallish gifts though.

When hubby and I go on holiday we usually buy a calendar of the place for the following year so it not only brings back memories of a lovely holiday all through the following year, when the year is over and I've wrapped presents in the pictures it reminds you all over again.

dianadors

I have used newspaper too - it looks great with red ribbons. Also, a few of my friends and I recycle the same "gift bag" year after year. My best friend and I have had the same one going between us now for 8 years!! I have also used end of rolls of wallpaper for birthday presents.

nzmegs

I use gift bags over and over. I print off loads of stars on the computer cut them out and use as labels tied with string. I won't let anyone throw away the gift bags at xmas. i carefully hoard them away and reuse. There is a small out lay to buy them (try the pound shop) but it saves in the long run and if you get the plainer generic ones you can use them for birthdays too!