DIY gift wrap

dorsetmiss_2

Or get a roll of that lining paper for wallpaper...loads on a roll and decorate it yourself...stamps, stickers, sponge it or whatever takes your fancy...dead cheap.....:D

full-time-mum

Annando wrote:

Could I suggest that you save money by wrapping presents in brown paper (much cheaper than wrapping paper) and string instead of the usual expensive stuff? The brown paper can be personalised with colours and drawings, or pine cones, holly and mistletoe can be attached to the string.

A compromise would be to use coloured curling ribbon instead - it looks absolutely fantastic against the brown paper.

For a rustic look, use raffia - would work well with the cones etc.

newlywed

i've used an old roll of wallpaper from the bargain bin in the DIY shop!!

LizD_2

Save up tissue paper from purchases and reuse for presents.

kscour

KittyKate wrote:

You can get, quite cheaply, dark purple parcel paper (brown one side, purple the other.) It's biodegradable and looks gorgeous with hand drawn messages, stars and children's signatures in chunky silver pen, or silver gummed stars.

Where do you get this from KittyKate? I've never seen it bu it sounds perfect

Annando

I never thought this idea would generate so many great ideas, your suggestions are fantastic! I think we should ask Martin to mention this in the newsletter so more people can go green.
I'm going to post this in thne green and ethical forum too.

Keep the ideas coming....

Chipps

We knew a fairly wealthy German family who said they always used newspaper for their family Christmas presents! They were very much into environmental issues. They used to make wonderful presents, too. I still have a hand painted silk scarf which one of the daughters made for me.

phizzimum

If you can get hold of foreign newspapers they make very classy wrapping paper, especially something exotic like chinese.

Our chinese takeaway used to give us a calender every year and I used to use that to wrap presents. don't think they'll give us one this year as we're not spending so much money with them! But maybe they'll have a load hanging around still in the spring and if I'm brave i can ask for them then...

kaznelson

You can pick up old ribbon/lace/fabric from jumble sales which looks pretty wrapped around the presents.

When I am lucky enough to receive a bunch of flowers a keep the ribbons and reuse them.

moggins

All my childrens school shirts got delivered wrapped in white tissue paper, I have saved every bit to use for christmas baskets. I've also saved all bubble wrap I've had for the last few months. Christmas will be cheap at this rate.