When the shopping is done, the tree is decorated and the festive season is in full swing, the only thing left to do is wrap the presents.
But wrapping doesn’t have to mean buying the most expensive wrapping paper you can, or the cheapest, and in these days when we are all looking to save money and the environment, wrapping presents creatively might just be the way to go.
Wrapping a kitchen-themed gift – for the cook in family could be as easy as buying a nice new tea towel and ribbon or even an apron. A cook book from their favourite chef wrapped in a tea towel or apron – tied up with ribbon gives you two gifts in one. A piece of gingham from the craft shop is also an alternative to wrapping paper – particularly for the crafty member of the family who could repurpose it as a tablecloth.
For the music lover in the house, why not try photocopying or buying old sheet music – photocopying allows for the music to be used again and again and to be blown up if needed. This could be the perfect wrapping paper for a CD, music gift card or DVD. Carol music could also be used – trimmed with ribbons or bells.
For the fashion lover, a shirt and brooch from the local op-shop could be repurposed to wrap and decorate a more expensive gift of clothing, fashion books, perfume or make-up.
And with colouring in books all the rage, why use completed pages to wrap smaller item.
Pretty pillow slips and old pieces of left over lace or buttons could also make suitable wrapping paper alternatives as could cheap calico bags – decorated anyway you like and then reused for the shopping after Christmas.
Brown paper is another alternative – those with young children could make good old-fashion potato stamps (cutting out a star or a Christmas tree from a potato) and have a day of letting the children stamp their own wrapping paper for teachers or friends. Henna stamps and other more professional stamps can also be picked up from craft stores.
Old maps from a favourite holiday, that are cluttering up drawers would also make unusual wrapping paper, particularly for those members of the family that love to travel.
Decorations for your nicely wrapped presents could be anything from shells and raffia, to bells, buttons, ribbons, pine cones and foliage.
Making store-bought gifts look beautiful and original under the tree doesn’t have to cost the earth.
