Christmas WrappingsDon't buy new Christmas wrapping paper if at all possible. There are lots of things you can use instead; try to recycle and reuse instead.
Make Boxes from Christmas or Greeting...Make tiny gift boxes from Christmas or greeting cards.
Frugal Christmas Gift Wrap For GuysMany companies are now using crumpled plain brown paper instead of styrofoam peanuts when they ship merchandise. Instead of putting the brown paper in the recycling bin make Christmas gift wrap. Iron the wrinkles out of the paper, using the highest setting.
Reuse Tissue Paper and Gift BagsA few years ago my husband and I decided we were not wasting any more wrapping paper at Christmas time. It seems such a waste of money and natural resources to be throwing all that wrap out.
Easy Gift BagsTake a 9x12 sheet of felt and cut it in half longways with decorative scissors. Then fold in half short ways. Sew 1/4 inch seam with machine or by hand or glue side openings only, to close.
Christmas Ads for Wrapping PaperChristmas Ads for Wrapping Paper. I find myself saving nice Christmas art from advertisements and special newspaper sections and brochures, etc. - which I can cut out and use for wrapping paper!
Tins for GiftsI was just going through my Christmas storage area, getting out my tins that I purchase through out the year at sales. I have picked up many beautiful tins for under a dollar each that will hold baked cookies and treats for neighbors and friends.
Wrap and Stack Children's Gifts TogetherLike most grandparents we always go overboard on gifts and want the packages to be spectacular and mainly recognizable.
Making Curlicues from Shredded PaperTo make curlicues out of shredded paper for Christmas presents; you take regular shredded paper and wrap it around a knitting needle, or larger bamboo skewer.
Wrapping Paper for Sewing PatternsHere's my favorite tip for left over "Xmas Print" wrapping paper: I sew and like to alter or make my own patterns so, my favorite "Christmas Left Over Tip" is to use left over Christmas wrapping paper for making patterns with.
Recycling Christmas Gift BagsWe use "Christmas bags" for the majority of our gift wrapping. You can usually buy 2 of them for a dollar at most "dollar stores". But, that's cheap, because we re-use the same bags year after year.
Fabric Christmas Bags For Green Gift WrappingWrapping Christmas gifts is easy for me, I started using cloth bags. I sewed them from Christmas cloth purchased after Christmas a few years ago. I made several for all my gifts in different sizes and shapes, used draw string in top to close them.
Scanned Christmas Card Wrapping PaperWe receive so many wonderful Christmas cards, that I thought it would be fun for those who are a tiny bit computer savvy to make their own custom Christmas wrapping paper from them for your special gifts.
Reusable Christmas Gift TagsWhen I was a child, my mother would make special Christmas present name tags for me and my sisters. Using Christmas cards, we had received she would cut them out and decorate them using yarn, ribbon, lace, etc.
Store Christmas Bags Under the MattressStore your Christmas bags under the mattress. It is a free and simple solution to eliminate clutter.
Buy Solid Color Gift Wrap and Bags After ChristmasAfter Christmas, I buy all the red, green, gold and silver paper and bags I can find at a very cheap price, sometimes at 75 to 90% off. They can be used for occasions all throughout the year.
Cinnamon Sticks to Decorate PackagesI wrap up cinnamon sticks with plaid ribbon and use it on gifts along with the bows as an "extra" gift. I also use the cinnamon sticks as Christmas ornaments.
Decorate Plain Brown Paper for Gift WrappingFor a fun inexpensive way to wrap gifts that the whole family can enjoy, get creative instead of heading for the mall.
Use Miniature Decorations for PackagesI love to go to the dollar tree and browse the miniature decoration aisle during the holidays. These make fun and festive decorations to hang on gifts. A nice and inexpensive way to personalize a gift, I think.
Cookie Tins for Quick Gift WrapGot some cute cookie tins? Looking for a shortcut to some gift wrapping? I always seem to be running behind and find myself furiously cutting and taping wrapping on Christmas Eve!
Reuse Family Holiday Gift Box Year After YearA great holiday tip that became a tradition. Make a family box, box with separate lid, wrapped separate, for easy opening, fill with movies, games, new ornament, books, anything your family will share. It's great for video games.
Wrapping Gifts in Holiday TableclothsAt dollar stores or shopping after the holiday clearance sales, I try to get a couple of the decorated lightweight disposable tablecloths and store them in my box of gift-wrapping supplies.
Use Hair Scrunchies as Christmas BowsI am not using ribbon, paper, or any other kind of bows this year on my packages going to girls with long hair. I am going to buy those little fabric scrunchies and make a bow out of them. This way the bow is not just decorative, but useful.
Hide Gifts in Popcorn Ball OrnamentsFor a good, old-fashioned Christmas surprise, wrap some tiny gifts in wax paper and conceal them inside popcorn balls. Hang the balls from your Christmas tree.
Wrap Presents in Reusable TotesI've been collecting inexpensive cloth tote bags for gifts. I buy these tote bags at grocery stores and thrift shops. They cost $1 or $2. I put birthday and Christmas gifts inside the reusable tote, instead of a gift bag or wrapping paper.
Storing Christmas BowsBefore you even think about putting those lovely handmade bows away, save up old tissue paper or Christmas wrap to put inside each bow loop so it will hold it's shape and be ready for reuse next Christmas.
"Soft Wrap" Presents For A Green ChristmasMy family always has a chore of finding correct size boxes for Christmas gifts, and then having to break them down afterward for the recycle bins. This year, we have pledged to "soft wrap" every gift. There will be no more boxes, and no chore we all dislike.
Using Disposable Tablecloths to Wrap Large ItemsWhen wrapping larger Christmas gifts, instead of using a lot of wrapping paper and tape, buy a holiday tablecloth, and tie it at the top with ribbon. It works wonderfully!
Organizing Christmas and Holiday Wrappings and TagsWe crafters and Moms know that the months fly and we blink and another holiday is upon us. After Christmas gifts have been given, I separate tags, paper, ribbon, and other left-overs into a few categories.
Using Leftover Christmas PaperIf you are like me, you do not like to store left over wrapping paper, what a hassle. Instead of storing it I turn it over and use the back side for wrapping gifts, boxes to store magazines in, or organizing bins.
Using Photos as Christmas Gift TagsMy 4 year old granddaughter will be Santa's helper this year. She will wear a Santa hat and distribute all the gifts from under the tree.
Repurpose Food Boxes as Christmas PackagesI save old boxes to wrap in gift paper to make my wrapping experience as stress free as possible by having them ready now. Using colored duct tape to finish the edges also adds to the festive mood.
Take Chaos Out Of Christmas MorningAs you wrap each gift, take it out of the boxes and add any batteries if needed. Take everything out of packages that are hard to get out.
Assign Each Family Member a Wrapping...I love to buy wrapping paper at Costco. Their wrapping paper is super heavy and there is a ton of paper on each roll. The other neat part about their paper, is that it's double sided! This year I decided to wrap each person's presents with a specific wrapping paper.
Use Seasonal Oven Mitts for Christmas StockingsThere were such cute seasonally decorated oven mitts at the Dollar General. I decided to use one as a holder of a little gift or two. I added a candy cane filled with Starburst flavored jellybeans. It will be for an adult and I will put a little gift card to a local restaurant inside, wrapped in a little box.
Christmas Door Hanger as Gift DecorationI am delivering a present to someone who loves Diet Coke. I didn't want to wrap the gift, but wanted to add a keepsake. I put a pretty door decoration which has bells on the package. Once the drinks are gone, each time the door rings from the decoration, I will be remembered!
Saving Chip Bags for GiftsMy family eats chips a lot. I have found that some of their favorites are in bags with a gold or silver surface inside the bag. I save these and use when I want a special bag for small presents. Also sometimes I have a gift in an unusual shape or size. Gift bags are ideal but sometimes they are too small or the paper winds up tearing. My solution is $1 shopping bags at Dollar General or Dollar Tree. They hold more and are more durable.
Gift Tag DilemmaWe re-use our gift bags which is not unusual. But since we can't "re-use" the tag and using the sticky tags to put on a gift bag ruins the bag, I came up with this solution. I purchased from the dollar store some dry erase labels. Now I can leave the labels on the gift bag and erase them each time I use the gift bag.