Holly Morris: Tips for Wrapping Presents

WASHINGTON - Christmas is only days away and now is the time people are wrapping presents. Holly shows you some great tips on wrapping from The Container Store and the best way to wrap on the cheap.

Here are 10 helpful hints to wrap your holiday gifts frugally and creatively by Sandy Sandler, founder of non-profit Crafters 4 Kids , who says, "You would be surprised the items that make incredible gift wrap. Even an ice cream container can be creatively used when wrapping this season's gifts."

1. Use scraps of fabric to wrap presents: You can even get adventurous and apply puffy fabric paint to give the gift wrap a three dimensional look.

2. Use brown paper bags: Cut them to the size you need as wrapping paper and then decorate the paper your self. First wrap the gift and then decorate. This is a great way to decorate grandparents' gifts. Have your children place their hands in washable paint and decorate the package with their hand prints.

* Helpful Hint * Instead of wrapping paper, recycle brown paper bags, when you wrap the present use double stick tape and work the extra seams into the pattern.

3. Decorate an ice cream container: It is so simple and so beautiful the recipient will want to save the package to keep things in. Be sure to use an emptied and cleaned container. Select a color pattern to match your motif.

4. Create art from scraps: Don't have enough of one wrapping paper to wrap an entire present? Make a mosaic of wrapping paper. Embellish the seams of the wrapping paper with ribbon, beads, or colored duct tape.

5. Instead of buying pre-made bows make your own: Use a bow making tool, such as the Bowdabra, to make beautiful, easy, and affordable bows. For an additional frugal element, you can even repurpose scraps of different ribbon to create a unique bow.

6. Make your own gift tags from last year's Christmas cards: Embellish the gift tags with buttons, candy, scraps of ribbon, or glitter.

7. Use an apron as a unique way to wrap a hostess gift. This idea is especially creative when giving cookware or food items.

8. Wrap presents in children's artwork: This is great gift wrapping option for children and young adults and is a gift in itself for those receiving the presents. Plus your children will be extremely proud you are using their artwork as gift wrap.

9. Instead of a traditional gift bag, purchase a canvas shopping bag: They are often less expensive than a gift bag and it can be reused. Go to C4k555.org for great ideas on how to decorate them

10. Alternatives to tape: Instead of using expensive clear tape and double sided tape, try using a glue stick or glue dots

LINKS:

• The Container Store
• Crafter's 4 Kids (C4K)
• Bowdabra and Crafting for Kids