You don’t need fancy wrapping paper or expensive bows to make gifts look beautiful. In fact,
some of the most creative wrapping ideas are already sitting around your house.
Before heading to the store, take a few minutes to “shop your home.” You’ll save money, reduce waste, and give your gifts a charming, one-of-a-kind touch.
1. Old Maps: Road maps, travel atlases, and even outdated city maps make wonderful wrapping paper. The colors and lines add instant character, and they’re especially fun for someone who loves to travel or has a special connection to a location.
2. Newspapers and Comics: Newspapers are timeless for wrapping. Tie it up with string or raffia for a simple, old-fashioned finish.
3. Brown Paper Bags: Cut open a paper grocery bag, smooth it flat, and you’ve got sturdy, neutral wrapping
paper. You can stamp, draw, or write directly on it for a rustic, personalized look. Kids can even help decorate it.
4. Fabric and Scarves: Skip paper entirely and wrap your gifts in fabric. Scarves, handkerchiefs, or fabric remnants can be tied with a knot or ribbon.
5. Sheet Music or Old Book Pages: Perfect for music or literature lovers, pages from damaged books or sheet music can add a nostalgic touch. Layer with plain paper beneath if the sheets are thin, and finish with a ribbon or twine.
6. Calendar Pages: Those beautiful images from last year’s wall calendar are just the right size for small gifts. It’s a great way to reuse something you might otherwise toss, and each gift gets its own artwork.
7. Leftover Wallpaper or Drawer Liner: If you have scraps from
a home project, turn them into gorgeous wrapping. Wallpaper adds a durable, polished feel, and printed drawer liners often have delicate patterns perfect for feminine gifts.
8. Containers and Boxes: Think beyond paper. Pretty tins, baskets, and even clean take-out containers can become charming packaging. Line them
with tissue or shredded paper, and your wrapping is ready to go.
9. Jars and Mugs: Small gifts like candy, bath salts, or socks fit beautifully into jars or mugs. Add a tag with twine, and you’ve got both a gift and a keepsake container.
10. Personal Touches for Decoration: Top off any package with what you already have, like yarn, twine, lace, or ribbon remnants. Tuck in sprigs of pine, dried flowers, or a cinnamon stick for a natural, homey finish. Old greeting cards can be cut into tags for that final touch.
No Tissue Paper? No Problem!
If you’ve run out of tissue paper, there’s no need to make a store run. Try one of these easy substitutes:
Shredded paper from your shredder makes great filler for gift bags and boxes.
Fabric scraps add a soft pop of color and texture without the mess.
Magazine pages or old wrapping paper can be crumpled loosely for volume and visual interest.
Coffee filters or paper doilies add a delicate, layered look.
Paper napkins, especially decorative ones, make charming and tidy tissue alternatives.
With a little imagination, your gift-wrapping supplies are already within reach. You’ll be ready to wrap beautifully without spending a dime.
P.S. Need some help finding the perfect holiday gift for the guy who seems to have everything? My carefully curated list is packed with clever, useful, and good-looking finds that combine practicality with a touch of fun. Perfect
for husbands, dads, brothers, or friends! Visit:
