Save On Christmas Wrapping Paper

With just over two weeks to go before Christmas Day chances are you have at least started buying some presents for friends and family.  But have you got your wrapping paper yet?
  
This is often an unseen cost of Christmas and it all goes in the bin on the day itself.  What a waste – of paper and money.

Why not save what you’d spend on the wrapping paper and put that towards the presents themselves?  You still need to wrap the presents, well most people want to, so here are a few ideas to make your own wrapping paper.

Recycle Old Envelopes

The large plain envelopes you get mailings in are great for smaller presents.  Just trim them off and use some colored pens to make any kind of pattern you want on them.  This is great for kids who love creating their own Christmas patterns and pictures. (Remember to take off any address labels or obliterate them with a thick marker pen)

Plain Brown Paper

You can make larger wrapping paper by buying a roll of brown paper from a hardware or stationary store.  Again, use large marker pens for your patterns or perhaps make some printing blocks in Christmas shapes – remember potato printing from school?

Paper Bags

Many presents and goods come in either plain or sometimes quite colorful paper bags.  Carefully take the bag apart, trim it and you have more wrapping paper that is unique to you.

Don’t be afraid that your wrapping paper won’t look as bright and shiny as some of the shop bought varieties.  It will have the personal touch and that’s what people appreciate most of all at Christmas.

Spend a little time to save a lot of money!