Frugal creative gift wrap

[cercis]

I know about newspaper, butcher paper, etc. I save all gift bags and even the tissue paper for reuse, but lately we've been finding incredible gifts for incredible prices but they are waaaay over sized. As in, no newspaper is going to cover these gifts unless you do some major patching.

So here are some ideas I've had:
1) a printed/character pillow case. I've seen these for 50cents or less and they can be used by the recipient.
2) sheet set. these would be more expensive, but I've seen them for less than $5 which is less than a roll of wrapping paper.
3) beach towels. I've seen these for as little as 4/$1, but not often. DH is under strict orders to keep his eye open when he's shopping (he likes to shop more than I do).

These gift wrap ideas would add to the present as they would be useful later. And most gifts we buy are so deeply discounted this works out very well.

[cicy33]

I do the reuse of bags and tissue paper (did it last night!) but have never considered the towel thing. great idea!

[stone]

Great Ideas across the board. I especially like the pillow case. Can never have too many extras for when guests come around.

[Fern]

You can also use maps, which are very interesting. I used to save the free maps that would come with National Geographic Magazine for this purpose.

[zendus]

I LOVE THE MAP IDEA!!!

Thanks for posting!!

[akaivyleaf]

Butcher Block paper and let the little ones get creative with crayon, marker etc.

Left over Wall paper or paper you can pick up from garage sales

Newspaper- especially the comic section, or a captivating headline

fabric scraps.. not the word I was looking for, remainder fabric after you've cut out the pattern the fabric you haven't used you can decopauge the gift box, makes a lovely presentation

[cercis]

Oooh, I like the map idea. I'll have to keep an eye out for maps and find out if MIL is still getting her Nat'l Geographic subscription (mine expired and it's sooo expensive, it's a great mag, but ...).

[Fern]

Yeah, what's nice is you can match the map with a favorite vacation spot of the recipient, or where they honeymooned, were born or any other place that has special signficiance for them.

[Petal]

See if you can get leftovers rolls of newsprint paper from your local newspaper. I have a couple of rolls. Then find your kiddos leftover crayon pieces. Shave slivers off the crayons onto the paper, making patterns out of different colors or whatever and then fold the paper back on itself, sandwiching the crayon shavings inbetween. For safety's sake use another layer of paper under and over your "sandwich" and then iron with an iron hot enough to melt the shavings. Makes great designs and is wonderful to wrap kid's presents as well as gifts for adults. Make sure you have enough paper under and over your sandwich to protect your iron and working surface from the melting wax.

[mom-from-missouri]

I use a receiving blanket or cloth diaper to wrap a baby present, and a dish towel (from the $1 store) to wrap wedding shower gifts.