It is easy and inexpensive to create your own designer flare without spending a lot of money. Rather than purchasing rolls of holiday-themed gift wrap, simply buy brown packing paper or white butcher’s paper. You can use these without embellishing them to create a sleek and sophisticated theme under your tree, or you can decorate them using several different techniques.
- Stamping - Stamping is a great way to decorate plain brown or white paper. (It is also a wonderful craft project for children as well.) You can purchase stamps at the local craft store and simply choose the motif and colors that appeal to you. It is best to stamp the paper after you have wrapped the gift. This will enable you to select the optimal placement that you desire.
- Stenciling - The same technique used in stamping can apply with a simple stencil. Be creative, you can do as much or as little as you like. Often, one simple stencil placed at the top of the package makes an elegant presentation.
- Fruit Stamping - Seasonal fruits such as apples and pears make beautiful stamps. Simply cut the fruit in half and you have an instant, low cost stamp.
Make Inexpensive Designer Ribbons and Bows
Purchasing inexpensive curling ribbons and stick on bows does not always save money in the long run. If you make the investment in grosgrain ribbon and/or wired ribbon, you can reuse them from year to year. These items are often on sale throughout the year at local craft stores, sometimes for as little as one dollar per spool!
In order to maximize what you find on sale, think outside of “traditional” holiday colors. For example, an off white or pink ribbon is a lovely compliment to plain brown paper. If you create a color theme for your wrapping you can also save money because you will have just a few colors that you are working with. These colors can be easily interchanged.
There are several techniques for using these luxurious ribbons that will make them look as though they came from the pages of a magazine:
- Simple bow - Tying a simple bow around the package offers a subtle elegance. You can do this with flat ribbon, such as grosgrain or wired ribbon. If you desire a little more flare, embellishing with a hand crafted gift tag or a natural trim adds a special touch.
- Floral bows - These beautiful bows may seem intimidating but are actually quite easy to make. There are many websites that offer pictorials and step-by-step instructions. Using wired ribbon allows the loops to “stand” a bit better, but you can use a flat ribbon as well. Generally a wider ribbon creates a better affect.
Christin Aitchison - Christin is a freelance writer who has targeted the children's market for the past five years. Her publishing credits include Highlights ...
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