DIY on a budget: How To Wrap In A Pinch And Save A Penny

If you are like me, there have been numerous times that you buy a gift for a special occasion like a birthday but you forgot one important item…the gift wrap.  I know that most kids and adults will probably not cross you off their invite list for showing up with a gift in the bag from the store it came from.  But let’s face it, a nicely wrap gift always looks like you care more if it’s presented well.

I challenged myself for this article to find things around my house that work well for gift wrap the next time I needed to give something to someone.  My first gift that I needed wrapping for was a child’s birthday.  It’s amazing what you can find once you set your mind on thinking outside the box.  Here is what I ended up using:

•    Gift Bag-  The gift bag was from when I purchased some makeup at a local store.

•    Tissue Paper- The tissue paper was left over from a previous gift.

•    Ribbon- The ribbon was from a previous gift that was given to me.

•    Stamp Design- The stamp design was done by using a scrapbook stamp that I already had in my stash.

•    Name Tag- The name tag was used by cutting pieces of an old card apart and using scrapbook scissors to embellish the edges.

The next item that I used things around the house for was a little treat of tootsie rolls that I gave a friend.  I could have just handed him the bag but it looks better to make the gift look like you put some effort into it.  Here is what I used for this gift besides the tootsie rolls that I gave him:

•    Cup- The cup was leftover from a party.

•    Cellophane-  The cellophane was from the wrapping on the outside of a  cookie tray that I got at Christmas.

•    Ribbon- The ribbon was from an old gift bag that was torn.

•    Name Tag- The name tag was from an old card.

As you can see, you can find lots of things around your house that can help you out in a pinch and save little change in your pocket.  Challenge yourself….you never know what you can repurpose!

CARLEIGH CARMICHAEL About the author: Carleigh Carmichael is a local writer who’s philosophy is “Why buy it for more when you can make it for less?”.