DIY Gift Wrap

Gift Wrap the Quail Bell(e) Way

By Jade Miller
QuailBellMagazine.com

Even if we weren’t in a recession and trying to save money, the big thing is being green--better yet, crafty! What’s better to go with all your handmade and local gifts than gift-wrap you make yourself? Quail Bell is here to give you a few ideas on how to wrap that one-of-a-kind gift in just as unique wrapping paper.

The easiest option is just plain old brown craft paper. My favorite way to gift wrap is to truss up the present in the craft paper and use old books from the used bookstore to cut out letters and spell out the recipient’s name onto the package. That way there’s no need for gift tags, and you look like you spent a huge effort when it was really just a few moments. It’s the small things that really make a present look like a million bucks.

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By Starling Root

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Another idea to do with craft paper, straight from Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special, is to cut seasonal images into potatoes and use them as starchy stamps! Super easy too with just red and green paint, and maybe even get a little fancy with some gold paint thrown in there, or even better, glitter. Quail Bell(e)s do adore that glitter so. You can also use the potato stamps to make simple holiday cards. Just buy some neutral cardstock, fold in half, and stamp the front.

For the person who likes to give gift cards, go online, find a pillow box template from pretty much anywhere, and then use old magazines or old books and glue the page you want onto a piece of cardstock (maybe the leftover paper from your potato cards earlier). Follow the instructions with the template, use a cute ribbon, and voila! Again, another gift that looks so much better with minimal effort. 

You can also use a wall paper sample to wrap your gift and make a huge initial gift tag from an old map! Classy and creative and so easy to do. Also, consider going onto Youtube and looking up how to wrap presents with a piece of fabric. This is especially easy when gifting wine or other bottles. Then, the person you’re giving the gift to won’t have more paper to throw out or another gift bag with no purpose. 

With a little bit of effort and thought for the person you’re giving a gift to, you can add some real pizzazz to a gift before they even get to the inside of it! The holiday season is all about the thought, and the person who receives a present from you will know how much they mean to you since it will show in all the love and work you put forth. 

Happy Holidays!