REUSE MYLAR BALLOONS
You can reuse a mylar balloon that has gone flat by cutting off the top, inserting
your gift, gathering and tying with a ribbon at the top. Remember, this is a choking
hazard for small children, so only use this idea for grown ups.
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NIX THE GIFT WRAP
Contributed by Joy Marie Dunlap of CA
I always hated the cost of gift wrap, especially since it only gets thrown away.
Through the years I have invested in nesting boxes, gift bags, and
Christmas tins. I choose carefully so that they are color coordinated, and only buy
what I really like. These add up in time. I love these because I don't have to hunt for
wrapping paper. It is so easy to put things in a box or tin, and add tape to the tins,
and a good tight bow to the boxes. I find this much easier than wrapping paper. It is so quick- no more staying up late on Christmas Eve! It is something you can pass down to the next generation.
Be sure to get (or make) your gift bags, tins, and boxes in different sizes, as every present is different, and this gives the most possibilities. Also, nesting bags and boxes are best because they take less room for storage.
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CHOCOLATE BOX
Cut a cardboard milk carton of any size in half. Wash and dry it thoroughly. Reenforce outsides with masking tape. When ready, spray inside of box lightly with non-stick cooking spray, or lightly butter.
Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave. Pour into box, and spread with the back of a spoon or a clean baster, covering all sides and corners with the melted chocolate. Allow to cool. When cool and hardened, carefully cut away tape and peel off cardboard to leave a chocolate box. Fill with SweetTarts, Gummy Bears, etc., wrap entire thing with plastic wrap and tie with a pretty ribbon. Keep in a cool place and give away quickly.
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PRETTY JARS
Any jar you have around the house can serve as a beautiful package for homemade bath salts or cocoa mix, or candies, or whatever your imagination desires.
Start with a screw-top jar of any size. Remove label, wash and dry completely. Pull on a few cotton balls to make them "puffier", and glue to the lid of the jar. Cut a circle out of a fabric scrap or piece of felt, using pinking shears (zig-zag scissors). Run a line of glue around the outside of the lid. Place the fabric circle on top, over the cotton, and press around the lid, overlapping a little here and there to look pretty. Secure with a rubber band until dry.
Fill the jar with your gift, and screw on the top. When dry, remove the rubber band and glue a ribbon around the lid, tied with a bow in the front. Glue on a pretty label, and you're all set!
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WRINKLED WRAPPING PAPER
If you have have pretty wrapping paper that has gotten too wrinkled to use, run it through a paper shredder, and use it for padding in gift bags and baskets.
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PERSONALIZED PAPER
Personalize plain craft paper (or use the insides of paper grocery sacks) by having your children draw holiday pictures all over it, or by painting, or putting on handprints or footprints. Toddlers can step into a shallow pan of paint, then walk all over the paper.
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SENDING COOKIES
Pack homemade cookies for mailing in plain, air-popped popcorn (the edible kind, not Styrofoam!), inside a well-sealed plastic bag within the box. Put the bag inside the box, then a layer of popcorn, a layer of cookies, a layer of popcorn, etc. Seal the bag well, then tape the box closed over it. This keeps them fresh and unbroken.
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FOR THE HOMEMAKER
If you are giving the gift of a book about homemaking or any kind of kitchen do-dads, you can wrap the gift in a pretty new dishtowel, tied with a ribbon.
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MUSIC
Wrap music CDs, music books, or instruments in old sheet music. Search thrift stores and used book stores for old hymnals and use the pages to wrap presents. Or you can copy the music of a favorite song onto staff paper, and wrap away.
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LOOKS LIKE A BIG CANDY
Stuff small presents (little toys, candies, scarves, ties, etc.) into a cardboard toilet paper roll, or use a paper towel roll cut into thirds or quarters. Cover with wrapping paper, twisting on the ends. Secure with tape. Use scissors to fringe the ends, so the package looks like a big piece of candy.
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GIVING HOMEMADE FUDGE
Want to mail a batch of your famous Christmas fudge to your brother in another state? Pour it into one of those disposable/reusable containers or an old margarine tub. You may have to let it cool a little first. Don't want to pour it into plastic while it is too hot. When completely cooled and hardened, slip in a plastic knife and tape the recipe on the lid. If mailing, secure lid with a rubber band and some tape before putting in the box to mail.
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TAKING GIFTS ON AIRPLANE TRIPS
If you are taking gifts by airplane, do not wrap the gifts until you reach your destination, even if you are checking the item. Wrapped items will be searched, destroying your pretty paper.
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MAKE YOUR OWN GIFT BAGS
Carefully unfold a paper bag. Lay unfolded bag out on the wrong side of pretty paper, and trace. Cut out, fold and glue, using the bag as a pattern. You may wish to double your paper to make it stronger. Staple on ribbon handles and put small pieces of clear tape over the staples. This is a good way to recycle pretty wrapping paper. Paper that was used on a large gift can make several small gift bags.
