Sometimes I think I have too much in common with Martha. For the past month I have been giving my xmas wrapping paper alot of thought. I think this year I will do the red and white theme. It always looks so good in magazines.
I thought I could use old coffee cans as gift boxes and then wrap them like a big candy. Will do other stuff too I just need to figure it out.
Anybody else out there a wrapping lover?
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I think over the years I have been through all the stages of gift wrapping for Christmas. LOL.
From the years we had no money for many gifts to the years of the ornate and themed, expensive wrapping.
Potato stamping on plain paper with the kids.
Painted all shapes of macaroni glued on plain paper with the kids.
The kids doing the wrapping with bought paper.
One year using the coloured comic sections and raffia.
Me doing the wrapping with the expensive, ornate ideas, alway with a theme.
Now.... store bags stuffed with tissue and sprinkes of glitter... all from the dollar store.
I still enjoy Christmas........ :) I enjoy the giving and choosing what I think they would like. I could care less about receiving. I mean what do I need ?
Oh a gift certificate to a restaurant or Sears, Canadian Tire is always useful.
Relax, enjoy, and only do what you can comfortably handle.
Great minds think alike! I was just thinking "surely I could just come up with some kind of attractive stamp????"
I think it would look so pretty with twine and evergreen!!!! I would have appreciated the effort, Indigo!!!
Lore
I went all out on wrapping gifts for Christmas one year...and that was the last time. I bought that natural bumpy shorn looking paper for wrapping, twine instead of ribbon and bunches and bunches of evergreen snippings (that I picked myself ofcoarse:)) to use instead of bows. I attached little candy canes as well. They looked really pretty and I was so excited about giving the gifts. Nobody really gave a rats petuti..hehe..they just tore in. It took so much time to get all the gifts wrapped and I was really disappointed that no one cared at all. So now I only save special wrappings for birthdays or special occasions involving ONE gift!lol I really enjoy doing it but not 30 at a time going unnoticed!
and bear in mind this is coming from a non-crafty person so try at your own risk lol
how about making your very own unique wrapping paper - either using stamps (craft stores, or can even make simple patterns with a sponge or even a potato lol) or stencils - pick a symbol, shape, etc and one or more colours and enhance the look of the kraft paper - can also add some freehand lines with a brush or felt-tip marker, if it works with the shapes
I'd be tempted to wrap the items then stamp them so the designs end up in interesting places....
Lots of good ideas.
I have also used those big rolls of white paper used for kids drawing boards..??
Dollar stores are incredible now with all they stock as far as gift bags, boxes, ribbon, raffia etc.
It doesn't have to be expensive to make a gift look beautiful.
I'm a big fan of Kraft paper too!
I hate the wrapping and always leave it until I got home on Christmas eve to wrap. I would get in at 11pm and set out wrapping then. Witha house full of boys they never even noticed how things were wrapped it was just rip and it was open. My friend does hers color coded all one house would get one color and so on so when it was time to give them out she knew which went to which house. She would spend many$$$$ and time on the wrapping.
ladies...you are too just like Martha Stewart, i thought all that beautiful wrapping just happened on tv....now my prezzies under the tree are just going to be awful lol actually i do like wrapping but i buy the big value packs with all the different things going on....i wouldnt want to ruin the wrapping of the hard lovely work that you all do....we will all have to post a pic of our trees when the wrapping is done
smiles
janetc
About 10 years ago I tossed all my assorted wraps and went to Kraft paper. It has been a huge time saver. I keep different colours of raffia, lots of different ribbons and bows and then I cutomize the gift. I also keep different colours of paper so that I can layer a strip of an alternative colour on top of the kraft paper. I use black on a gift for a man and then tie it with raffia and tie in a little bit of gold ribbon or on a baby gift I would use a strip of pale blue or a soft green and then tie the package with raffia.
I have no talent, but my gifts always receive compliments.
Wow! Thanks for your quick response! I think I will check out Staples this afternoon!
Staples sells rolls of white paper I think they call it postal wrap or something. Also, if you want a really big roll, some places sell it for table clothes for weddings, etc.
I too am a big fan of plain old brown craft paper. I usually keep it plain and buy some really pretty ribbon. Last year was brown craft paper with pretty sheer red ribbon, and white tags.
This year I was hoping to wrap most of my gifts in white paper, sheer white ribbon and adorn them with glass ornaments. Anyone know where I can find plain white paper at an affordable price?
Thanks!
I love wrapping as well. I'm lucky to have a nice big table in our laundry room. It's unfinished mind you but I still like it down there. I have all my tools close by!
I would love do to a red and white wrapping theme. I've been looking for red and white toile wrapping paper for the last 2 years with no luck. Maybe this year.
I love wrapping gifts too!!! I used to love buying gorgeous paper from a great store in Stratford! I like the idea of tissue paper for wrapping - I could get that up here!
Anyone with great ideas for transforming brown kraft paper into goregous presents? I can get that here too.
Lore
thick white wrapping paper....I pick up ribbon all year round at dollar stores and Micheals. It is hard to find the white paper though.
I also like the plain coloured foil wrap. It is a little easier to find.
Each year I manage to spend a day stamping and quilling up Christmas tags....usually with a friend.
I definitely need a craft table!!!! With organized ribbon holders and drawers for all my knick knacks.....one day
quillingnut
Yes, I would! :)
I will set something similar up but not with every ribbon colour under the sun, mind you.
It's like icing on a cake, isn't it?
Wouldn't you love to have one of those wrapping stations like Martha does?
I really appreciate a nicely wrapped gift. And when you colour co-ordinate them they look so nice under the tree. My "colours" are white paper with gold bows and ribbons. I would love a nice big wrapping table, I'm thinking of implementing one in my basement (some day).
I like it.
And as long ago as I can remember my mother appointed me to do all of it.
Out of six kids, I had the task..
I really like it simple though.
Lately my favorite is baby blue tissue paper (Dollar Store), and raffia.
Last Christmas I rec'd a gift wrapped in copper color tissue and copper colored & brown raffia...it looked beautiful...maybe I'll try that.
Haven't thought too much about Christmas yet anyway.....usually not until at least early December.
I think a red & white theme sounds great though!