“Brown paper packages tied up in string” have strayed oh-so-far from the few of my favorite things days of simplicity. If you’re not careful, the wrapping surrounding your Christmas gift could end up costing you more than the actual present within the box. Eye catching paper and beautifully tied bows call to us with the myth that an ideal Christmas requires extravagant expense when it comes to adorning that perfect gift. This myth simply doesn’t hold water. Take advantage of these tips to save big while still wrapping your favorite things.
Keep things in perspective. As wonderful as it is to have brightly colored bows and snazzy foil paper, keep in mind that come Christmas morn, your hard work (and hard earned cash used to pay for wrapping) will be in a big black trash bag. Don’t mindlessly buy without paying attention to the cost. Instead, set a budget for wrapping and ribbons, just like you do gifts.
Never buy gift tags. There are plenty of awesome FREE printable gift tags online. Check out the Pinterest board that I created full of TONS of Christmas printables, including gift tags.
Get creative. You might already possess items that would make awesome wrapping paper. The comics delight both children and those young at heart. Brown kraft paper decorated by your little prince or princesses with stickers or artwork will make their grandparents’ hearts skip a beat. From scrap felt to fabric, from butcher paper to dish towels, whether you use something you already have or purchase something that can be used again, get your creative juices flowing. Look around and see what you can use without making a purchase.
Reuse. Everybody knows that it’s a great idea to reuse gift bags and bows from previous years’ celebrations. However, you can also harvest all of the boxes that come with the gifts you ordered online this month. Collect them for gifts that you’re shipping right now, decorating them with markers, stickers, or stamps to share holiday cheer. Or, neatly stack them in a closet to use through out the year.
Skip the Super Cheap Paper. It’s probably the last thing that you would think might come out of my mouth, but the cheapest paper isn’t always the best answer. If it tears easily, you’re going to use twice the amount. So typically we avoid purchasing dollar rolls of wrapping paper. Instead, look for a sturdy mid-grade paper that will hold up well.
Wait. Delayed gratification is a virtue. The longer you wait, the further the prices will fall. Days immediately after Christmas, the wrapping paper, bows, and all of the trimmings will be up to 90% off. While those prices might come too late to help this year, it might just equal a much more affordable Christmas in 2014. Have a place to store your discount wrapping where it won’t get mangled and most importantly, don’t forget that you have it in ~365 days.
Fear not, I am not encouraging you to wrap things in a plastic grocery bag. You can still have a beautifully adorned Christmas. Just remember be intentional with your pennies and don’t literally throw them away on Christmas morning.
Don’t forget to keep this year’s Debt Free Christmas promise!
Gain inspiration to pay off debt! Check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
Someone once taught me that great gift tags are the Christmas cards that you got last year. Cut off the pretty picture on the front and use a sharpie on the front or back of it. Just make sure you check to make sure that you have gotten rid of all the parts that someone else wrote on when they sent it to you! Even photo cards will have a small section that can be made into a Christmas tag!