wrap it up

We've always enjoyed creative and green gift wrapping, but last year I had big plans for making drawstring cloth bags for all of our family presents. I gathered up my material that felt festive and cheery. Stacks of red and white scraps and yardage sat on my work table with high hopes of seeing seams and drawstring channels. And there they sat, as slippers, buckets, and the like got sewn. As the big day loomed, I acknowledged that it wasn't to be... but maybe that was for the best. Simply wrapping presents up with those piles of fabric kept my options open. No cutting or sewing allowed me to keep some beautiful yardage that I'd rather save in one piece. It also inspired me to get creative with other materials that I wasn't ready to cut up. Out came vintage napkins and tea towels.. such perfect sizes for wrapping! The children struggled with using only yarn on some of the odd shaped packages. A little tape came to the rescue. Last year worked out so well, that we'll be following suit this week. We'll use the large pieces for big items and fold scraps to size for smaller presents. No scissors! The pile above is a photo taken on Christmas morning 2010... the happy aftermath. Later we rolled up the yarn, saved the tags, and folded the fabric to go back on the shelf. It didn't take long with everyone's help. Below is the after shot- neat and tidy.

I'll be making some more tags like these... they make me happy! Yesterday my daughter and her friend had a wonderful time making little watercolor snowflakes to top presents and just to give.

I helped them punch 2" flakes out of watercolor paper. They added glitter glue after the paint... which diluted the paint, but they didn't care. Glitter is essential.

If you're looking for wrapping options, it really doesn't have to be complicated, nor involve scissors and thread.  Napkins, tablecloths, and pieces of fabric are all you really need. Tie it up with ribbons and yarn. Add handmade gift tags and you'll be set! This works for everyone on your giving list, but especially for those presents that stay right at home.