Mom’s Money

The Wrapping Costs More Than The Gift

I love those little fancy gift bags. But, have you noticed the prices? The cost of wrapping a gift has become almost as expensive as what’s inside. Sometimes more!

It’s hard to give up wrapping gifts in those pretty little bags, paper, and ribbons, but how can I justify spending that kind of money on just the wrapping? With a touch of creativity and a bit of craftiness, I have designed my own inexpensive, yet fancy, gift wrappings at a fraction of the cost.

You’ll find in any party store, dollar store, or grocery store, small “lunch” bags; little brown, white, or colored paper bags. They’ll be sold in packs of ten, twelve, or more for a very reasonable price. Now, buy yourself some jute string (that’s the brown, natural-looking stuff) for the brown bags, some ribbon or colored yarn for the white or colored bags, and any other decorative items you think might make your gift bag pretty. You can glue, tape, or use a hole punch and thread your string or ribbon through to form a handle on the bag. You may want to cut the top of the bag off a little to make it smaller, and to get rid of the rough edge. Try using special scrapbooking scissors to create a uniquely shaped gift bag.

If you make a few of these gift bags up and keep them on hand, you’ll be ready for any gift-giving emergency. When you have a little gift for your neighbor for picking up your mail, or a gift for your daughter’s piano teacher for her new grandchild, you’ll be ready. When a small gift is appropriate, you’ll be ready with the wrapping… and it won’t cost you more than the gift!