Guest Post by Erin Klones
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is wrapping presents. Every year, I put on my favorite Christmas movies (Elf and Christmas Vacation) and have a marathon wrapping session. But as much as a I love wrapping presents, I hate the thought of literally throwing away money on pricey wrapping paper that just gets tossed into the garbage.
So this year I decided to try an alternative to traditional holiday wrapping paper. I created my own frugal wrapping paper using fruits and veggies.
For this project you will need:
A roll of brown mailing paper ($1 at Dollar Tree)
Acrylic Paints
A variety of fruits and veggies
I used cookie cutters to cut shapes into the potatoes (an old trick I remember from when my mom taught preschool). Just push the cookie cutters into a halved potato and use a paring knife to cut away the excess.
The other fruits and veggies, I just cut in half to create my stamps.
Pour a little bit of paint onto a paper plate, dip your chosen produce into the paint and start stamping.
I just love the interesting shapes that you get from the different items. The baby bok choy roses are definitely my favorite.
This is a great project for kids. Even my two year old did some stamping, and I’ve stashed away his masterpieces to wrap gifts for the Grandmas and Grandpas.
Leave a comment! What are your frugal alternatives to buying wrapping paper?
Erin Klones is a busy working mom and wife who loves a bargain! Her blog, Simply Frugal Mom, offers tips and information on crafts, recipes, coupons, organization, and other areas of frugal living.
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it does work – my preschoolers made bok choy paintings with mixed success – it’s definitely worth a try:
http://partycraftsecrets.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/bok-choy-rose-stamps.html
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All of you that get like 10 sunday papers…..save the comics! It makes great wrapping paper. They can be stored in 1/2 a cupboard all year and it works for birthday’s or christmas. I’d probably do the cut veggies/fruit for a wedding 🙂
Save christmas cards from people. The the following christmas cut them in half and save the picture side. Hole punch the corner, tie a ribbon to it, write on the back. You now have present tags and you have recycled last years cards. This isn’t wrapping but it in the family and it is a frugal trick.
Ditto on Maegen’s post- easel paintings from school are great for wrapping gifts!
I love Erin!
I have to say I’ve tried this, and mine have never looked that good, but this makes me want to try again!
I’ve used my kids’ artwork to wrap gifts (that heavy paper they paint on at preschool works well). I know some people couldn’t bear to part with it, but if I kept it all, we’d be buried alive! It’s a nice bonus for the in-laws, too!
I like using old maps to wrap presents.
Thanks so much for the chance to guest post. Feel free to stop by Simply Frugal Mom for instructions on the DIY bows and tags I added to these packages!
http://www.simplyfrugalmom.com/2011/12/05/makechristmasbowsandtagswithscrapbookpaper/
so cute!!