Fabric Wrapping
"When I do a craft project, and I want it to be unique and have something for a conversation piece I wrap my give in fabric and use a pretty ribbon, and flower, all to match the gift."
--Rita Carter, Los Angeles

Brown Paper
"Use brown craft paper and stamp/paint decorations on it or use the Sunday Comics."
--Juanita, Brooksville

Recycled Lacy Curtains
Look for lacy curtains at garage sales and thrift shops. Use them to wrap your packages and tie with ribbon.
--Juanita, Brooksville

Sponge Paint
Use gold or silver metallic paint and sponge a pattern on ordinary white paper.
--Ann C.

Butcher Paper
"Decorate white butcher paper and decorate it with rubber stamps. Add glitter and confetti to make it sparkle."
--Barbara S., Plymouth MA

Paper Bags
"Cut brown paper bags open along the seam and cut off the bottom. The wrap can be stamped, splatter painted, stenciled, free-hand painted or what ever else your imagination and supplies guide you to!"
--Bette, Walpole

Tissue Paper
"Use tissue paper and rubber stamping. It's very inexpensive and you can make several sheets at a time and save for future use."
--Bobbi H., Wheeling, IL

Decorated Boxes
Ball up tissue paper to give it wrinkles then smooth it out leaving some wrinkles. Glue to the outside of plain gift box. Spray with the suede paint. Glue on your twigs, leaves or whatever you chose to use. This makes the gift look like it was wrapped in leather."
--Shell, St Marys, GA

Tablecloth Wrapping
"Wrap large gifts in disposable, paper tablecloths with a festive print."
--Diane

Blow Pens
"Decorate paper with blo pens."
--Anonymous

Computer Printing
"There are a lot of wrapping paper sites on line that you can print out wrapping paper on 8 1/2 X 11 sheets of paper FOR FREE.
--Heather H., DuBois PA

"Decoupage Scraps"
"Save your scraps and ends of the wrapping paper roll. Decoupage them on plain paper. Let dry and use to wrap your packages. Finish with a raffia bow."
--Donna K, Roanoke VA

"Works of Art"
"Use your children's artwork to wrap packages for grandparents and other relative who will consider it a cherished gift."
--Alicia, Faribault, MN

Newspaper Wrap
"Ask your local newspaper for an end of the roll of newspaper, decorate it with foam shapes, comics, old photo's, magazine photo's, etc."
Judi S., Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Tulle Wrap
"For small, odd-sized gifts, wrap in a few layers of tulle netting. Tie with a ribbon."
--Lorrie, Bakersfield, CA

Recycled Balloons
"Save deflated mylar balloons and use to wrap up small packages."
--Diana M., Kaysville, UT

Baskets
"Watch for nice baskets at yard sales and thrift shops. Use a basket tied with a ribbon instead of gift wrapping."
--Cathy R., Gap, PA

Wallpaper
"Wallpaper stores will give you their outdated books. Use juvenile prints for kids, masculine prints for men, a floral for grandma."
--Linda H., Hartselle, Alabama

Paper Dyeing
"Use water based markers to make dot marks on plain paper. Soak it in water. Let dry. Use to wrap paper."
--Ami

Two Gifts in One
"Wrap a baby gift in a receiving blanket. Wrap bridal shower gift in a tea towel."
Cathy M., Ontario, Canada

Personalized Paper
"For small gifts, write a letter to the recipient on pretty stationery and use the letter to wrap the present."
--Deborah P., New Orleans, LA

Recycled Chip Bags
"Cut along the seam of an empty potato chip bag. Turn it inside out, wash it, and wrap with the silver side out."
--Karen P., Mesquite Texas

Posters
"Use free promotional posters from theatres, sporting goods stores and record stores to wrap gifts."
--Letty, CA

Classic Wrap
"Put your gifts in a plain cardboard box and decorate it with brown raffia."
--Anonymous

Shop on Sale
"Buy solid color wrapping paper after Christmas when you can find it from 50% up 90% off. Dress it up according to the occasion. For kids birthdays stickers to go with the theme. For adult occasions stamps work well."
--Kat, Las Vegas, NV

Foot and Hand Prints
"We help our daughter to make hand and foot prints all over a roll of butcher paper. We use this to wrap gifts for out-of-state relatives so they can see how she's grown."
--Jackie D.

Waxed Paper Creations
"With a warm iron, seal flower petals and leaves between two sheets of waxed paper. Use to wrap plain boxes."
--Dennielle K., Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Recycled Shopping Bags
"Save bags from fancy boutiques and department stores to wrap your gifts."
--Anonymous

Lunch Bags
"Fold down the top of the lunch bag. Punch two holes and tie  with a ribbon."
--Lori, Belle Mead, NJ

Tie Dye Wrap
"For small gifts, make tie dye wrap from coffee filters. Wrap rubber bands around a coffee filter. Paint coffee filter with water color paints. Let dry, remove rubber bands. Iron flat. Wrap up gifts using one or more "tie dyed" filters."
--Annoys

Yarn Wrap
"Use left over yarn and  wrap yarn all around the gift until it covers the whole thing, then add any designs with beads or markers, and you're done!"
--Anonymous

Cardboard Tubes
"Save empty paper towel rolls and mailing tubes. Stuff your gift inside."
--Jo, Lenoir City, Tennessee

Another Grocery Bag Idea
-Turn brown paper bags inside-out. Glue on pictures from children's magazines to decorate."
--Kara M, Moses Lake, WA

Drawstring Bags
"Make simple drawstring bags out of odd scraps of material."
--Julie

Recycled Maps
"I used old maps that we no longer needed from a family reunion trip we took this summer. The maps had our route outlined and were a huge hit with family members."
--Anonymous