Old road atlases and maps
One outdated road atlas will last for years. I like to choose a page of the atlas that’s relevant to the recipient. I’ve also got a stack of world maps I get from charities. They’re great for larger gifts.
Children’s drawings
If you’ve got kids, you’ve probably got a stockpile of drawings and paintings. Show them off to other family members and cull your collection a little.
Fabric scraps
If you’re a sewer or an interior designer with old swatch books, you probably have a healthy supply of fabric that’ll class up your gifts and send your overstock to a new home.
Newspaper or funny paper
A time-honored tradition, yet still a great one. Embellish plain newspaper with colored markers or colored scraps of paper.
Grocery bags
Turn these inside out and decorate to your heart’s content. Colored markers or ribbon will make this minimalist wrapping look elegant.
Old scarves
Dig deep into that drawer and find some that haven’t seen the light of day for years. They’ll turn an ordinary package into a work of art.
Aluminum foil
Perfect for certain kinds of packages, it’s festive and shiny and molds around any shape.
Wallpaper scraps
You’ve been saving it for years, right? You’re probably not ever going to need it for your walls. This thick paper is great for larger packages.
Old calendars
They pretty much always have great photos, and they’re destined for the recycling bin.
Tins, cans and jars
Tins and cans can be covered with any of the paper mentioned above, and jars need only tissue paper inside and a bow on top. Voila!
One outdated road atlas will last for years. I like to choose a page of the atlas that’s relevant to the recipient. I’ve also got a stack of world maps I get from charities. They’re great for larger gifts.
Children’s drawings
If you’ve got kids, you’ve probably got a stockpile of drawings and paintings. Show them off to other family members and cull your collection a little.
Fabric scraps
If you’re a sewer or an interior designer with old swatch books, you probably have a healthy supply of fabric that’ll class up your gifts and send your overstock to a new home.
Newspaper or funny paper
A time-honored tradition, yet still a great one. Embellish plain newspaper with colored markers or colored scraps of paper.
Grocery bags
Turn these inside out and decorate to your heart’s content. Colored markers or ribbon will make this minimalist wrapping look elegant.
Old scarves
Dig deep into that drawer and find some that haven’t seen the light of day for years. They’ll turn an ordinary package into a work of art.
Aluminum foil
Perfect for certain kinds of packages, it’s festive and shiny and molds around any shape.
Wallpaper scraps
You’ve been saving it for years, right? You’re probably not ever going to need it for your walls. This thick paper is great for larger packages.
Old calendars
They pretty much always have great photos, and they’re destined for the recycling bin.
Tins, cans and jars
Tins and cans can be covered with any of the paper mentioned above, and jars need only tissue paper inside and a bow on top. Voila!
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