It's a wrap - 12 cheap ideas for gift paper

Store-bought gift wrap is not cheap these days. Sometimes it costs even more than a gift. This bothers the frugal-minded, because it's money thrown away, most of the time. Here are some frugal alternatives to throw-away wrapping paper and bows.

1. Give a large, bulky gift in a plastic storage bin instead of a big, wrapped box. Put a cloth or paper bow on the bin. Plastic bins can be cheaper than a large roll of wrapping paper. Most people could also use another plastic bin.
2. Save all bows from packages and reuse on other gifts.
3. Some people save used wrapping paper, as well. Other people don't like the folds and tape marks.
4. Saved gift bags and gift boxes generally make a better impression than reused wrapping paper.
5. Give a gift in a cloth shopping bag instead of a paper gift bag.
6. Make your own personalized gift bags from plain brown or white paper bags. Embellish and decorate them with drawings, stickers, cloth, anything.
7. On a rainy day, let the children design original wrapping paper from saved packaging paper, finger painting paper, or rolls of white paper. They will be proud when you use their paper later as gift wrap.
8. For smaller gifts, use art work. Get permission to use the art as gift wrap if it is not your own work. :)
9. Tie up a small gift in a cloth handkerchief or bandana.
10. Save holiday containers, such as cookie tins, to reuse for goodies or other gifts.
11. Save the Sunday color comics. Repurpose them as gift paper.
12. For smaller gifts, wrap in shiny aluminum foil. Stick on shiny stars if you have them.

When you do want new gift wrap for something, there are exceptional values in Mankato:

• Party City at 1870 Madison Avenue, near River Hills Mall
• Dollar Tree at 201 Sioux Road