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Christmas gifts are expensive, but many people don't realize how expensive the wrapping supplies are. Having to purchase wrapping paper, tape, bows, and all the other trimmings of a present can be very costly. One idea to help keep extra costs down is to create your own wrapping paper. It's cheap, easy, and can be made into a family tradition!

Purchase a pad of children's newsprint paper. You can also use colorful comic pages and brown paper bags. You can find this at almost any store, even your local grocery store! The larger the paper size, the easier it will be to wrap and personalize your paper. Next, purchase or dig out children's art supplies, such as markers, crayons, glitter, glue and string. You can also use everyday household items to decorate, such as unique magnets, and soda bottle caps.

Begin by laying out your supplies on a flat surface, taking stock of what you have to work with. From there, figure out the size of the paper you will need to cover your gift. Begin to lay out and design your paper, keeping in mind of where it may need to be folded and sealed (or where a string will be to hold it together). Your own creative juices will start flowing, and even more creative ideas will come to you.

Once you have your setup and layout, begin to glue your object onto the paper. This is where you will also begin to draw if you've chosen marker and crayons as your medium. Bright, festive colors will liven up any paper or bag you've chosen to work with. Be bold with your ideas and everyone will love and appreciate how much thought you've put into just the wrapping of a gift!

Another wrapping idea you could use is the brown paper bag tied with a string, giving a touch of classic simplicity to your holiday setting. Ironing fall leaves between wax paper and gluing them to a brown paper is also a great idea, and easy to make. Simple works, and bold is beautiful. Let your children help to design their own wrapping paper, giving them hours of amusement as you finish your holiday wrapping yourself! Budget wrapping is fun for the whole family!

Learn more about this author, Helen Garda.
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