Celebrations

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

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Use store flyers received in the mail to wrap gifts.
It is frugal and sustainable.
- Some people find it looks cheap.
2 people, independently
- Repurpose old magazines, mail catalogs, or advertisements as gift wrap.5
- Slip-cover boxes to create reusable gift wrapping.1
- Use old fast-food flyers or coupons as wrapping paper for a humorous or practical effect.1
- Unwrap gifts carefully to preserve the wrapping paper for reuse.1
- Use mail advertisements that would otherwise be recycled for gift wrapping.1
Wrap classroom gifts in butcher paper that you have custom-doodled.
It creates a lasting handmade feel; one recipient kept their package for 20 years.
2 people, independently
Thrift Christmas-themed bed sheets and cut them into gift wraps using a tying method to avoid tape and plastic.
It is a sustainable option that costs very little.
one person who lived it
Wait until after Christmas to buy wrapping supplies and store them for future years.
Stores need to clear inventory space for low-cost items.
one person who lived it
- Wait until a couple of weeks before the holiday to buy wrapping paper.1
If you struggle with overspending on gifts, limit yourself to buying only one roll of wrapping paper.
One person found this helped keep present buying in check for a family of three children.
one person who lived it

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Purchase wrapping paper at thrift shops or during post-holiday sales to save money.

Stock up on gift wrap at Walgreens when it is heavily discounted.
It is cheaper.
one person who lived it
Paint a watercolor scene on brown paper wrapping.
The recipient may value the art more than the gift.
one person who lived it
Keep using the same gift bags annually for holidays like Christmas, birthdays, and anniversaries.
This saves money and prevents the guilt of discarding bags that are still in good condition.
4 people, independently
- Save gift bags from past celebrations for future use.3
- Regift bags you have received, even if they do not match the current occasion.1
- Use reusable holiday-themed shopping bags or gift bags with festive tissue paper instead of wrapping paper to reduce mess and allow reuse.2
Use old sheet music as wrapping paper for a unique, aesthetic look.
It looks nice with colored ribbon.
- Some argue you should sell or donate old music instead of defacing it.
- Sheet music can be more expensive than standard wrapping paper.
2 people, independently

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Wrap gifts in the decorative bow and discard the plastic bag.
It avoids adding garbage to the mix.
one person who lived it
- Add a twine bow or other decorative material to newspaper-wrapped gifts to improve their presentation and make them look less like garbage.1
- Put gifts directly into a decorative grocery bag instead of wrapping them separately.1
Wrap gifts in old maps or torn-up children's books.
Physical print maps are aesthetically pleasing and unique.
2 people, independently
Wrap gifts in brown paper bags tied with string to save money and reduce waste.
It is a cost-effective alternative when cash is short.
3 people, independently
Give only one small, reasonable gift from Santa and keep larger gifts from parents.
This prevents children from having to explain why Santa favors wealthier families when talking to peers from poorer backgrounds.
one person who lived it
Make cards and envelopes from old maps.
They look cool and are quick and easy to make.
2 people, independently
Wrap gifts in usable items such as scarves, baby blankets, towels, or pillowcases.
The wrapping serves as extra protection or provides a useful item if the gift itself is not liked.
3 people, independently
Cut plastic bags into squares and tie them with stickers as wrapping.
It is cheap and technically recycling.
- Not as aesthetic.
one person who lived it
Wrap gifts in a silk scarf.
The recipient may be delighted.
one person who lived it
Place soil and a flower bulb in an old coffee mug, then give the mug in a bag as a gift.
It helps clear out cupboards.
one person who lived it
Save stickable bows from gifts to reuse later.
It saves money later since buying new ones is a waste.
one person who lived it
Cut or separate a cardboard box along the long edge, flip the cardboard, and retape it to create a kraft brown storage box.
This turns the box into a kraft brown gift wrap storage box.
one person who lived it
Avoid using fast food bags for gift wrapping.
They can have too much grease, smell, and look tacky compared to other options.
one person who lived it
Wrap items with old newspaper and tie them with jute twine for a vintage look.
It looks vintage and cute.
one person who lived it
Use old plastic bags as ribbon.
They look metallic.
one person who lived it
Use brown craft paper from the shipping packaging section of dollar stores as a versatile, year-round wrapping material.
It comes in packs and can be used all year.
5 people, independently
Use shipping packaging from online purchases to wrap presents.
It is a great use for saved boxes and packaging.
- The paper may smell unpleasant.
- Do not use on gifts for people you are trying to impress, as the wrapping experience is part of the fun.
one person who lived it
Save small leftover pieces of wrapping paper to use for tiny gifts in future years.
To save money.
one person who lived it
Agree with family and partners to exchange no physical presents.
It avoids waste and clutter, and everyone can be happy.
one person who lived it
Use Trader Joe’s bags for wrapping gifts.
They often feature holiday patterns, are thick and forgiving to wrap with, and are readily available.
3 people, independently
Use discounted wallpaper as wrapping paper for a durable, luxurious look.
It is durable and looks and feels luxurious.
one person who lived it
Save and smooth out packing paper from Amazon orders, then let children decorate it with markers, crayons, or paint.
Grandparents love the result.
2 people, independently
Purchase wrapping paper at thrift shops or during post-holiday sales to save money.
Lower costs reduce anxiety about making trimming errors with expensive material.
6 people, independently
Store wrapping paper in open LEGO boxes.
The boxes are sturdy and fit wrapping paper perfectly.
one person who lived it
- Store wrapping paper in large cardboard boxes, such as those from closet kits.1
Ask farmers for old chicken, cattle, or horse feed bags to use as wrapping paper.
Farmers often have many of these bags and throw them away; the bright animal pictures make for special wrapping.
one person who lived it
Make small pots from torn strips of paper to hold succulent cuttings for gifting.
It avoids the cost of buying mini pots and allows the recipient to plant the cutting directly into the ground.
one person who lived it
Skip wrapping entirely by having the recipient close their eyes while you place the gift in their hands, then tell them to open their eyes.
The recipient will know the gift even without unwrapping.
one person who lived it
Use red butcher's twine ribbon on brown paper packages.
It looks very festive.
one person who lived it
Use the Japanese method of wrapping gifts in reusable cloth, such as scarves you already own.
It is a frugal, less wasteful, beautiful, and practical option.
one person who lived it
Use reusable holiday fabrics and ribbon instead of disposable wrapping paper.
It is pricier up front but eliminates the need to buy new paper and reduces waste; it also creates a cozy vibe.
2 people, independently
If you want to prevent family members from snooping on gifts, wrap them all in identical, unmarked brown paper so only you know which is which.
It combats snooping by hiding the recipient's identity.
one person who lived it
Use pages from old road atlases as wrapping paper for a unique look.
It provides a wonderful and unique look.
one person who lived it
Draw personal doodles or inside jokes on gift packages to add a personal touch.
It makes the gift feel handmade and special.
one person who lived it
Wrap online gifts in their original shipping boxes after removing packing slips and receipts, or have the retailer ship directly to the recipient.
Saves on gift boxes.
- You cannot exchange the item if the size is wrong once it is wrapped and given.
one person who lived it
Use shredded paper as packing material for shipped items.
It is good recycling and free.
one person who lived it
Ask paper companies for free 'roll ends', mentioning a Sunday school class or similar cause to improve your chances.
Many companies will give them away for free if asked.
one person who lived it
Cut leftover wrapping paper into thin strips, attach the ends together with tape, and form them into bows.
To avoid wasting wrapping paper.
one person who lived it
Use Amazon packing paper, cardboard gift tags, and Christmas stamps for rustic wrapping.
It is great recycling and avoids wasteful, non-recyclable wrapping paper.
one person who lived it
Use pages from old textbooks, law school books, or homework to wrap gifts.
5 people, independently
Add ribbon to gifts wrapped in newspaper to improve their appearance.
It prevents the wrapping from looking shabby.
one person who lived it
Repurpose items you already have that are destined for recycling instead of buying new supplies.
It reduces consumption and waste.
one person who lived it
Sew permanent cloth gift bags using cheap Christmas-themed fabric bought after the holiday.
5 people, independently
Collect Sunday newspaper comics throughout the year to serve as vibrant gift wrap.
This section typically contains the most vivid imagery in the paper.
4 people, independently
Use REI's sustainable packaging paper for wrapping gifts.
It is designed for reuse and has appealing colors.
one person who lived it
Use thicker wrapping paper for recipients with arthritis or limited dexterity.
The higher profile ridge is easier to grasp.
one person who lived it
Ask stores for their discarded special cardboard display boxes after the Christmas season ends.
They are often given these boxes and discard them after the season.
one person who lived it
Add twine or other accessories to simple wrapping materials to add to their appearance.
It adds extra cuteness.
one person who lived it
- Add greenery to wrapping.1
Wrap gifts with open fronts or fluffy contents in plastic wrap before applying paper to prevent punctures and ease the process.
Prevents punctures and makes wrapping easier.
one person who lived it
Decorate gifts with twine and free natural items like pinecones collected from outside.
Twine is cheap and natural items are free, making this a frugal option.
one person who lived it
Buy wrapping paper at deep discounts with an employee discount if available.
one person who lived it
Use plain brown postal paper as a versatile, recyclable alternative to patterned wrapping paper.
It looks better than gaudy patterns and is recyclable.
2 people, independently
Use newspaper sections that interest the recipient as wrapping material to save money on standard paper.
It saves money on wrapping supplies and allows for personalization.
5 people, independently
Wrap individual components of a gift separately.
This increases the joy of unwrapping by allowing the recipient to rip open multiple layers.
one person who lived it
Add origami decorations hot-glued onto packages.
It garners compliments on the wrapping job.
one person who lived it
Fold the edge of the wrapping paper multiple times at the ends before finishing to create a thicker tab for easier gripping.
one person who lived it

Draw a bow on brown craft paper with a Sharpie to create a decorative look.
It looks pretty cool.
one person who lived it

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Decorate plain brown wrapping paper with paint splashes, glitter, stamps, markers, or stickers to make it festive.

Use potato stamps on brown paper for wrapping.
It looks great.
one person who lived it
- Stamp designs on brown paper or use twine to add a fancy or rustic touch.1
Decorate butcher paper with sponge stamps and poster paint for holidays or gifts.
It adds fun to the gift-giving process.
one person who lived it
Stamp plain wrapping paper with cheap acrylic paint and sponge stamps to create custom designs.
It creates pretty wrapping paper.
one person who lived it
Decorate plain packing paper with stamps and paint, involving children in the process before wrapping.
It adds extra decoration and is a fun project for kids.
2 people, independently
- Decorate plain brown wrapping paper with paint splashes, glitter, stamps, markers, or stickers to make it festive.4

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Use striped or polka dot wrapping paper for birthdays as well as Christmas.
People generally do not care about the specific holiday theme of the paper.
one person who lived it
Use rubber stamps to decorate kraft paper wrapping.
It enhances the appearance of the wrapping.
2 people, independently
Decorate plain wrapping paper with metallic pens, ribbons, plants, or stamps to improve its appearance.
These additions make the presentation look better.
one person who lived it
Stamp brown paper with holiday designs like holly, Santa, or snowflakes.
It looks cool, professional, and beautiful.
one person who lived it

Wrap gifts on a table rather than on carpeted floors to prevent ink from newspaper wrapping from staining the floor.
Ink can stain carpets, especially white ones.
one person who lived it