Do you reuse gift bags? I have an entire bag full of gift bags in my closet. If my kids get a bag and it remains in great condition, I save it and reuse it later (sometimes years later, lol). Gift bags have gotten outrageously expensive!
If I need a new gift bag, I always go to the Dollar Tree. They have an entire wall of gift bags for $1 and I have found some very cute character bags there before.
I don’t save wrapping paper to reuse though. I’m not that disciplined. I always rip into my packages!
To save on wrapping paper, I buy ahead whenever I can. I always buy Christmas paper when it’s 90% off. If I ever need to wrap a present for a birthday, I turn the wrapping paper over and wrap the present with the white side showing and then the kids decorate the paper. This is always a big hit with the grandparents!
How do you save on wrapping presents?
Be sure to catch up on all the previous Let’s Save Some Money posts.
Bethany says
I use all the wrapping paper my kids ripped open to wrap the breakable decoration in!
Linda says
For smaller gifts, I use old calendar pictures.
Tanya in Carolina says
We also recycle bags around my house! I also save any type of box that a gift may be in. I have one large box with tons of shirt boxes from previous years. As long as they are not torn they get used. I also bring home boxes from work that our check stock comes in. They are the perfect size!
RK says
We absolutely save gift bags and tissue paper. For wrapping paper, we bought a bunch on clearance after Christmas a few years ago and it is still going. (We made sure to get a couple in more neutral designs for birthdays and weddings.)
We put tags on Christmas gifts by cutting out small rectangles of contrasting wrapping paper. For example, we will wrap one present in red paper and one in green paper, and then make a red tag for the green present and a green tag for the red present.
If a gift needs to be boxed before wrapping, we always have plenty of shipping boxes (mostly from Amazon) for that.
Penny says
No one has mentioned one of my favorites. I use old maps and atlases. The larger state maps are good for bigger presents and the atlas is good for smaller ones. This is especially good for men and teenage boys. I always get the “I would have never thought of that, how neat” comments when I use them.
Angela says
I buy wrapping paper after Christmas and store it.
I also buy paper from here: http://www.papermart.com/
I keep several GIANT rolls of basic patterns and Kraft paper around. When I need to wrap a gift, I can change things up with colors of ribbons and tags and things (I scrapbook). I also usually use a smaller gift to embellish a large package– a doll, Christmas ornament, doily, hair accessory, etc.
Papermart also has phenomenal pricing on curling ribbon.
Amanda H. says
Not sure if this was mentioned yet, but currently I use the brown postal paper. It looks like craft paper, but is much cheaper. Since it is a neutral color, I tie a colorful ribbon around it and put a bow on it. When that runs out, I may get the end rolls from our local newspaper. Since it is thinner I will probably wrap the gift twice. Once plain, then have the kids decorate the other piece. Not sure about that yet though because the brown paper has been a hit, haha!
Michelle says
I always head to my local newspaper and buy a few of their “end rolls” for a couple of dollars. They are big enough for larger presents and then let my kiddos go crazy with their markers, crayons, stickers, stamps, whatever they want. It’s perfect because they feel so proud when the person sees their creation plus I save a ton of money and never have to worry that I don’t have wrapping paper. Plus the paper can also be used as a tablecloth for parties or a messy art project.
Cindy says
I reuse gift bags too. But for the kids I usually try to wrap the gifts. So I buy that at the dollar tree. I have found some great ones there. I also keep an eye out for mark downs at the party store. I found all things for a Nick Jr themed party (including a Wilton Diego and Backyardagian cake pan) for 75 cents! Couldn’t find all one theme so older son said “why not do a nick Jr theme?” What a smart boy!! Got almost everything I needed for a party for about $10. I am thinking since there is only a couple of kids going to be there I may splerge and get them all Dora DVDs with the Target coupons if I can find them for $5 before the coupon.
Denise-Scrapmouse says
We reuse gift bags too. In fact there is one bag that looks like denim jeans that keeps getting passed around my family, my parents and my sister. It makes for good laughs to see who gets it next. We also reuse tissue paper if in good shape. We don’t use bows, makes for less waste. And we buy Christmas wrapping paper too when it’s 90% off. I buy rolls good for Christmas and rolls that are plain colored and would work for birthdays. I also stock up on scotch tape at after Christmas sales. Target usually has tape on clearance and then there is usually coupons too which makes for cheap or free tape. Walgreens also has good sales on rolls of tape during the year with their in store coupons. Just to need to keep your eyes open for their sales.
Megan says
I keep all gift bags and tissue paper received in a box. Whenever I need anything, I just go to it and it’s great for when I need a bag and tissue paper last minute. Since I’ve been doing this for so long I always seem to have what I need when I need it.
This all started with Christmas. My mom, sister, and I have been doing this for years and often see bags from five Christmas’ ago. :D It’s awesome to see something reused for so long and I rarely have to buy anything for gift wrapping during the holidays.
It’s not a new concept, but it is a goodie. :D
Kimber says
For a smaller gift, I sometimes use just white tissue paper and pretty ribbon. Simple, but it looks nice.
A bit off-topic, but here’s an alternitive use for that 90% off Christmas paper … I got a few rolls and, thanks to the suggestion of a friend, scored hours of entertainment for my toddler by unrolling a few feet at a time and letting her color on it! I turn it over and let her color the white side, but older kids could have fun tracing and embellishing the side with the pattern. When I need a few mintues to get something done, out comes the roll of gift wrap and a few crayons! I think I spent thirty cents per roll in January, and it’s been a great investment! :o)
marie says
Great idea for me and for preschool thanks!
Lynn says
paper instead of plastic at the grocery store. If its for a child my kids usually color, sticker, stamp and decorate. I use left over ribbon from my craft or sewing projects or buy at the dollar store right after a holiday. My christmas decor is primitive so the brown bag and brown wrapping with pretty ribbon fits right in. The only christmas paper I buy is for the kids and of course is bought after Christmas for almost nothing!
Jen says
I am not a big fan of wrapping gifts in bags, because I think it say’s, “I didn’t care enough to take the time to wrap it.” We use several methods of wrapping. My favorite is to use paper grocery bags, flip them so only the brown shows and then embellish the package with pretty ribbon and faux flowers. I also use leftover fabric to wrap gifts – there are many ways you can wrap it around presents. Another way is to use cigar boxes (usually just a buck or two at your local cigar shop – they throw them away otherwise so don’t be afraid to ask) and put a little tissue paper inside and wrap up cookies and other treats; glass jars work the same way.
Gina says
It can also say “I don’t know how to wrap.” When my hubby and I were engaged we bought a wedding present for a couple who’s wedding we were attending and he asked me to wrap it. The next day he came by to pick me up for the wedding and was like “What did you do?” Yes it looked as though a 6 year old had wrapped it. Never have gotten the hang of it. So either I put it in a bag or my hubby wraps it. He’s so much better at these things.
Jen F says
We once got a gift wrapped in a TShirt – it worked really well.
I also save gift bags whenever possible, and totally stock up after all holidays. After Valentine’s the red bags generally go on clearance too, and sometimes White. On the White bags, I’ll stamp a design if I’m feeling motivated – otherwise colorful tissue paper does the trick.
Tabitha says
I stocked up at the Dollar Tree after Christmas when their paper was 50c a roll. I was thinking “outside the box”. It was all Christmas paper but the blue with silver stars can be used for a birthday. I found solid red and red with tiny silver swirls (birthday, valentines, anniversary). I also found kind of a marbled white paper and a cream colored with gold stars (wedding, baby, birthday). So next time you see cheap Christmas wrapping paper, but don’t need any, think outside the box and see if any can be used for other holidays!!
Rose says
We always save our gifts bags. Im fairly sure the same couple of gift bags have been passed back and forth in my family for years. lol And if I absolutely have to buy a gift bag I always get it from Dollar Tree. They have some really cute ones.
I love the comic idea. There are plently to go around with all the papers we buy.
stacy says
I, also, started using the shopping bags from the disney store, TRU or BRU for my wrapping. Add some tissue paper and done. I started doing this when I was looking for a bag for sis in laws baby. $5.00 for a bag or 1.49 for a cute pink reusable bag w/elephants on it. Yup….got the 1.49 one :)
Cori says
There are a few different things that you can do. When I was younger, I would use the comics from the Sunday paper. On Sundays they were colored, not black & white. Now I buy paper at the dollar store which can be used for anything. Mostly solid colors or geometric patterns.
I go for the reusable bag idea as well, but not from the Disney Store. My local grocery store has a variety of bags in different colors which are all priced at $0.99.
I know this sounds random, but try teacher stores for bulletin board paper. It comes in large rolls of solid colored paper and is pretty cheap when you think about the price based on the size of the roll.
Ann says
I love wrapping in comics. The kids get a kick out it, and the adults don’t mind either! Seeing I am getting at least 1 if not 3 papers every Sunday, there is plenty of “wrapping paper” to be had!!!
Cathy says
My sister and I make it a habit to ask for a gift box at stores, whether it be clothing or others, even if we’re not giving it as a gift. Eventually, we’ll need a box to pack a gift in. I also buy the gift wrap at discount after Christmas. I buy ones that are more generic, so I can use it for multiple occasions.
Jen says
I’ve been ‘wrapping’ gifts in the reusable shopping totes from the Disney store. Those can be reused by the recipient for shopping, or also for gift giving. They hold up nicely.
A girlfriend of mine wrapped my kiddos gifts in fabric remnants and it was adorable.
Kristin from Couponing to Disney says
I love the reusable bag idea! That’s brilliant!
Teresa says
We got a few gifts given to us this way for my kids! I loved it! We use the Mickey one and the Minnie one as their library bags now. They get to fill with library books when we go and that is where they are stored when we are done reading them so that they don’t get lost! :-) Best gift ever!!!
Cindy says
I did this last year for Christmas. Since it was towards the end of football season, They had Bears(we live near CHicago) bags with different players on them for $1.00 so I picked up some. I gave my son a bears themed bag with bears crocs we picked up online for $9.99!
Amber says
Every Christmas we have a bow bag, we have bows from years ago! As long as they are in good condition, we reuse.
Nicole says
My kids actually came up with a great way to save on gift wrapping for my birthday last week. Since we were camping, they wrapped my presents up in blankets and pillowcases! And best of all, the cleanup was the easiest ever!