With so much Christmas shopping going on, you may have forgotten an essential: gift wrap. Christmas is expensive, not one do you spend lot of $$$$ on the gifts, but then you wrap them up to make them pretty and presentable. Gift wrap itself is sometimes more expensive than the actual gifts. I have a closet full of all kinds of gift wrap from wrapping paper to tissue paper, gift bags, gift tags, boxes, ribbon, etc. If you can wrap with it, I probably have it, just ask Huz. But what’s more interesting is the fact that I got most of my gift wrap totally cheap and inexpensive. I never pay full price for gift wrap. Ever. Here are 6 ways to save on gift wrap for every holiday:

1. Check Thrift Stores/Yard Sales

A huge majority of my wrapping paper has come from thrift stores. Every time I’m at one, I usually find some unused gift wrap of some sort. Sometimes ribbon, sometimes full rolls of wrapping paper, but I always find something. Yard sales are also a good place to check for wrapping paper. Maybe not in this weather, but check throughout the year and save it for when you need it.

 

2. Discount Department Stores

Discount department stores usually sell wrapping paper and trust me, it’s the good stuff. The thick rolls that don’t rip when you try to wrap the corners of a box. Since discount department stores sell high-quality name brand items for a discount, they have all the top of the line expensive wrapping paper without the expensive price tag. I just got 4 rolls of Christmas wrap from HomeGoods last week and it is heavenly. (Read all about discount department stores HERE.)

 

3. Dollar Stores

Dollar store wrapping paper has come a long way. In the last few years, Dollar Tree has stepped up their wrapping paper designs game and they have some really cute stuff–all for $1. It’s not the thickest, but it still works. Plus they have ribbon, gift boxes, and greeting cards.

 

4. DIY Your Own

Ever thought of making your own gift wrap? All you really need is some craft paper (or any paper), some rubber stamps, and ink. The rustic farmhouse look is still so popular. Just stamp some fun designs on craft paper and wrap your gift. Complete with twine or a fancy gold ribbon and voila.

 

5. Recycle

Similar to making your own gift wrap, you can also recycle what you have lying around your home. Old newspaper (the industrial look 😉 ), sheets of music (super classy), how about a map (modern chic)? Use what you already have. Not only is it totally “in”–modern & cool–but you don’t need to waste money or resources to make a gift look amazing.

 

6. Create A Gift Basket

By creating a gift basket, you don’t even need to use gift wrap, although a bow is always nice. Check out my tutorial on how to make a gift basket for some tips and ideas to make your own.

 

Those are my 6 ways to save on gift wrap. How do you usually wrap your gifts?